Bella #1 (Sagatori Family Saga #1) (10 page)

My tunnel vision blocked everything in the room. Sh
e’
d been crying. Sad. Heart broken. Her father asked me to come here today hoping
I’
d marry his daughter. The payment of choice, a safe and comfortable future for his princess.

He'd leave her a fortune, but h
e’
d been worried someone would take it all away from her. And h
e’
d had been right to worry. She was his only Heir.

Bell
a’
s fragile, but strong. She was like a flower. They wilt if not kept watered every once in a while, but could survive harsh summer heat. Her tears were
n’
t coming from weakness; the
y’
d been coming from a place of love and sadness. Sh
e’
d been sad; her father had for one, just told her he was going to die. And two, he'd insisted she marry someone that she did
n’
t love but she will on day.

I did
n’
t know why I agreed to marry her. I guess I could
n’
t bear the thought she was going to be thrown to the wolves by marrying Casconi. I knew what that sick fucker was capable of. I knew his days were numbered. H
e’
d eat her alive. H
e’
s tough but only led by greed, putting himself first. No heart or a soul to speak of. He could
n’
t protect her and tha
t’
s why I agreed before sh
e’
d come in.

Since Rebecca died, nothin
g’
s been the same. Food had no flavor, work was bland and boring. I went to work and home, a penthouse in the sky above the city looking down on all of the chaos. We had a house. W
e’
d only lived there a month before she was killed. I could
n’
t go back after she died. I tried once, but could
n’
t do it.
I’
d never loved anyone the way I loved her. She was my queen and together we were going to take over Chicago. All of that feels like a lifetime ago.

“
Jax will take you home
.
” Anthony ordered Bella.

Anthony Sagatori does
n’
t ask, he tells. And if yo
u’
re a smart man you do as yo
u’
re told. Just thinking about the things he could do to someone was enough to shake them up a bit.

Bella stood next to me in front of the large wooden desk. She leaned forward bracing herself along the edge
.“
Papa? Am I dismissed
?
” She asked flippantly, Definitely the only person that could get away with speaking to him that way.

“
Go home Isabella
.
” His focus found me, his head nodding towards the door.

My hand extended to Bell
a’
s, I entangled my fingers with hers. She needed to feel safe.

Finding our hands, she wiped another tear away, she nodded. She did
n’
t look back to her father as she walked to the door.

Tony and Anthon
y’
s assistant jumped to their feet when we left the office and closed the door behind us
.“
Bella? You okay
?
” The assistant asked.

“I’
ll see you later
.
” She did
n’
t stop to speak with them.

“
Bella wait
.
” Tony said. Bella faced the elevator, but did
n’
t turn around. He approached, giving a knowing nod. He knew something was wrong, I could see it in his eyes
.“
Where are you taking her
?
”

“
Not your concern
.
” I turned nose to nose with him.

“
She
is my concern Moretti. She will
always
be my concern
.
” He was
n’
t going to back down and even though I wanted to put my gun to his forehead I wanted to respect him for it.

“
You guard Bella
?
”

“
Yes
,
” He gripped her bag.

“
Not anymore we are going back to Chicago
.
” I dismissed him.

“
Chicago? Who the hel
l
…” He growled at me. Not smart.

My gun was out of my jacket before he could finish his fucking statement. The tip pressed flush against his temple
.“I’
ll fucking end you right where you stand. Isabella Sagatori will be my wife and you will continue to be nothing. You ever speak to me with such disrespect again
I’
ll bury you in your mothers front yard, do you understand
?
”

“
Tony
!
” The boss growled from his office.

He nodde
d“
Your bag
.
” He lifted it to Bella, but she was
n’
t paying him any attention and I wondered if she heard anything tha
t’
d just taken place.

“I’
ll take it
.
” I reached for the strap and gripped it into my hand.

“
Hold her hand, sh
e’
s terrified of elevators
.
” Tony finished with a snide grin and walked backwards.

My face remained hard as I pressed the first floor button. I turned towards Bella seeing her eyes were closed and her jaw was tightened. I reached for her hand, tucking it tightly into my chest. She remained silent.

