Copyright
This book is work of fiction. Names, characters, places,and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental
Copyright© 2015 Kimberly Blalock
Bella #1 A Sagatori family saga by Kimberly Blalock
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Cover art created by Kimberly Blalock
Copy and Line Editing- April Newman
Interior Design-Kimberly Blalock
A Mafia
Romance
Chapter 1
Bella
Chapter 2
Bella
Chapter 3
Bella
Chapter 4
Jax
Chapter 5
Bella
Chapter 6
Bella
Chapter 7
Jax
Chapter 8
Bella
Chapter 9
Bella
Chapter 10
Bella
Chapter 11
Jax
Chapter 12
Bella
Dedication
This book is dedicated to
My Nephew EJ
And
My friend Jennifer Moran.
You were both taken away suddenly this year. Your spirits were amazing, your love was as bright as the sun, and you loved everyone without judgment.
You are both angels watching over us, now. Thank you for allowing me to know you. May your beautiful spirits rest in peace as you sit in the kingdom of God.
More books from Kimberly
The Angel Trilogy
His Angel
My Demons
Our Sins
A Sagatori family saga
Bella #2 coming soon
All books can be found on the (Book) page
at the below link
www.kimberlyblalock.net
http://facebook.com/kimblalockangel
Stay connected with my books and updates
Chapter 1
Bella
My lungs filled with air and quickly released, while my bare feet took me away from what’d happened. The trees were thick and the burn from impact as I came into contact with each one I passed was horrific. Leaves crunched beneath my feet and tree limbs snapped with each giant stride I took towards my freedom.
The highway was close, it had to be. We came in on the highway. Oh God. Don’t panic Bella. Just run.
My breathing became shallow and heavy, sweat dripped from my forehead. Heat rose from my body. I’d pass out soon if I didn’t stop running. I needed to get to the highway. I needed help.
My eyes flickered into the distance when a bright light flashed against the trees.
Yes…
I’d found it.
My feet relentlessly moved me forward; my breath became harsher, leaving my throat and lungs to burn. I needed to rest. I’d been running for thirty minutes, at least.
I burst through the last set of thin trees as a bright light blinded me. A loud screeching screamed through my ears, leaving me to gasp as I pulled my hands to cover my face.
The car was going to hit me…
My body stiffened ready for impact. Why the hell was I just standing there? I tried to get out of the way but remained where I was because I’d been frozen with panic. I didn’t know which way to go, which way to run. A horn blared from the on-coming vehicle as it turned. The headlights shifted into another direction, then skidded into the oncoming traffic as it stopped on the shoulder on the other side.
Oh, thank God!
A breath gushed from my lungs with pure gratitude that I hadn’t been hit. The adrenalin that seeped through my veins before I ran to this highway crashed, leaving me falling to my knees in the middle of the road.
My feet were bare and sore. Panties and a tank were the only clothing that covered my frozen body. My knees gave out, hitting the pavement hard. Pain shot like lightning up my thighs.
“Are you fucking crazy?” A voice reverberated.
I attempted to raise myhead so that I could beg for help, only to sag against the pavement further. I wanted to jump to my feet and get the hell out of there and call Papa, but my arms and legs felt like one-hundred pound weights were tied to them and gave out against my strong protest. I was exhausted and out of breath. My throat burned. I’d just run a mile and I did so without stopping to catch my breath once. Exhaustion was an understatement.
“Hello? Hey!” The strong voice was closer and the tone had descended from cross to circumspect, leaving me hopeful.
My hand crawled along the rough pavement so that I could brace myself to rise. I saw dried blood covering my hands and nails. The bright light shined, leaving it easy to see what I’d done earlier.
“Let’s get you out of the road.” The man that once yelled angrily said with vigilance.
Warm hands covered my shoulders, then my arms, wrapping me into safety and off of the road. I worked my tongue in my mouth to speak but it was difficult and felt like cotton had been stuffed into my cheeks. I needed to call Papa before it was too late.
“Help.” My voice was almost inaudible because of the dryness but I cried out as loud as I could. I was jostled against his chest as he crossed the highway with composed strides taking us away from the oncoming traffic. More horns blared and bright lights flashed causing my eyes to close tightly with my head and nose pressing against the silk of his shirt.
The air was bitter cold, leaving my entire body frozen, but my feet seemed to have gotten the brunt of the trauma.
“I’m going to sit you inside of my car, okay.” He said with benevolence. For the first time in a day I found reassurance and hope that I wasn’t going to be at the mercy of a killer, at least not tonight.
I nodded, giving approval as he sat me down inside a warm luxurious car. I hadn’t realized that it was a limo until I took a good look around me. The interior was sleek. A bright strip of light stretched out against the entire area. My body was quickly warmed from the seat while warm air also blew against my shivering skin.
