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 vol.3 A Sagatori family saga by Kimberly Blalock
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Cover art created by Kimberly Blalock
Copy and Line Editing: Silla Webb
Contents
Copyright
A Mafia Romance
Chapter 1
Bella
Chapter 2
Jax
Bella
Chapter 3
Bella
Chapter 4
Bella
Chapter 5
Jax
Chapter 6
Bella
Chapter 7
Bella
Chapter 8
Bella
Jax
Chapter 9
Bella
Chapter 10
Jax
Chapter 11
Bella
A Mafia Romance
More books from Kimberly
The Angel Trilogy
His Angel
My Demons
Our Sins
A Sagatori family saga
Bella #4 coming soon
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Dedication
I have dedicated Bella vol. 3 to my friend Cathy. You are a beautiful and kind woman and I know that you are going to kick cancers ass! Don’t forget how strong and powerful you are. Thank you for your friendship kindness Cathy.
Chapter 1
Bella
The sun shone in through the thick drapes. My eyes hesitated from the brightness and my hands pulled the sheet just under my chin as I realized this wasn’t my room, those weren’t my drapes, and this wasn’t my sheet. Quickly my eyes opened wide, scanning the large space. My head and torso jutted upward to see where I was. The room was open, almost empty. A large four-poster bed with ornate wooden posts surrounded me. A lush Victorian style couch—small and cream—sat in a sitting area. A table with two chairs sat to the left of the couch with beautiful flowers atop. The walls were white, clean, and crisp.
I seated myself on the edge of the bed, my hands clutching the mattress. My toes dangled over the beautiful white rug that flowed beneath my suspended feet waiting for me to fall onto it. A noise, a mere stranger in the silence, alerted me that I wasn’t alone. This was Jax’s bedroom. I was naked and in Jax’s room. I closed my eyes tight, waiting for him to say something, anything. What would he say? Would he hurry me away? He didn’t move further from behind me, but I knew he was there watching me, perhaps waiting for me to respond the same way I had been waiting for him, questioning what would come next.
The sheet offered coverage for my breasts, my back still exposed, my hair imaginably tangled and messy while I waited.
“Bella,” his voice was deep and determined as it echoed throughout the room. I wanted to turn. I wanted to run. Was I embarrassed or angry that I’d left myself exposed to the one man I swore myself to loath? “Bella?” His steps sounded, moving in my direction.
A deep inhalation of breath entered through my lips and filled my lungs comforting me, making me feel real in a moment that had left me wondering if this, me here with Jax, in his room, was real or a dream. I’d given myself to him. I’d submitted to him. I’d wanted the compassion his kiss had promised and his touch that had overcome me last night. Denuded of my reality I stood, having dropped to the floor landing onto the white, plush rug, and my toes sank into the softness it offered. I curved my torso into a position that placed Jax into my sight. He stood bare chested, smoothness wrapped within the curves of his chest, firm, and impeccable. Shoulders wide and arms lowered at his sides. A towel clung taut at his hips and long, thick, strong legs stood firm. My eyes roamed along the beauty that was Jax. I reach his eyes that were dark, narrowed, and probing.
The sheet hid my naked flesh providing a barrier, a protection of sorts, careful not to leave me vulnerable even though I knew that I’d already passed the point of vulnerability. I’d already passed the point of no return with Jax Moretti. He’d seen me, open, willing, determined. He’d brought orgasm from my body and lust from my lips. I sighed, pulling in another breath. “Jax,” I whispered just short of a breath.
He watched me stepping closer with his hands fisting at his sides. His lips thinning while thinking of what to say next. Maybe he felt just as vulnerable as I did. I shook off the thought knowing that Jax Moretti was nothing if not strong, nothing if not confident. He exuded strength and confidence with every step, glare, and breath that entered his lungs releasing through his lips. He didn’t speak. He only watched me, waiting, wondering just like I’d been.
I spoke knowing this awkwardness was going to crush me soon. “I’ll go and leave you to your day.” My fingers gripped the sheet, pulling it taught around my body, wanting… no, needing a thick separation between us and the sheet offered me a bit of what I needed to calm my uneasiness. I walked, padding along the softness of the rug until my feet laid bare atop the wooden floor. My head fell, my eyes closed, a deep breath evaded me. I reached for the door gripping at the round knob.
“Bella don’t go,” his voice was dark and authoritative.
I stilled, my hand remaining at the door, waiting for… I don’t know what I was waiting for. Perhaps I was waiting for Nessun Dorma to play or a crash to break the silence, but it didn’t come. I decided it was best to proceed and go, just walk back to a time that hating Jax was okay. A time when I wasn’t torn about my feelings. What were my feelings, though? What did I feel for him?
