CHAPTER SIX

—Bella—

 

Jax slid between the elevator doors with precision, while his tailored suit jacket hugged his arms and chest. I leaned forward from the sofa reaching for my phone that lay on the floor. My eyes never left him, his hair was set in a messy, sexy look, his jaw had a days’ worth of stubble shadowing his face, his lips were full, and eyes dark. Two other men shadowed him closely, and I recognized one of them from last night as his driver.

He didn’t notice me Initially, he was preoccupied with the phone he palmed in his large hand. Why is he here? I’d been on the backside of the room but wished I were still at the desk. It wouldn’t have been so obvious for me to stand next to him if I were already standing there. Right? Not like now where I’d have to approach him.

And then I remembered he was married. Damn it! I’d done a lot of things in my life I was certainly not proud of, but a married man wasn’t one of those things. I’d never change my stance on that. I don’t need to borrow another woman’s husband. One day I’ll get one of my very own.             

So if I approached him it’d only be to thank him, again. That wouldn’t seem desperate right? It’s the ladylike thing to do, I told myself.

I grabbed my phone from the floor and walked towards the desk where he’d just approached. Emily was still on the phone, so I had a second.

“Hey.” I smiled softly.

His body stilled for a brief moment then slowly turned in my direction. “Bella.” His face was flat and dangerous. I’d seen that look before. I’d been terrified of that look when I had seen it on others, but not Jax. With Jax, I surrendered to it in that moment.

My eyes locked on his. He was so attractive; his jaw was hard and strong. Muscles peeked from every point of entrance where his suite was concerned. His collar looked as if it was strangling his neck because he was so large. He worked out. A lot!

Tingles erupted, catching me off guard.

I turned to Emily who’d just ended her call. Her face was full-on shock. She mouthed, “Oh my god”. And I lifted my hand to my mouth attempting to hide the smile that threatened.

I cleared my throat hiding the laugh. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

Jax’s posture became uncomfortable as he stepped back against the marble desktop.

I smiled because he seemed so real, too bad he was taken. I dropped my head concentrating on the floor trying to conceal my Interest in him.

“You okay?” he asked.

I lifted my head and locked my gaze with his. “Me? Yeah, I’m great.” Such a lie. I was disappointed. Maybe it was true what they said. Maybe you do want what you can’t have. Food for thought I suppose.

“What’re you doing here?” I asked again.

He hesitated. “I’m here to see your father.”

“Oh? Why?” This didn’t sound right. Jax is a business man, not an errand boy as I called them. Papa’s hiding things from me lately, and while I didn’t know the ins and outs of his work, I did know something was going on. I knew whatever it was, was not good.

He straightened his tie. He was nervous and it was kinda cute. Sweeping his tongue across his sweet lips, he answered, “Bella, its business. Not your concern.”

I saw red. “I see.” Did he just hush me? I didn’t like being hushed.

“What do you see, Bella?” His eyes penetrated mine.

Holy shit.

My body hummed.

“Uhh-,” I was speechless, definitely a first. And had I mentioned extremely pissed off because I didn’t like being hushed. I’m a woman and we were never told anything about the business, but let me be very clear, I never liked that! I was a smart woman and never appreciated being treated like an idiot. The truth was, I could run this business better than any man.

And one day I would!

His lips rose at the corner of his mouth, very aware of my intense reaction.

The door opened and Tony strutted out, Papa stood directly behind him with a concerned stare.

“Moretti,” Papa said, nodding him into his office.

Jax offered an apprehensive smile and followed him inside. Papa didn’t even make eye contact with me as he closed the door.

“What the hell is going on, Tony?” I sighed into the palms of my hands. 

“That man is beautiful,” Emily sighed and nodded her head.

Tony cleared his throat. “Ladies, you haven’t a clue who that was, do you?”

“Who cares, he’s beautiful.” Emily threw me a wink. She’d been trying to make him jealous, and I do believe it was working.

I hid my face with my hands. “Who is he?”

“He’s the boss of the Chicago outfit.”

Holy shit! I did not see that one coming. “That’s why Papa knew him last night,” I said mostly to myself.

“Yeah, so tell me why he just happened to be there to save you?” he asked in a hushed voice so the men who waited for Jax didn’t hear.

“You’re worried?” I asked Tony,

“Fuck yeah, I’m worried.” Tony was always a strong Sicilian man. But I could see a crack in his armor when it came to Jax.

“Too bad he’s married.” I jutted my hands to the counter in surrender.

“Oh, that sucks.” Emily typed something on her phone then looked up and threw Tony a grin.

“Seriously, Bella?” he growled. I had never been allowed near the “bosses.” I’d always been protected from them. I guess Papa worried they would use me against him.

“Kidding.” I raised my hands in surrender. “I guess I’m ready to go. Papa is obviously busy today.”

