His Secret Sin

In his need to see her, he’d forgotten the key to the cuff. He was going to have to keep her locked in this room for a considerable time, so she didn’t hurt herself. It wasn’t what he wanted to do, but until she came around to who he was and that she wasn’t leaving, he was going to have to keep her in this prison.

Getting to his feet, he walked toward the door. “I’ll be back with some food.” He saw the tray his father had left in the corner, and it pissed him off.

“I won’t say anything about who you are, or what you do. I don’t know anything.”

“We were attacked tonight, Belle. My enemies found where we were, and your father got caught in the crossfire. It wasn’t what I wanted to happen, but it did, and now I’ve got to fix it. If I let you leave, you’ll be killed. I’m taking care of your dad. If you leave, I will remove all security around your father that I’ve put in place.”

“My father can afford it.”

“Yes, and your father is in a coma unable to take care of his own needs.”

“I can take care of him.”

“You’re willing to take that risk rather than stay here.”

“I don’t want to be near a liar. A liar and a cheat. What kind of woman would marry you?”

He laughed. “The kind that is doing her duty. My fiancée is not someone I would pick. She’s who has been picked for me, and I can promise you, I have never touched her. I have no intention of touching her.”

“You were still going to continue seeing me?”

“I had every intention of building a life with you.” He put the tray he’d picked up on the edge of the bed and sat down beside Belle. Placing his hand on her stomach, he stared at her. “My baby could be here right now, Belle. You and me could have made a boy or a girl.”

“What?”

“I came inside you, and as I did, I knew I wasn’t going to let you go. You’re mine. You will always be mine, and there’s no getting away from that.”

“No.”

“Yes. There is a chance you could be pregnant, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Before she could shove his hand away, he left, picking up the tray. At the door, he turned back to look at her. “For what it’s worth, I do actually love you, Belle.”

He closed the door, not giving her time to dispute his claim. He had hoped to tell her in a more romantic and humble setting, but that decision had been taken from him.

Carrying the tray through to the kitchen, he tossed the soup or porridge, or vomit, he didn’t know what, into the trash. Cleaning up the dishes, he opened the fridge and got to work making her a sandwich.

As he was spreading the bread with some olive butter, he paused as he noticed his hands were shaking.

He’d never been the kind of guy to shake.

Staring down at him, he thought about Belle, and he clenched his teeth together. Throwing the knife across the kitchen, he turned and slammed his fist into the glass cabinet, before throwing the blender off the counter as well.

Gripping the edge of the granite worktop, he took several deep breaths. The rage continued to flood his veins, and his temples pounded with it.

Calm down.

He had to remain calm. Making any decisions now would ruin everything. After another deep breath, he stepped over the glass, tossed the bread, which could have shards of glass, into the trash, and started again, away from the mess he’d created. He wrapped his cut and bleeding knuckles in a towel so he didn’t ruin more of Belle’s food.

“You okay?” Richard asked.

“You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on my father.”

“Already done. He’s out for the count. I’m going to ask again, are you okay?”

“Yep. Absolutely nothing wrong.” He cut the bread into little triangles before turning toward his not-friend. “Do you know what happened?”

He had intended to come and talk to his father, but after his little spat with Belle, he knew it was useless. He’d only kill him.

“It was Angelo. He attacked with the Russians. The rest of the capos and The Boss know. You have a meeting tomorrow night once they can do some damage control.”

“Right, of course.”

“Also, your father has made The Boss and the Durantes aware of Belle’s presence.”

Diego burst out laughing, and once he started, he couldn’t seem to stop himself.

“I don’t think any of this is funny.”

“That’s because you’re not me. Ignore me.” He bent forward, laughing so hard his stomach hurt. “Everything is so fucked.”

“Will they kill her?”

“No, they won’t. Believe it or not, the mafia don’t shy away from a mistress. Only when that mistress gets a little too big for her boots, if you know what I mean.” He didn’t want Belle to be his mistress.