Bella: The Begining (Sagatori Family Saga #1)

by Kimberly Soto

  “That’s—”

  Her eyes fell to the ring again “My wedding ring?” she twisted it with her fingers. “Yes.”

  “You lost the right to wear that ring the moment you decided it was okay to sleep with Casconi?”

  She nodded toward the waitress, signaling her to approach.

  “Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked.

  “I’ll have a pink champagne and my husband will have a cognac.”

  “Will that be all?” She smiled.

  Rebecca nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She drew in a deep breath, watching as the waitress walked away before continuing. “I missed watching you with a tumbler in your hand. The way you swirl it with your wrist just before you press your lips to the glass.”

  “Why the fuck am I here?” I loosened my tie.

  “I wanted to see you; it has been… a long time, too long.” She sucked on her bottom lip.

  The waitress delivered the two drinks to the table and then hurried away.

  Rebecca raised her glass. “To love—” she paused, “—and revenge.”

  I didn’t raise my glass or respond to the toast; my response wasn’t about the raised glass but about the reason we were here to begin with. I leaned in, Looked around for any unwanted attention letting my eyes roam the path that led to our table before looking back to her. “I’m only going to ask one more time then I’m walking out the door. What do you want?”

  “I’ve dreamt about you, ya know. When we were apart, I’d look up to the stars and wonder if you were watching them too.”

  Memories played over in my mind like a fuzzy black and white movie, much like the ones she and I would lay in bed watching. Memories of Rebecca’s and my life together hadn’t been somethin’ I’d thought about for a long time. I sat back in my chair, crossing one leg over the other. “You were dead, Rebecca, I saw your body.” I held back the anger that seethed through my blood. There were too many people that knew me here, and I wondered why she’d chosen this place. After all, they knew her as well and maybe that was why she’d chosen it. Perhaps she wanted to keep me from killing her with my bare hands.

  “You mean that you saw what was left—over from the sham of a marriage we had?” Her breath hitched, “I—,” she dropped her eyes to the table blinking rapidly. “—you put a bomb in the car, Jax.”

  I shook my head.

  She was working me over, wanting me to admit that I’d been responsible. That would cost me everything, and I had too much to lose to fall into her trap. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Rebecca.”

  Her mouth gaped open before she whispered, “You’re gonna deny me the truth, Jax?”

  “What truth?” My eyes looked away from hers as I laughed, making eye contact with an old friend. Ignoring the watchful eye of her skinny piece of shit guard, I sipped on the cognac, relishing in the taste.

  “We could certainly start with the truth about my sister,” she said while bringing the glass to her mouth.

  “Leave Bella out of this!” The vessels in my head threatened to burst. My thoughts were homicidal, maniacal at best.

  “Isabella Sagatori, I wonder what she’ll say— learning that she isn’t who she thinks she is.”

  My heart beat like a drum in my chest and a forceful breath rushed through my teeth.

  “One night, Jax, that’s all it will take to ensure your secret is safe.”

  “You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me,” I huffed. “That’s your thing, Becca, to cheat on the person you’re married too, remember? Is that where you’ve been all this time, with Casconi?” Where had she been all this time? I guessed witness protection; I’m sure she’d be all too willin’ to give me up.

  The whites of her eyes changed from dull white to the pink color of the drink she held. “Telling her we share the same father—” she sipped on her drink, “—will ruin her; is that what you want?”

  “No, Becca— ” I drew in a deep breath. “—that’s not what I want.”

  She narrowed her stare and brought a smile to her lips. “Great—” she set her drink down “—it’s settled then. Shall we?”

  I waited in my chair for another moment before standing. “Let me make a stop to the men’s room.”

  “Jax, you don’t have anything up your sleeve…do you? After all, I’m sure you remember how amazing this is going to be.” She stood moving closer to me. “We were so good together, the best orgasms of my life came from this mouth.” I wanted to vomit. “And this cock.” her hand slid to my dick. “Not hard for me yet—” She turned, watching me through the corners of her eyes. “—but you will be.”

  I walked away from the table, heading toward the restroom. I gave a nod to my old friend who sat a few tables away in the back of the restaurant. That bitch wasn’t goin’ anywhere near my dick. I had to see what the fuck was really going on and how to take care of her quietly.

  I spent my time in the bathroom texting Wyatt, Tony, Dominic, and Sal. I gave them specific instructions on what I needed them to do and their main priority being Bella. Likely Becca had no desire to leave Bella alone since she loathed her. I think it was mostly jealousy. Now that Bella was my wife and carrying my child, she was in even more danger. I’d make sure she was protected from all of this somehow.

  Once I was satisfied my men were going to be doing what they were supposed to, I cleared my text and left the bathroom. Seeing that my old friend Victor had already left, I took a deep breath and headed back to that viper bitch.