“No, your father wants to speak with you.” Tony’s face fell. Something was wrong.

“What?” My heart tumbled. I knew he was pissed at me and Tony’s expression solidified that.

He shook his head. “I can’t get into this, not my place.” He raised his hands.

“What’s wrong?” Emily stood leaning on the marble.

He shook his head again. “I can’t, I’m sorry.”

Emily’s eyes moved to mine with question.

I shrugged. “I have no idea.”

The phone rang, Emily reached to answer it, and her eyes widened as she met my stare. “Yes, sir.” She hung up. “He wants you in there.” She whispered.

I folded my brows wondering what he would want to speak with me about with Jax in the room. I dreaded the lecture I was sure I’d be getting about last night, but why would he drag this stranger into it.  I shuffled towards the door that no one had bothered to get up and open for me, which was completely unlike Papa. He’d always been a gentleman first, for me anyway.

Jax had been in there for a good thirty minutes and now he’d requested I go in. My stomach did somersaults fearing something was really wrong.

I gently opened the door, seeing Jax sitting in one of the two chairs directly in front of Papa’s desk. His back was to me and he didn’t move. Papa’s looked towards the window and his hands were folded together. 

“Sit.” Papa gestured without looking at me.

I did as I was told. My posture was erect as my hands tightly twisted in my lap, and my heart pounded in my chest. I was convinced something was very, very, wrong. I was scared, but I remained silent. My eyes slid between Papa and Jax desperately waiting for someone to speak.

“What’s wrong? Why is he here?” I blurted. I couldn’t take the suspense another second.

Jax’s head fell.

“What’s going on?” Why was Papa holding a meeting for a boss in his office? He never did that. Not at this office anyway.

A few beats tumbled through my chest in slow motion. Before he responded, he raised his head to the window again. “Isabella, I’ve decided I’m not going to go through with your promising to Salvatore.” His hands were still folded tightly together on top of his desk.

My eyes widened with relief. I never actually thought he would, but there was always that possibility in the back of my mind. I felt so relieved.

Jax cleared his throat and with a nod from Papa, he began, “Bella, your father...” He paused, blowing out a quiet breath. “Has promised you to me.” His eyes turned to mine with ownership.

I leaned closer to hear everything Jax was saying. I couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“What?” I hissed.

“Your father has just recently found out that he’s sick.” His eyes narrowed in Papa’s direction.

“Papa? What?” No, that can’t be true. I turned to him. “You’re sick?” My mouth gaped with question. “You can’t be sick. There’s no way.”

Jax stood and crossed the office to Papa’s bar. He used to say, “A brandy a day keeps the doctors away.” Jax poured three glasses of brandy. He returned handing one to Papa, me, and then said, “Do you mind?”

Papa shook his head and threw back his own brandy. His Adams apple bounced as he swallowed swiftly. My fingers curled around the crystal in my hands. Why did this feel like the end? Like the last meal right before the execution. My hands subconsciously brought the glass to my lips as I took a long hard sip of the hot liquid. I’d drank everything in the glass before I’d even realized it and quickly my tongue and throat began to burn.

Jax sat in the chair next to me once again and looked at Papa. A small bow from my father’s salt and pepper head signaled Jax to speak once more.

“Your father has been diagnosed with… Cancer.” He shifted in his chair. He reached for my trembling hands and leaned towards me. I guessed he was attempting to bring me comfort, but it wasn’t working. My body was ice cold and filled with nothing but fear. My tears were falling uncontrollably and I hated that I couldn’t control myself.

“What can we do?” I asked.

He turned to my father before his face fell. When he began shaking his head I knew what they were trying to tell me.

“No!” I screamed. My chest began to heave in and out with harsh shallow breaths.

“Bella.” Jax grabbed me tight to his chest. “Bella, it’s okay. Stop!” He rocked me. His hands rubbed my head and back as he attempted to bring me peace, but there was no peace. Not after this.

I pulled away from Jax and wiped my face and tried to put myself together. He watched me carefully. “Why are you telling me this?” I turned in my chair. “Papa? What’s going on?”

He nodded to Jax and lifted his glass. “Isabella, there wasn’t an easy way of telling you that I was dying.” My hands moved to my mouth, holding the screams inside. “But this has to be done.” Jax returned with an extra-large pour of brandy. Papa offered a grateful nod. “There are things that need to be sorted out. I saw that you felt comfortable with Jax last night and I saw that as an opportunity. There’re many things that have to be settled before I’m no longer able to.”

Jax reached for my hand and squeezed really hard. The grip caused a separation of feeling like I was in limbo and numbness took over.

“As you know I have many dealings and when I go, there will be many that will come to take over.”

“Papa, I don’t care about that!” I screeched through the dryness that had formed at my throat.