My eyes flashed to his and saw that he was watching me intently. I didn’t know what to say or do.“Water?” I asked, the word barely escaped from my burning throat. He shifted across my body, gripping the seat as he entered. He reached inside of a bar and retrieved a bottle of water. I gulped the water from the plastic container as quickly as I could all while I watched him from my otherwise motionless position, grateful that he’d found me.“Thank you.” I wiped a few drops of water from my mouth with the back of my hand.
He didn’t respond and instead picked up a ringing phone, answering it with sterntone.“In a moment.” He growled as he nestled his long suit clad legs inside the space. His eyes never left mine. His large hand adjusted his cuff links then quickly disconnected the phone, settling it insi
de of his jacket.“Are you hurt?” His tone was flat and blasé. Did he really care?
My eyes followed to my lap, seeing bloody fingers and knowing I had nowhere to hide my hands. I didn’t feel hurt, other than my scrapped knees and battered feet. I was okay physically. I didn’t doubt I’d be sore tomorrow.“I don’t think so.” I shake my head, rising to his intent stare.
His eyes wondered along my body with dark intentions flickering. When he blinked, the darkness magnified as his eyes bore into mine.“Why were you in the middle of a highway at one in the morning?” He asked me accusingly. I didn't know him what difference did it make to him?
Regardless of his interestI couldn't tell him what’d happened. I didn’t know him. He was nice enough. He’d helped me. But telling him would put him in danger and I wasn't prepared to do that to an innocent man whose only crime had been to help me.
“Could I use your phone to call my father?” He’d know what to do. He'd always known what to do.
He was silent as his hand slippedinside of the expensive suite jacket that covered his large frame. He recovered the phone I’d asked to borrow and held it out for me.
My hand raised to his, making a bit of contact with the warmth of his hand. I shuddered and turned my head slightly, hoping he hadn’t noticed. I didn’t think he noticed, so I simply tucked the phone into my palm and reached for the door handle.
“Where are you going?” His body leaned forward as he pressed his hand against the leather seat.
My heart beat fiercely wondering if I could trust this stranger. He seemed nice, but a stranger in the dark none-the-less. My grip became too rigid against the metal handle. His eyes scanned me questionably. As the seconds ticked by, I felt like running was the best option, but I knew I wouldn’t last another five minutes in the harsh Detroit cold, especially in what little I had on My body.
My lips scantly parted.“I’m going to step out to call my father.” My voice was meek. He couldn’t hear what I needed to say and I couldn’t very well ask him to get out of his own car.
“You’re not wearing any clothing.” He gestured his hand towards my naked body.“You should stay in the warmth of the car. I’ll step out and give you your privacy.” My eyes followed as he did in fact step out of the car, closing the door gently behind him, and leaned his body against the door.
I wasted no time with my fingers swiped across the screen pulling up the dialed pad. I dialed my father’s number and impatiently waited for him to answer.
“Sagatori,” He answered with booming hostility.
“Papa,” I took a deep breath with comfort that he was okay.
“Isabella? Where are you?” His question was commanding. Papa was always commanding. He was the boss of the Sagatori crime family.
“They took me Papa. Listen to me! You need to get away. He isn’t playing games.”
“Be veryspecific Isabella. Who took you?”
“Salvatore.” I hesitated.“I’ll explain later. For now Papa, I need you to get Tony and Sal and go to the safe house.” The line was silent.“Papa? Did you hear me?” Silence.“Papa? Tony and Sal, get them.” I insisted into the phone hoping to God they hadn’t arrived to kill Papa already.
“I’m here. Where are you? I’m coming to get you right away.” He finally answered.
“I don’t know.” My eyes wondered out into the darkness of the night only to see a few flashes of light belonging to the passing cars.“On a highway. A man in a limousine stopped to help, Papa. I’m safe.” My head shook with impatience.
“Very well, I’ll meet you at the safe house and you’ll tell me what’s happened?” I'd do anything he asked as long as he was safe.
“Yes Papa. But you have to go now.” I explained apprehensively.
“Isabella, you don’t worry about your Papa. Are you sure you’re safe?”
My eyes broke across the line of windows finally landing on the tall man that waited patiently against the car.“Yes, I’m safe. Hurry!” I risked my voice raising an octave without drawing attention to my conversation.
I look forward, seeing the partition was still raised and the driver couldn’t see me. I’d been in limousines more than regular cars. Up until college, Papa insisted on it. He’d said he was keeping me safe. But I just wanted to be a normal girl and drive my own car instead of being driveneverywhere I went. So you could say I’m not really big on them. Might be a bit of resentment I hang onto from my sheltered life.
