CHAPTER NINETEEN

—Jax—

 

“Are you feelin’ any pain?” I carried Bella over the threshold of the penthouse.

“No.” her head bobbed back and forth.

“Isabella!” Alessandra chirped as she ran from the kitchen to the entryway. “Oh my, I’m so glad you’re okay.” She made the sign of the cross then kissed her crucifix. She mimicked that gesture with everything she did. I’d found solace with the rosary beads Alessandra had given me the day of the shooting. Bella had only been in the hospital two days for observation. Seeing her like that… I knew then and there I couldn’t waste another day ignoring my feelings for her. I’d feel them out, explore them and what they meant. I continued through the corridor and sat her on the sofa. I’d have a nurse come in if she needed it. I wouldn’t let my mistake with the Bratva cause her any more discomfort than it already had.

“Tell me, Bella, what would you prefer for dinner?”

I sauntered to my office while Bella rested with Alessandra talking her ear off. I sat behind my desk pulling the drawer open seeing the small box I’d hidden months ago. Maybe it was time to take it out. My fingers traced the leather and then I slid the drawer closed once more.

I needed to deal with the people responsible for Bella’s shooting, Tommy’s death, the explosion at the warehouse that took seventeen soldiers. Orders needed to be given, and I was the one that had to give them.

“Boss.” Mickie slid inside my office closing the door behind him. When Mickie needed to talk business, like clockwork he’d turn up the radio anywhere he was. Paranoid as fuck. With good reason, of course. I waited patiently for him to follow through with his usual. Mickie wasn’t only my guard but my enforcer, he needed to keep a tight lip. “Boss, you’re not gonna like this shit.” He sucked on his toothpick, and I was suddenly grateful for the rock music that blared through my speakers.

“Yeah?” I emptied the .365 and began cleaning it as I listened.

“That thing you had me lookin’ into. That person you were worried about. Looks like you were on to somethin’. What do you want done?”

“Make a reservation, and leave no leftovers.” That was code for kill every fuckin’ one involved.

“Done, oh and Boss, what do you want me to do about replacing Tommy? Boss, you could use a cugine, but if I may… I wouldn’t right now. Could end badly for everyone. We need someone that’s up the ranks and has dealt with the problem at hand, might see shit comin’.”

“You recommenden’ someone, Mickie?” Fuck he knew how to drag shit out. I lay my gun on the desk thinking he may have a point, but I wasn’t completely convinced it was a great idea. I’d need to put my own selfishness aside right now as head of this family. Mickie held onto his toothpick and walked out of my office forgetting to turn down the music.

“Hey.” Bella entered just after he walked out.

“You’re supposed to be restin’.” I stood, turnin’ the music from rock to Nessun Dorma: Italian opera. I tapped the button bringin’ the sound down.

Bella’s eyes were teary. “You know this?”

She shook her head. “Tell me about it.” She leaned in pressing her hands together as she sat in the chair.

I watched how the music affected her. I’d not seen that on anyone ever. “Nessun Dorma means none shall sleep. It’s from the final act of Giacomo Puccini.” She smiled sweetly as the most beautiful music in the world played. “It’s been said that Puccini was the greatest composer for romantic opera, I’d agree.” She leaned in. “Pavarotti redid this piece in the 90’s. That’s what we’re listening to now.” She nodded. “The Prince falls in love with the beautiful but not so nice princess. Any man that wishes to marry her must answer three riddles and must answer correctly or face a beheading.”

“And he risks that for her? For someone, that’s mean to him?” With the tilt of her head, she asked confused.

“Of course, you see he loves her and feels nothing if not confident he’ll conquer the riddles and then, her love.” Her hand raised to her cheek swiping a fallen tear. I reached forward tapping the repeat button and listened as it played again. “Close your eyes, feel the music enter your soul. It doesn’t get better than this, Isabella.” Her hands tucked into her chest as she bathed in the music. My head fell back as I also listened while my hands gripped the edge of my desk. When my eyes opened I saw that she was swaying back and forth as if she was dancing to the waltz. She was beautiful.

When the music ended I turned the sound down and drew in a deep breath. “Are you feeling okay?” I asked again.

She shrugged. “I’m a bit sad. But I feel okay. A little woozy from the pain meds.” She shrugged again. “Oh, I wish I could see something like this in person.” She stood, tracing her hands over the stereo.

“Have you not been to the opera?” I questioned dipping my head in her direction. Her dainty fingers continued to dance with the music that quietly hummed throughout the room.

She shook her head. “No, never.” Her eyes closed as the music gripped her soul. She was falling in love. I smiled as she was turned away from me.

“I’ll download this to your iPhone.”

She turned. “Thank you.” Her eyes glistened with unknown reason. Maybe it was the music or the sadness she’d felt for Tommy dying, but I hadn’t seen that look in her eyes before tonight.

I’d try to see that gleam again.