Page 91 of Undercover Desires

“You and Bella.” Jett gestures toward the house.

“Yeah,” I reply with unwavering confidence. “I've never been more certain about anything in my life. I fell in love with that girl the night I met her. Remember, I told you she was the one.”

He looks at me, pondering my words. “I thought you were joking.”

I chuckle, recalling our past conversation. “I was, at the time. But maybe I knew deep down as well.”

Jett shakes his head, a genuine smile forming on his face. “I'm happy for you, Brother.”

CHAPTER 37

ARABELLA

A phone buzzes onthe side table next to me. I groan and roll over, not ready to face the world yet. Strong arms wrap around me, and I relish the sensation, closing my eyes and nestling in deeper. His embrace is so comforting, and I could definitely get used to waking up with him. His sheets are luxuriously soft, unlike any I've ever slept on before, and his body molded against mine feels perfectly right. For the first time in a long while, I feel safe and at peace.

Last night was a struggle to fall asleep, even with him by my side. The adrenaline coursing through my body refused to subside, and Reader's face kept haunting my thoughts. Part of me can’t believe I escaped. But I did, and now I’m here in the Rivera mansion with Kobe wrapped around me.

He stirs pulling back a little to look at me. “You’re still here.” He smiles sleepily.

“Where else would I be?” I laugh.

He pulls me into him tighter, running his hands over my body. Then he moves me so he’s on top of me, staring down, my body pinned under his large frame.

The phone on the bedside table goes off again, and he reaches for it. “It’s Caleb. I’d better take it.” He answers the call, still looking down at me. “I have Bella here. What can you tell us?” He switches the call to speaker.

“Hey, Bella, I was trying to call you, but your phone must be off. All went to plan after you left. Reader was arrested and charged with drug trafficking and murder, amongst a long list of other charges. He’s been refused bail and is being held under police guard at the hospital. That shot was a good one; you destroyed his shoulder.”

I see the flash of fury in Kobe’s eyes. He hasn’t let this go. “Less than he deserved.”

“What about Duncan?” I ask, more worried about what’s going to happen to him.

“Duncan was working with us the whole time. He cut a deal years back,” Caleb admits. I watch for Kobe’s reaction, and it’s clear he had no idea, no one did.

I feel emotional at the thought. He missed out on so much of his life, his kid’s life, so he could help in such a major case. He was risking everything to do it. “He was?” I ask.

“He was, and now he’s free. You both are. We got our guy, he won’t be terrorizing the town again.”

“How long’s he going to get?” Kobe asks, and I can see the crazy in him ticking over. He still wants to deal with this his way. He admitted to me last night, the only reason Reader didn’t leave in a body bag was because of me. It was more important to get me out of there safely. It was such a moment of clarity for me, what Hazel told me on my porch the other day ringing true. I might not agree with everything these guys do to fight for theircause, but I know one thing for sure: he would do anything for me. And that’s all that matters.

“That will be for the court to decide, but they don’t look kindly on a detective turned drug lord. He’s going to be locked away till he’s too old to do any more harm.”

“If the internal justice system doesn’t sort him out…” Kobe winks at me, and I know exactly what he’s saying. He’s got friends on the inside who will take care of him.

I shake my head at him. This is a good result; he should be satisfied that Reader is locked away to rot.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Caleb mutters, unimpressed. “Arabella, I will need your phone recording for evidence and a witness statement from you. I can stop in at your house if that’s easiest.”

“I’m staying at the Rivera mansion. I’ll be here all day, so any time works.”

“Perfect.”

“Okay, see you later. Thank you for everything, Caleb.” I don’t even have words enough to show him my gratitude for everything he did for us yesterday.

“Just doing my job,” he says humbly, but both Kobe and I know he went above and beyond to help us. “See you two later.” He disconnects the call.

Kobe throws his phone on the bed and stares down at me, and I can see his mind racing. “So, what now? Are you still working at the club or are you coming to work for me doing something else?” he asks, and I can tell it’s a burning question he’s been waiting for the right time to ask me. Last night I was too much of a mess for serious conversations about my life, and the truth is, I’m no better this morning.

I stare up at him, not sure how to answer. I’m so confused after what’s happened the last few days. “And why would you assume they are my only options?” I smirk.

---