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“Do you want me to take that upstairs to her?” Richard asked.
“No. I will be handling all of Belle’s care. No one else.”
He left Richard alone in the kitchen. For now, he couldn’t give a fuck if it was protocol to have a civilian or an outsider in his home. Let him explore. Let him find shit. He couldn’t give two fucks right about now. Entering her room, he closed the door, noticing there was no lock on the inside. Great, just fucking great.
“Who is there?”
“It’s me,” he said.
She relaxed a little but tensed up immediately after.
“I don’t want you to be here.”
“Tough. Your dad wouldn’t approve of me starving you, and I don’t approve of such methods. You will eat this sandwich or I will feed you.”
His knuckles hadn’t bled through the towel, so he considered that a good thing.
“I don’t want to eat it.”
“Belle, don’t piss me off. Not right now. You hate me, I get it, but do you think your father when he gets out of his coma is going to be able to cope knowing you’re sick?” He didn’t like playing the dad card, but he was more than happy to do so if it got him the results he needed.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t. If you hated me, you’d be able to deal with this a whole lot more. You love me, and that is what kills you.”
“You don’t even know what love is.”
“I know what love is. I’ve just never felt it before until you.”
She flinched as he touched her cheek.
“Eat.” He put the small triangle into her hand and waited. He expected her to throw it at him, but she clearly had gotten past the childish stage as she handed him the bread.
“I don’t love you.”
“I know.”
He wasn’t going to argue with her.
“I think what you did was unfair,” she said.
“Baby, what I did was fucking awful, but I still did it and it got me you. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Eat your sandwich, and then I’ll take you for a shower.”
“I don’t want you to touch me.”
“I won’t. I said I’ll take you for a shower, not fuck you.” Anyone else, he’d have killed by now because of the effort. With Belle, it was so much different. Running a hand down his face, he ignored his own hunger to watch her eat.
“You need to eat something,” she said, taking the second triangle of sandwich. “Please, share this with me.”
“I made it for you.”
“And you’re not eating.”
“You’re going to take care of me.”
“I don’t want you to starve. I’m not a monster here.”
“I know. I’m the fucking monster.” He took the triangle and shoved it in his mouth, chewing on the food. There was no taste. He didn’t want to eat anything because he felt sick to his stomach.
He’d nearly lost Belle today, and that was enough to send him over the edge.
Stroking his fingers down her arm, he ignored the flinch, and touched her pulse. Still alive. Still breathing.
He couldn’t ask for more.
****
Belle sensed a change within Diego. The way he touched her, it was like he was checking she was still alive. His touch was so gentle. She wanted to know her father was okay, and above all else, regardless of everything, she wanted Diego to throw his arms around her and hug her tight.
What kind of person did that make her? She wanted to be held by the very man who had lied to her. Who was seeing someone else.
“Did you eat the other part of the sandwich?” There was no way she could eat anything else, not after what they’d been through.
“It’s all gone.” He slid off the bed. “It’s time for your shower.”
“I don’t want to take a shower.”
“I didn’t ask you, Belle. I’m telling you. I’ll be back in a moment.” She heard the door close behind him, leaving her alone.
Rubbing at her temple, she thought about what he said. Was it possible for her to be pregnant? She knew it only took one time, but could she be that unlucky?
No.
There’s no way she could be pregnant.
Or could she?
With her hand on her stomach, she couldn’t feel anything. There was no baby, but then, she wasn’t a pregnancy test.
How had her life gotten so fucked?
Again, Melanie.
If she’d not been in that stupid club, she wouldn’t be here now, and wouldn’t be at Diego’s mercy.
He returned to the room, without saying a word. His cologne was heavy in the air. She flinched as he touched her arms, and twisted the key in the lock. When they gave, she felt huge relief. She didn’t try to make a run for it. Knowing her luck, she would fall down the stairs and break her neck, which wasn’t in her plans any time soon.
Diego helped her off the bed and with his hands on her hips, led her out of the bedroom. He stood directly behind her.