“Isabella! Listen to me! For God’s sake listen.” He slammed his hands on his desk. Fear rippled through me as he yelled. He never yelled at me. I shuddered. “They are going to come, Isabella. They will take over everything that I’ve worked so hard to build. Taking it all from you.” He gulped half of the glass. “I’ve made a decision for your best interest.”

I turned to Jax seeing his face had hardened. “What?” I turned back towards Papa.

“Isabella, you’ll marry before I die. You’ll marry because it’s the only thing that will protect you.” His stern voice echoed through my ears. The air in the room was thick, making the breath in my lungs making it difficult to breath.

“And you want me to marry Jax?” I gasped through the falling tears.

“Jax Moretti is a powerful man Isabella; he will take over when I die.” His head fell. I knew it was weakness I saw on his face. I’d never seen that from him. Ever. But I had no doubt that’s what It was.

“Over my dead body.” Bad choice of words.

“Isabella! You’ll do what I’ve asked. I will draw up the necessary documents and we’ll have a ceremony. I’m sure you will love him one day.” His hands ran through his hair as he stood and walked to the window. “You’ll do as you’re told. If you don’t, I can’t protect you.” His eyes were hard. “It’s decided.”

“Papa.” I stood. “There has to be another way. I could take over Sagatori trucking.”

“A woman? Isabella, a woman can’t lead this business. There’s too much that comes with this responsibility, you know that. It can’t be done.” His tone was firm.

“I’m sorry, Papa, but I’m not marrying a man that I don’t love. I want to be in love.” I pleaded as I held onto his arm.

He didn’t react.

The love and respect I held for my father was infinite. I’d always been a daddy’s girl. I was Anthony Sagatori’s princess. I was and always would be his pride and joy, but I would not do what he’d asked me to do. I wouldn’t!

“Why Jax?” I asked. I didn’t hate Jax, but I didn’t know him either.

Papa turned to me. “Because he has power, Isabella. He will protect you.”

My face hardened. “Please don’t make me do this.” I barely kept the tears at bay. I hadn’t even had time to grieve the fact he was dying, and now I had to mourn my own life.

His hands met the top of my head as I wrapped my arms around his. “What else is there to do? I’m at a loss. Please forgive me.” he said.

“Do you know what you’re suggesting?” I asked.

“I will give you everything.” Jax offered.

I wanted to stand up for myself, but I could barely believe what had just happened. A man who barely knew me had just offered to marry me to get what he wanted; to be the boss of bosses.

“Isabella, you’ll marry Jax.”

My eyes fell to the floor. I’d never wanted to marry because I was ordered too. I didn’t want to marry just anyone. I wanted to be in love. I wanted to be swept off of my feet. I wanted to be adored and treasured. I wanted to wake up to see the man who stole my heart and padded it with his love. I wanted to have what my parents had. I wanted to marry my soulmate.

“Bella.” Jax approached me carefully. He was tall, muscles peeking through his suit.  His jaw tightened and brows wrinkled. He reached up to his neck and loosened his tie and the undid his button. His jacket slid off of his strong arms and dropped to the chair I’d been sitting in.

“I know this is probably the most difficult thing you’ve ever been hit with, with the exception of your mother’s passing.” His voice lowered. He moved forward and took my hands into his. “Let me take care of you. Protect you.”

“Jax, how could you marry me if you’re already married?”

His eyes fell to his left hand. “Bella, I’m not married.”

“Isabella,” Papa growled.

“No, it’s okay I’ll tell her. My wife passed away nine months ago. She was in an accident.” Pain, regret, and hate all swirled within the grays of his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know,” I gasped.

His head shook. “No, you didn’t and that’s okay.”

“Listen, I really appreciate everyone’s concern, but I’m not getting married. I can handle anything that those assholes throw at me.”

“Isabella, what would your mother say if she heard you speaking that way?”

“Sorry." I wasn’t. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “How much time do you have?”

“They gave me a year, maybe more. I don’t know.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

My body shoved into Papa’s. I gasped for air as the tears filled my breaking heart.

“It’s okay, princess. It’s all going to be okay.” He hugged me back. We stood like that for several minutes.

I stepped back as I held his face. “I love you, I’m so sorry this is happening to you.” I wiped the tears away from my cheeks with the sleeve of my sweater. “Is there nothing that can be done?”

“No.” He stepped away. “I’ve lived a good life. Don’t cry for me. I’ll be with your momma soon. We’ll watch over you together.”

I bowed into my sob.

He rounded his desk. “You’ll go with Jax and discuss this. Will that do?”

My eyes turned to Jax seeing him nod. Why would he do this? Why would a man put himself in danger? I knew the danger was real, Papa had warned me many times that someone in the family was out for him. I did understand why Papa was pushing me to do this, but I didn’t like it. I wanted to take over what my father had worked so hard to accomplish. I wanted to be in charge of the trucking company. The fact was, he’d never agree to that.