“Don’t leave,” a deep, hurried voice spoke, sounding closer to me. Then a hand, palm flat, fingers spread wide, pressed on the white wooden door holding it firm across my gaze.
I raised my head and saw him standing there, watching me. A tongue swept across his lip and a hand skated through his thick, dark, wet mane. “I need to dress; I know…” My heart beat veraciously. “I know you’re busy, and I didn’t want to get into your way.” I was being decent to Jax. I’d normally wanted to knee him in the balls, or at the very least, slap him for bringing me here, but now… now, I didn’t know what I wanted to do or even for the matter, why I didn’t know.
“Have breakfast with me.” His eyes were hard, an edge of softness lingered, peeked.
“Why?” I don’t know why I asked, maybe I needed to know what he wanted from me. What had happened betwee
n us hadn’t been what I thought would happen. Last night took me by surprise just as I was certain it had him as well. The thought that it didn’t affect him did cross my mind, but I suppressed that thought. Why?
“Join me for breakfast.” He watched me, firmly standing to my left. The towel remained snug against his waist revealing his V. The tingles that had come last night were back.
“Jax, I’m wearing a sheet,” I said slightly embarrassed, and my eyes fell as I waited for a response. I had never been easily embarrassed, not around Jax. Then again I had never been in only a sheet. There had been the first night that I’d met him, but even then embarrassment hadn’t been my worry. But now, here, in this moment, I was… different in a way that didn’t set well.
“Sit, breakfast is on its way and then…” his eyes slid down and across my body. “We will work on getting dressed.” Breakfast was on its way? Someone would know that I was here, with Jax, in a sheet? No, no, no. My head shook nervously.
Jax’s hand reached for mine that had only moments before fallen to my side. “Bella, it’s fine. We’re married, you remember.” Yes, I did remember. “Come,” he said and led me from the suite’s entrance across the room. “Sit.” He slid the white chair from the table with ease.
I arranged the sheet so that I could comfortably sit while it remained snug to my chest. “Thank you,” I said as I felt his hand drop to my shoulder, softly gliding across my skin. My eyes closed tightly, and a shiver erupted.
“Of course,” his response was flat, difficult to read. Perhaps I was attempting to read something that wasn’t there at all.
There were three knocks, soft and dainty. I knew it had to be Alessandra. She would have a smile on her face, that I was certain. This would surely make her day.
Alessandra was special, a mother figure to both Jax and myself. Jax hadn’t said as much, but Alessandra was definitely a kind and loving woman. I dropped my head as the door opened. I didn’t look at her as she wheeled a cart into the room. She’d had to have come up by the elevator that I hadn’t stepped foot inside. It sat at the end of the hall, and I suppose it was for instances such as this.
“Good morning, Bella.” I slowly looked up from under my lashes. I felt dirty, caught in the act I suppose.
I smiled. “Morning.”
She was delighted, and I was embarrassed. She placed breakfast of eggs, bacon, and coffee in front of me and for Jax a simple croissant and tea. “Will there be anything else? Shall I hold your appointments for the day, Bella?”
I slipped the cream colored napkin across my sheet clad lap and raised my head. “What appointments?”
“Your fundraiser, you were scheduled to have a meeting with Megan at one this afternoon.”
What was today? Had I forgotten? “I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I haven’t been able to reach her.”
Jax sat across from me adding a bit of milk to his tea then stirring it with his spoon. “She will need to reschedule this meeting today as we will be busy, Alessandra, and that will be all.” He dismissed her.
“Of course, Mr. Moretti, Bella.” She snuck a wink in my direction. I smiled then released it as soon as she’d turned.
“I’d prefer if you didn’t continue with this project.” The spoon clanked against the small plate that held his tea. The cup came to his lips and then he sipped. “I’m sure you can find something else to keep you busy. I’d like for you to redecorate.”
My posture straightened and my hands gripped the edge of the table. Heat flushed my cheeks and anger seethed through my veins. “Jax, I will not give this up, and you will certainly not keep me around as your personal decorator.”
He stilled, sitting his cup down harshly leaving the sound of porcelain to ring through my ears. He was angry that I’d refused what he’d suggested, but he’d get over it. “Isabella, I believe that you should consider your words.” His eyes narrowed; he was giving a warning.
“Really, Jax? You think I’m an animal in a cage that you can train?” My head tilted to the side watching him, his movements, however slight, were also tense.
“Bella,” he sighed, not speaking further.
He seemed different, tired maybe. My fingers slid from the edge of the table to the fork that laid out in front of me, touching along the pointy end. I was being a bitch again. As much as I had hated Jax, as much as I wanted to hate him, I couldn’t.