  I had once loved Rebecca, the sweet girl, but she’d changed a long time ago and not for the good. This Rebecca, I loathed.

  I approached her, seeing a smile break onto her lips. “Are you ready?”

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  She linked her arm with mine as we left the restaurant.

  “Boss, can I get a word.”

  I broke free of her grip, walking toward Wyatt. “Yeah.”

  “Boss, I fuckin’ hate like hell to tell you this, but Bella got out of the car at a stop light. I went looking for her, but I can’t find her.”

  My heart pounded against my chest while adrenaline forced its way through my body. I was about to leave with Rebecca, and I had no idea where my wife was. “I’m going to kill you,” I growled through clamped teeth.

  “That’s not the bad part, Boss.” He dropped his head.

  I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat, but I needed him to find my wife. “Talk.”

  He leaned in, speaking quietly. “She took a gun, I mean I have this one—” he leaned in further opening his jacket, “—but she took my spare.”

  “And when the fuck did all this take place?”

  “Oh man.” He swept his brow with the back of his hand. “Boss, I pulled over for a second to answer your text, and I don’t know what happened.”

  “You shouldn’t have said that to me. Now I have to kill your ass.” I ran my hand over my jaw.

  “What the hell would she need a gun for?”

  I lifted my eyes to this idiot. “Have you met Bella? Did she see your texts?”

  His head dropped. “I may have left my phone in the car when I got out to check the tires. Bella said it felt like there was a flat. She could’ve looked at it. She asked if I was messaging you and I said yeah.”

  “Jax? I don’t have all day,” Rebecca barked at me.

  “You fool, she conned you, fuck!” I violently ran my hand though my hair.

  “I didn’t think she had it in her,” he admitted.

  He really was a dumb ass. “Yeah she’s got in in her; she’s probably on her way back here now.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  I tapped my fingers along the top of the car. “Find her and hand her over to Dominic and Tony, then wait for my call. But fuck…first take me to the Westport Hotel.”

  He nodded.

  Once we were in the car I found myself searching all around for Bella. I imagined she was walking the streets of Detroit. I texte
d her once we began driving away.

  Jax: Where are you

  Bella: Turn around. Quietly.

  Holy fuck! Her car was behind us. If I said anything to Wyatt the dumb bitch next to me would know, and if I let her continue the crazy ass mission she was on she would likely get dead.

  Jax: WTF?

  Bella: This is MY family, Jax.

  Fuck!

  Bella: She can’t have you. I won't let you do this to us.

  “Who are you texting?”

  “None of your mother fucking business,” I shot.

  “Oh, Jax—” she rubbed my leg, “— all that pent up hostility; you’re so sexually frustrated.” She perched her lips together.

  “Get your fucking hand off me.”

  “I think I hold the cards here, Jax. Pretty sure that means I say what goes.”

  I couldn’t stop myself. I tried, but my body moved before I could control it. “You control nothing, bitch. I’ll fucking end you right here right now.” She gasped for air. I was choking her with both my hands wrapped around her throat. Her guard in the front seat snapped a gun on me and of course, Wyatt pulled one on him, while also driving the car. I took in a deep breath and let her go. “Get that fuckin’ gun out of my face or I’m gonna end you.” My resolve was breaking, and I was taking these motherfuckers with me. I was usually collected, but this shit had me way out in left field.

  Once we were at the hotel I gripped the door. I knew Bella was behind us, and I knew she was crazy as hell. Fuck, that’s why I loved her so fuckin’ much. She meets my crazy. But I couldn’t let anything happen to her. It was my job to protect her, and I was failing.

  My phone vibrated in my jacket.

  Bella: Trust me, baby.

  I wanted to tell her to fuckin’ run, but I couldn’t help but to trust her. Fuck! This girl had me on every level. I couldn’t though; I couldn’t let her find out the truth about her past and what it all meant for her future.

  Jax: No, this is what I want, Bella, get the fuck out of here.

  She knew what was really going on if she’d read Wyatts messages, not the definitive reason, but that Becca wasn’t the one I wanted. Damn it! I’d rather she think that, maybe then… she’d leave!

  Bella: Liar

  I shook my head realizing we’d already arrived at the hotel. Rebecca stepped out of the car and I took a deep breath, hoping everyone was in place. And hoping that Wyatt mentioned to Sal and Tony the small fact that Bella was running loose with his gun.

  I’d seen Bella several cars back, but she wasn’t inside. I scoped out the entrance, not seeing any signs of her. She was gonna get herself killed and with our son in her belly at that.

