Page 58 of Controlled

Or hell, maybe Bella’s father, furious that I’d taken it upon myself to own his beloved daughter.

As some would say, the plot was thickening.

I’d snagged some DNA from the hairbrush she’d used, asking Kane to personally drop it off with a buddy of mine who could expedite the testing, and was also easily able to hack into the prison system, obtaining Armand’s DNA. I should know in a couple of days if what I suspected about Bella’s heritage was true or not.

It was important to know but I wasn’t certain how or when I’d break the news to her if it was found to be true.

I’d purposely made reservations at the poshest establishments in New York City. I’d also had Kane take the time to leak to the celebrity photographers that I was in town bringing someone special with me. I’d made quite a name for myself in the Big Apple over the years, personally responsible for breaking the internet more than once.

Everywhere I went, I was considered a celebrity for my philanthropic contributions, the various businesses I owned, and the fact I’d been on several city magazine covers along with my brothers over the years.

As well as the notorious and very mysterious stories that had developed over time.

To hear the good people of New York tell it, all three of us were wealthy tycoons brought here from another planet. That was the most preposterous rumor. The closest to being accurate was that we were royalty from an underground crime syndicate controlling the world.

Even the hint of danger hadn’t stopped women from throwing themselves all over us when we were in public. That included Chicago as well. Some would say what wasn’t there to love about being recognized, fawned over, and tossed panties to.

If I had to be honest, I’d be forced to say in my twenties, I’d loved every minute of it, eating it up as I had the endless supply of pussy. However, now that I was in my early forties, I’d grown weary of the games being played, the fake rumors, and the plastic women. Maybe that was another reason I’d gravitated toward the innocence and pure beauty of Bella Rothschild.

It hadn’t mattered to her in the least that she’d come from Hollywood royalty. She’d shied away from it for obvious reasons, including her mother, and if I had to guess, it simply wasn’t what she was made of.

What I didn’t know was if the rumors were correct about her father, how that would change her outlook on life or how she chose to live it. I almost laughed at my last thought. I was in control of her now. She’d act the way I chose.

My lovely dancer finally looked toward me, her nervous habit of chewing on her inner cheek in full force. “I thought you were concerned someone would try to kill you again.”

“If you only knew how many men have tried to end my life over the years, you’d understand why I’m not concerned.”

“Does that mean you have nine lives?”

Finally, a slight sense of humor. “Perhaps, although I don’t think the analogy works for my personality.”

“No, you’re more like a vulture. Aren’t you?”

“Ouch. You know how to hurt a guy. Maybe it’s best we don’t talk shop tonight. Is that suitable to you? I have a lovely evening planned where we can get to know each other so much better. Besides, I have something special for you.”

She eyed me warily as I pulled out a velvet box from my tuxedo jacket. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy showering anyone with gifts until now. The critics would say I was socially inept and had never been taught how to run a household or provide emotional support for a family. Things like holidays and birthday celebrations had rarely if ever been observed after my mother had been killed.

It was odd that the memories of when she’d tried very hard to keep us a real family had surfaced when I hadn’t thought of them since a couple of years after her disappearance. Obviously, it had to do with having Bella in my life. I could remember being given gifts, things I hadn’t even asked for.

She’d even insisted on a Christmas tree, teaching her boys how to decorate while holiday music played in the background. Shit. The last thing I needed was to go down memory lane. It wouldn’t do me any good.

“I thought this would go perfectly with your dress.” I opened the box and leaned over. After deciding a trip to New York was in order, I’d called in various favors for the perfect dress, the most spectacular location for dinner and tickets to an event, all of which had cost me an arm and a leg.

In my mind, she was worth every penny and then some.

While I’d debated flying home given my private jet, I knew I would need some time after ravaging her to hunt down Armand Marcello prior to leaving.

I’d brought Kane and three other soldiers, which should be enough for protection and tracking the man.

I noticed Bella’s eyes lit up for a few seconds as she peered down at the ruby and diamond choker with a heart-shaped ruby pendant. It was by far the most I’d spent on jewelry in my life, including my priceless watches.

However, I could tell within seconds that her moment of being impressed quickly turned sour. She lifted her head, her eyes full of venom.

“This isn’t the movie Pretty Woman, Creed. You can’t buy me with fancy clothes and expensive jewels. I’m not for sale to you to anyone. I’m not your date. I’m your prisoner. You might have saved my life but that doesn’t give you the right to act as if you own me. I’m not going to be your friend, your lover, or the love of your life. You might use this body, but you won’t get the chance to break me if that’s what you’re trying to do. I know how it works. You ply me with fine food and wine, act as if I’m your darling princess so I’ll become enthralled with you. Then you’ll turn into the bastard you really are, locking me in your house or better yet, inside a cage. You’ll force me to follow stupid rules while stealing my entire life. I’m not going to fall for it. I will escape your tyranny. You are a madman after all, completely insane.”

The words hung in the air and I sensed Kane was studying me, waiting for my usual surly reaction to someone being so egregious in their stupidity. He’d even lifted his eyebrows, fearful I’d hurt her or worse.

But I surprised myself, doing nothing more than rolling the tip of my finger down her shimmering cheek.

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