“Getting into the limo now.” He said composed. My father’s the administration of the Famiglia. He was always composed, he never showed weakness. He couldn't, if he was to remain in charge and stay in the position he held as head of this family. There’s never time or tolerance for weakness. Weakness gets you killed. I’ve seen that happen time and time again with Papa’s crew. The Cosa Nostra doesn’t tolerate weakness from anyone not even the woman they protect under a tight, restraining, watchful eye.
I end the call, thinking of a way I could get to the safe house without anyone knowing where I am or how I’d gotten there.
I’m Bella Sagatori, I’m my father’s daughter I’ll find a way.
Chapter 2
Bella
I remained still for a moment, thinking of a plan that would keep everyone safe. I’d always been fiercely protected, never needing to consider others safety except my Papa’s. I couldn't help but worry about Papa.
My father had always had a bodyguard protecting me. Usually a cugine. I’ve heard they will do anything to be made men and protecting the boss’s daughter ranked as top priority in the protection aspect, if you want to keep your job. But they must have also been proven loyal. In high school, the boys never got close, for fear my body-guard would make them disappear on behalf of their boss Anthony Sagatori. That was a shitty and sure way of never getting asked to prom, unless you were part of the famiglia and I didn’t want those boys to ask me. I wanted away from that. I wanted something different something more. I wanted freedom then and I wanted it now.
The man that’d saved me turned to peer into the car as I waved him in. When he opened the door to step inside I saw the same lights that had been chasing me coming from the tree line I’d emerged from. They were almost here. I knew they wouldn’t be far behind me. My heart pounded against my ribs with raging fear.
My hand gripped the man’s arm tightly as he entered, sitting next to me.“Tell the driver to drive. Now!” I quickly demanded.
He hesitated, stiffening under my touch. They’d kill him. They’d likely kill me as well.“Why?” He asked with an incredulous look.
“Go!” My stare didn’t falter from the tree line. I was terrified and for a good reason.
He gave a concerned glare as he picked up the phone attached to the limo. He growled one commanding word to the driver.“Drive.” The car shot forward onto the road passing the two men that had emerged from the brush. Thank God limos have black windows; otherwise we could’ve been seen.
My eyes lifted with only the power that pure adrenalin could offer. I took a large gulp of air and swallowed, grateful to have escaped them.
“What the hell is going on?” He asked, but I remained silent. I was still tightly gripping his arm. His eyes fell to my trembling hand“What’s your name?” He asked calmly, as though he recognized the look on my face as terror.
My head raised examining the dark cast over his eyes the same time I released my hand.“Bella.” I answer with a soft whimper, clasping my numb hands into my naked lap.
“Are you running from those men?” His eyes toughened with unknown reason.“Are you in some kind of trouble?” If he only knew.
I noddedmy head, feeling oddly safe in the darkness of his eyes.“Yes.” Those eyes reminded me of Papa’s eyes. So confident and strong. Like the light wasn’t able to enter because the door was built for destruction. Only men with absolute power have that look. I shuddered against the warm leather seat.
“Did they hurt you?” His upper lip quivered, revealing his perfectly w
hite teeth.
I dropped my head once again. I didn’t know how to respond. Up to this point I'd never actually considered that Salvatore would hurt me physically, but keeping me locked up in his house so that he could claim and use me as an opportunity to take rank was bullshit and sort of abuse.“No, not really.” What happens in the family stays in the family. I’m no rat. Papa would deal with Sam’s punishment and then I could finally wash my hands of him and his futile attempts at marrying me. Once Papa knew what’d happened, it’d all be okay.
His head rotated, his expression seething as he looked away, taking his dark eyes towards the front of the car.“You’re practically naked in the freezing cold, running from some men and they didn’t hurt you?” I see his brows fold in the glow of the limo’s lights. I was sure he thought I was Crazy.
“Umm, Sort of.” I swept my long dark hair away from my face, tucking it to the side.
“Where do you live?” This was my chance to get to the safe house. I knew that we were just outside Detroit, maybe an hour’s drive.
“423 Campbell drive.” I needed to get to my father.
He called to the driver, once more repeating the address I’d given.“One hour.” He said. I was right. He turned and watched me with the same folded brows.“My hotel isn’t far. I’ll take you there. You’ll be safe.”
I’m running out of time.“No! I need to go home.” I said in a quick panic.
“Bella, Those men likely know where you live. It’s not wise to go there.”
“No, they don’t know where I live.” I shook my head disconcerted.
“In the morning, after you’ve eaten, rested, and have clothing on your… body.” He paused to clear his throat and adjust his jacket.“I’ll have my driver take you home then.” His hand raised as if he’d just ended the conversation. My head tilted to the side with annoyance, but I knew that he was my only hope of warning Papa before it was too late, so I choose to stay calm.
“Listen, I appreciate your kindness, but I’m worried about my father.”
Bella #1 (Sagatori Family Saga #1) Page 1