  I stepped to the other side of Wyatt, filling him in and needin’ him to fill in everyone else. I was going into a hotel suite with this bitch; she thought she had my balls in a vice, but she didn’t. My only fear, though, was this was a ploy for somethin’ even bigger than I imagined; somethin’ I couldn’t control.

  We rode up in the elevator in silence. Rebecca kept checking the time on her watch every few minutes nervously like she was late for somethin’.

  I ignored her for the most part, but always kept her in my sights. And all while thinkin’ about Bella.

  Rebecca’s phone rang causing everyone to look at her. “Yes.” Silence. “I’m at the hotel.” She ended the call by pressing the red button on her phone and slipped it inside of her bag just before the doors opened on the 20th floor.

  Wyatt and I stayed back as Rebecca and her guard exited. I sneered wantin’ to snap him like a twig.

  “You coming?” she asked.

  I looked at Wyatt before stepping off of the elevator. Her suite was at the end of the hall makin’ the walk a long one.

  Once she swiped her key at the door, she opened it steppin’ inside. “Make yourself comfortable, Jax.”

  “Not gonna happen.” I walked through the entrance to the sittin’ area of the suite.

  “You’re not needed any longer—” she waved her hand at both our guards, “— whatever your name is.”

  My phone buzzed in my jacket.

  Dominic: get the fuck away from the door.

  KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. Someone pounded on the door seconds later.

  “Get that,” Rebecca told Wyatt.

  “Get your own guy to do it.” I nodded signalin’ Wyatt to step away from the door. Although, I should’ve had him open it, would’ve saved me the trouble later.

  “Oh God, Jax. Okay, fine get the door.” She threw her hands in the air speakin’ to her guard.

  I didn’t hear the shot, but I heard the bastard fall to the ground.

  Dominic must’ve taken him out.

  “What the hell?” She approached the entryway. “Sergio?” She kicked him with her expensive shoe.

  Wyatt and I both looked at each other.

  “Hi, Rebecca, so nice to see you again.” Bella stepped over Sergio’s body, holding a 9mm with a silencer attached.

  How in the fuck?

  Behind her entered Dominic, Sal, and Tony and the last to enter was Salvatore Casconi. Now I was blown the fuck away.

  “What is it that you’re holding over my husband’s head?” Bella approached Rebecca causing her to back up and fall into a chair before Tony stepped close to Bella’s side. He was letting her lead. He fuckin’ trusted her to do what needed to be done while staying close enough to protect her. She had the respect of my men. And even though we were in the fuckin’ center of hell my lip curved into a smile. I was fuckin’ proud as fuck of her.

  Rebecca’s eyes searched the room.

  “I can promise you this, you won't be leaving this room alive. I can also promise that my associate would like to have a few words with you and—” She turned toward Casconi before replacin’ her attention on Rebecca again. “—it doesn’t look really good for you sweetheart.”

  Rebecca had been backed into the chair and was fully seated. “Sam.”

  Casconi stepped forward shaking his head. “I told Bella everything; well parts of everything, Rebecca?”

  Rebecca’s eyes found Bella’s. “Because she has everything. You loved her. Jax loves her, and she’s having the baby I should’ve had!” She raged in her chair gripping the arms with force.

  I approached Bella’s right side, reaching out for the gun she was holding. “It’s okay, baby,” I assured her.

  “No, it’s not okay, Jax.” Her grip tightened against the stock.

  “Do you pigs follow her like she’s your queen or something?” She ticked her head toward Bella.

  Bella laughed, “Shut up and tell me who you’re working for.”

  “Your father, Bella, I work for your real father.”

  Fuck! Everything I’d swore with a blood-oath that I’d protect her from was blowing up right in front of me.

  I held my hand at her back. “Bella?” I asked feelin’ her stiffen under my touch. I closed my eyes tight knowing this would ruin her entire fucking world and when she found out that I’d known the secrets that she would soon learn, she’d leave and the nightmares would all come to fruition.

  Her face turned towards me, her eyes glassy, her resolve failing fast. “Jax?”

  Releasing December 19, 2018

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kimberly is an International Bestselling author and has been writing since she was a young girl growing up in Kansas City, Mo. Reading and writing have always been a big part of her life. She enjoys a world she can get lost in while reading a good book. A wife to a wonderful husband and mother to their six beautiful children. She spent some time chasing down fugitives as a bounty hunter then laid down her hand cuffs and finished her college degree in nursing degree and now she is a full time International Bestselling Author.

  Thank you

  Thank you to my family who continues to stand by me and voluntarily puts up with my crazy! I wouldn’t have been able to finish this series without your support. I love you!

  Thank you to all the re
aders and fans that has supported me over these last years. There are so many and each one of you are appreciated!

  Thank you so much to the blogs that have shared and reviewed Bella!