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“Get him out of here and find me the guy who paid him!” I demand.
“Right on it boss.”
I leave the office seething and turn to Josh.
“Josh, I’m not sure why or who but someone wanted to hurt Bella on purpose tonight. I need this to be the team’s main priority until we find out what’s going on. I want eyes on Bella 24 hours.”
Josh looks at me like I am overreacting which maybe I am but he knows not to question me.
Back at my apartment I feel a wave of homesickness or is it loneliness- I am not sure. I pour myself a scotch and rack my brains trying to think of who would want to hurt Bella and I keep coming to the same conclusion. Claire. It has to be connected to Claire.
Claire and I were childhood sweethearts. Well, that is what she told everyone. We had known each other from being very young and dated on and off throughout school until our early twenties. Claire was always more into me than I was to her but she was an attractive and nice person so I continued with our relationship. Claire started to demand more commitment. She wanted marriage and children. This was when I knew I needed to end things with her.
Unfortunately, I didn’t deal with the situation well and completely misread Claire. Heartbreakingly, she committed suicide. I do blame myself for her death; if I had done things differently, she would still be alive. Her death still haunts me. Therefore, I decided not to have a relationship since. I don’t deserve to be loved. I am also afraid that I may again break someone else’s heart.
Claire’s family have always blamed me, her brother especially. Her brother told me that I would pay, that he would rip my heart out like I had theirs. It has been ten years since Claire had died but the guilt I felt hasn’t faltered.
Immediately after Claire’s death, I moved to America and set up King Security with Josh- I had to protect my family. I didn’t care about me but I always worried for their safety. Could this situation with Bella be down to Claire’s brother? How would he know about her? I decide to ring Dave who has been assigned to watch Bella in hospital. He informs me she’s sleeping and he is outside her room. Hopefully she will be able to come home tomorrow. But she needs to be looked after. Chloe must get back to work and Bella hasn’t told her parents what has happened as she doesn’t want them to worry. Bella must come and stay with me.
When I arrive at the hospital the next day, Bella has just finished her lunch and is looking much more like her usual self. She gives me one of her smiles that does something to my heart. She’s not fond of the idea of staying with me- of course she likes her independence. But after some persuasion from myself and the doctor advising her she can’t go home alone, she agrees. I decide to take her to my family home, Kingston Manor.
Kingston is in its own grounds and the security is very tight. We pull up to the gate entrance and I put my window down.
“Good afternoon, Mr. King. Miss.” The member of the security team nods and dips his cap to Bella. “It’s good to see you sir. My deepest condolences, your father is greatly missed.”
“Indeed, he is, thank you,” I reply.
The gates open and I drive down the stone driveway which is lined with trees. It’s a minute or two before the trees start to clear and you get a view of the house. Bella gasps and her eyes widen.
“Damien is this your house?” she asks full of amazement.
“Yes. It belonged to my parents and now to me. It’s a breathtaker isn’t it. Even after spending most of my childhood here, I am still in awe when I return. I never appreciated it as a child but I have so many happy memories of growing up here with my family,” I say with fondness. Bella’s eyes meet mine and I feel a well of emotion. I look away and shake it off- what is wrong with me.
George is waiting to greet us as he opens Bella’s door.
“Good afternoon, Miss White,” he says, as gentlemanly as ever.
“Please George, call me Bella.”
George nods, accepting her request. I walk round the car and pass the keys to George. I pick up Bella with a clean swoop and walk up the steps through the double wooden doors.
“Damien, I can walk you know put me down!” Bella giggles and smacks my shoulder playfully.
“No, you are going straight to bed. You have just come out of hospital, you’ve had a busy day of being poked and prodded, and it was only last night you almost… well you gave us all a fright. I am putting you to bed and I will wait on you hand and foot. Whatever you need, your wish is my command,” I say as I walk through the house and up the stairs to my bedroom. I watch Bella’s face as she takes in the house. I can’t wait to show her it properly once she’s up to it. I lay her on the bed, and she lets out a yawn.
“You need to sleep beautiful.” I take off her shoes, pull back the covers and she snuggles in. I stand to leave her.
“Damien don’t go, please will you lie with me?” she asks with innocence.
How can I say no? I kick off my shoes and lie down beside her. She snuggles up to me and puts her head on my chest. I kiss the top of her head and breathe her in. That smell, that sweet smell that makes me feel like I’m home. We both fall asleep in each other’s arms.
I wake and the room is pitch black. I look at my watch and it’s 8pm. I hadn’t realised how tired I was. Ordinarily I have trouble sleeping but with Bella, sleep is so easy. Bella starts to stir.
“Hey there beautiful how are you feeling?” I kiss her forehead and give her a little squeeze.
“Good, I think, I’m a little hungry.” She says with a stretch.
I’m glad she is. Bella’s had her stomach pumped and been on all sorts of drips to flush out her system. Being hungry is a good sign.