The doors opened and I gave a tug for her to follow. We left the building and stepped out onto the concreate. She seemed like a zombie. Silent. No expression. Eyes blank and lifeless. I watched her just to make sure she was okay. Honestly, I did
n’
t know what to say or do.

When we walked through the glass doors, the wind picked up, blowing her over a few inches, I pulled her close when she did
n’
t fight against it. I covered her shoulders with my arm and tucked her into my side.

She stepped into the limo willingly. I closed the door and stood at the window watching her for a brief moment before looking up to Sagator
i’
s office seeing him watching as well. I could
n’
t imagine what either one of them were going through.

“
Have you eaten
?
” I asked when
I’
d gotten into the car.

“I’
m not hungry
.
” She answered flatly.

“
I did
n’
t ask if you were hungry, Bella, I asked if yo
u’
ve eaten
.
”

“
No
.
” She nodded, meeting my stare.

“
Okay,
I’
ll feed you
.
” I gave a nod to Mickie and he pulled the car out of the parking lot.

***

The short drive was quiet. She had
n’
t spoken and I did
n’
t know what to say. When we drove up to the restaurant, she sighed.

“
I look like death warmed over
.
” She pinched her cheeks.

“
I think you look beautiful
.
” She was beautiful and real.

“
Thanks
,
” She whispered as she closed her eyes.

Mickie opened Bell
a’
s door. He took her hand and she stepped out brushing against me as I stepped out after her.

“
Will it just be the two of you Mr. Moretti
?
” The hostess asked.

“
Yes, thank you
.
” I nodded.

I pressed my hand to Bell
a’
s back, offering support, as we walked through the dark restaurant. We were seated in a quiet corner and left with menus.

“
They have the best lasagna here
.
” I offered some conversation. She opened her menu staring off into space.

“
I thought h
e’
d live forever
.
” She mumbled.

I leaned forward and reached for her hand. When my fingers touched hers, she pulled away.

“
My father is crazy, Jax.
I’
m not marrying anyone
.
” She scoffed.

Nodding, I replied
.“
He wants wha
t’
s best for you
.
”

“
You offering to marry me is insane
.
” Her head fell. I wanted to know what she was thinking
.“I’
m really sorry about your wife. I really did
n’
t know
.
” She sipped her water right after the waitress had sat it down in front of her.

I ordered our food and waited for her to relax. She was so tense. I could
n’
t say I blamed her or thought she should act any particular way. Sh
e’
d been hit with a lot and taking it all pretty well
I’
d say.

“
Moretti, I did
n’
t put all of that together last night. Yo
u’
re the Chicago boss
.
” My eyes rose
.“
You were at my mothe
r’
s funeral. I remember you being there. Papa said I had to stay away from the men
.
” She rolled her eyes. She didn't like rules, that was obvious.

I did
n’
t think sh
e’
d ever noticed me
.“
Yeah, my entire family was there
.
”

“
I know your brother Adam
.
” her hands mindlessly played with the silverware.

My brows rose
.“
How
?
” He wasn't someone that she should be associating with. However,
I’
m not either. Her father was smart to keep her away from the famiglia her whole life.

“
I went on a date with him once
.
” She said with apprehension.

“
A date? As in just one
?
”

Her head ticked back and forth
.“
Technically it was two, but wh
o’
s counting
.
” Her eyes began wondering around the room.

“
And
?
”

“
He was a little too obnoxious for me. I was in a rebellious phase. Honestly, I think it was my name he wanted to date. The bos
s’
s daughter. He showed me off the entire time we were out. Get in with the boss and your golden, right
?
” I leaned forward on the table, she rested her chin in her hands.

My hands combed through my hair. Standing, I removed my jacket, folding it on the back of my chair
.“
You wo
n’
t be around Adam, alone again
.
” I said taking my seat.

“
Yo
u’
re nothing like your brother
.
” She suggested as her eyes his something behind them.

“
Thank God
.
” I laughed.

She smiled
.“
I really do appreciate what you did for me last night and what yo
u’
re trying to do today, but
I’
m not marrying you or anyone for the matter. Your wife was a lucky woman
.
” She said while unwrapping her cloth napkin into her lap. I mimic her actions
.“
Hmm
.
” She hummed.