Page 63 of The Belle and the Biker

I don’t answer. An uncomfortable silence drags out, and then he sighs.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my crap out on you. Anyway, I’m calling because your father called the bar. Said he’d been trying to reach you, but you weren’t answering your phone. Sounded like a total prick. I don’t blame you. And he said something about wanting to announce your engagement?”

“Jesus,” I groan. I sneak a glance at Savannah, who’s still staring blankly at the menu. “I am most definitely not that.” I don’t want to say “not engaged” out loud because if Savannah overhears that, she’ll freak out and get upset over nothing.

I get off the phone with Axl. I’ve got to nip this bullshit in the bud before my father goes any further with it.

“I need to step outside and make a call,” I tell her.

“Sure.” She shrugs.

I stalk outside and call my father. “What the hell is this bullshit with announcing an engagement? I don’t have time for your stupid crap. I’m working an undercover security detail,” I tell him, which is not a lie. I don’t want to tell him about Savannah because, knowing him, he’d find a way to try to mess with her, just to put pressure on me.

“You wouldn’t have to put yourself at risk if you’d stop being such a stubborn ass and come back home.”

“Home?” I mock him. “The place I wasn’t allowed to set foot in, or even acknowledge, until after my mother died? The place where I lived for three months before you shipped me off to military school?”

“That was seventeen years ago. Grow the fuck up and move on. You’ve made things very awkward with Astrid’s family. Astrid is still willing to marry you, but you’ve got a lot of apologizing to do.”

“You can either let this go, or I can release those voicemails you left for my mother,” I snap.

“Oh yeah? How will all that publicity help with your undercover security detail?”

He’s right, the bastard. Rage boils up inside me.

“Do not fuck with me. I can make things very unpleasant for you.” And I quickly hang up the phone.

I go back inside. The waiter brought coffee, and Savannah’s stirring it but not drinking.

“What’s on your mind? You seem upset. Is it because we left the dogs at the vet?”

“No, I’m not upset about that.” She lifts her shoulders in a slight shrug. “I’m glad that Buttercup and all her puppies will be okay.”

“What, then?” I persist.

She shrugs. “You’ll think it’s stupid.”

“I swear I won’t.”

“It’s just…this morning was incredible and everything I’ve always wanted.”

“Me too,” I say. “So I don’t get it. What’s wrong?”

She looks me in the eye. “I guess it hurts my feelings that we’re only together because my great-aunt paid you.”

I arch an eyebrow. “You really think that? I would have done it for free.”

She snorts in derision. “You don’t have to say that. You acted like you couldn’t wait to get rid of me when I was in New York, and you didn’t even bother to call or check up on me.”

“I called your aunt and checked up on you.

Several times a day. I thought you knew. You walked in on her a few times when she was talking to me.”

Her eyes widen in surprise.

“I didn’t want you to leave New York, but I thought you’d be safer in North Carolina.”

“That was you calling to check up on me all those times?” Her voice trembles. “My God. I’m a total idiot. Of course, it was.” Her eyes fill up with tears. “I just need a minute.” Her voice is shaking.

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