His face held indication that he was becoming bored with my disdainful words. I folded my posture. I knew this was how I protected myself from the pain and hurt that was sure to come eventually when my walls were down. I knew the moment I let down my protective walls with Jax Moretti my heart would belong to him. After last night I had no doubt. But Jax had already assured me that he had no desire to love. That had me thinking… What about me? What about my feelings? Was I expected to endure a relationship without love? I must stay away from the idea of love, right? Should I concede to the idea that a man could love me?
“Eat,” he ordered and raised a small remote into the palm of his hand. Beautiful, light sounds filled the room, instantly calming me.
“What is this?”
“Madam Butterfly,” he said with closed eyes. He was feeling the music, taking it into his soul. He was a peaceful man when he listened to the opera. I was also different. I couldn’t possibly explain what the opera did to me. Magical, intense, unrealistic seeds of comfort and pleasure took deep root into my soul.
“Tell me the story.” I shifted towards the table while my chin rested on my hands.
He drew a deep breath as he opened his eyes. “This one is a bit dark.” He sipped his tea then sat the small round tea cup onto the dish it had arrived on. “I recommend you simply appreciate the sound.”
“Why won’t you tell me?” Jax intrigued me in that moment. He had a secret kept behind his lips. Secrets I wanted to be privy of.
A smile lifted his cheeks as his eyes narrowed with lines drawing at the edges of his dark eyes. “It’s no big deal.”
“Tell me, Jax.” My lips were open, eyes wide, posture stiff. I was determined to have the answers. “If it’s no big deal, then tell me.” The music continued and instead of enjoying it, I wanted to know. Secrets so familiar remained in my life. Secrets I’d never have knowledge of, but this he wouldn’t keep from me, and if he did then I’d simply get the information on my own.
“No,” he said flatly.
“Maybe you don’t know then,” I bit. “That’s fine, Jax. I will learn it on my own.” I sipped at my coffee. I’d just told my husband, the boss of bosses, he hadn’t known something. This would surely make him feel inferior in some ridiculous way and cause him to prove himself. I was simply waiting.
“Bella, reverse psychology? Really?”
My head raised from the small white porcelain cup meeting his smile. He was playing with me and by the looks he’d been enjoying himself.
“You are very cute when frustrated. Okay, but I did warn you.” I nod my head ready for the story behind the beautiful voice. “This takes place in Japan. A geisha girl is to marry an American. She is very excited about it and decides to secretly give up her religion and converts to Christianity, but her family is upset once they find out.” I dipped my posture towards the table while I listened intently. “At fifteen, Butterfly marries the American out of convenience and becomes pregnant with his child.”
“That’s not so bad, young, but I’m sure their culture is much different than ours.” His eyes watched me, focused and dark.
“He leaves her for three years. When he returns he brings his American wife so that she can raise the child. When he tells Butterfly of his plans, she runs away and cuts her throat, dying.” He didn’t hesitate. My posture became slack in the chair realizing I really did not want to know. “So you see why I didn’t want to tell you.” He sips his tea once more. “Bella, when I tell you something it’s for good reason. When I do not tell you something it’s for good reason. You need to learn to trust that I do, in fact, know wh
at’s best. Now I assume you will not wish to listen to this opera again?” he questioned. But I won’t let the story detour me from the beautiful music. I won’t look weak.
“I will, it’s beautiful.”
“Finish your breakfast, we have guest arriving soon.” Jax raised from his chair disappearing into the closet.
I pecked at my food suddenly unable to eat while visions of a young woman with blood dripping from her throat sickened me.
Chapter 2
Jax
I tucked the white cotton dress shirt into my slacks and reached for the drawer where I’d kept the several pairs of cufflinks then swiped the pair of black diamonds into my palm. I folded the cuffs one at a time and inserted the small links. The mirror held on the wall behind me. After I was fully clothed I unbound the royal blue tie, turned, and faced the mirror.
I stood alone in the large closet, it being more of a room that housed my clothing. I was tall and needed to back away from the floor-length mirror to take in the dress I’d chosen. It was my typical dark suit, flashy, vibrant color chosen for tie and handkerchief. I finished the trinity knot, slid the dark hand stitched jacket on, and exited the bedroom expecting to see Bella. The room was quiet, the table a mess with breakfast dishes, but no Bella.
I approached the table seeing she’d not eaten the eggs and bacon that Alessandra had prepared. I slipped the large gold watch around my wrist and left the room closing the door shut behind me. Her door was closed, sound absent, signs that she existed muted. I’d tasted her flesh, touched her innocence, and regretted it from the second I’d chosen that path.
Bella is defiant, disrespectful, impossible, and insolent. But she’s also beautiful, kind, and gentle. I consider knocking on her door but decide against it and walk towards the stairs.
“Jax,” her voice echoed behind me.
I stilled my steps when I heard Mickie speak. “Bella.” Her presence shadowed mine. “My brothers are here.”
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