Page 77 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
I can’t let things end like this. I’m such an asshole. She didn’t even need to tell me that for me to work it out. It’s obvious.
Racing, I grab my phone and call Nestor, shooting a hurried version of the story at him in a rush of words that I hope make sense. He had no idea that Benedikt was planning these attacks. But he also doesn’t want me to retaliate.
I have to reassure him over and over again that revenge isn’t my plan. I want to talk to Belle, not her brother. I have to make things right. He’s reluctant at first, but eventually he tells me where Benedikt is staying in Los Angeles.
It’s a race against time, because I know the only reason he was still here was to get Belle back, and now that he has her, he might already be on a plane back to Las Vegas.
I drive like a madman to the house Benedikt has rented in town.
When I get there, his security systems obviously notify him, because he comes outside before I’m able to park and climb out of my car.
“What the fuck do you want?” he growls, his arms folded over his broad chest as he glares down at me from the steps of his villa.
“Please, let me speak to Belle,” I say, laying myself bare, not even mentioning the attacks or revenge or things that don’t matter in this moment.
“Belle?” he snaps. “Why the hell would I let you near my sister?”
“Please, Benedikt. I’m begging you. Just let me talk to her for a few minutes. I have to tell her I’m sorry.”
He snorts. Amused. Cold.
“You won’t be talking to my sister, Ardalion—not ever again.”
“Can you please pass on a message—" I beg.
“I won’t be passing on any messages for you, either. She will never see you again, and she will never hear your name again. You should forget she ever existed.”
I have never felt panic like this before. The idea of never having a chance to make things right, to at least apologize, tofightfor her—it makes me wonder if there’s any point in living without the chance of having her.
She is once in a lifetime, one of a kind. I can’t fathom the idea of losing that when I was lucky enough to find it in the first place.
Movement catches my eye behind Benedikt, and my gaze shoots to a window to the left of the front door. I catch a flash of long hair, peering through the glass, before she ducks out of sight.
I hurt her so badly. I wish I could scream her name and tell her how sorry I am.
I take a step forward, blinded by my need to see her, to hold her again.
“Leave,” Benedikt snarls, pulling a Glock from his belt.
He leaves it hanging at his side, not aimed at me, but the intention is clear as his fingers wrap around the trigger, and I have no doubt he would love to put a bullet through my skull.
This is not the time to push my luck with him.
I tear my eyes from the window where Belle was standing only a moment ago. She feels so close, yet an infinite distance away from me.
I will have to find another way to reach her.
I won’t give up, but I have to be patient.
Later that night, I find out that Benedikt has flown home with his sister. Belle is back in Vegas.
She’s gone.
Chapter 23 - Belle
Being home isn’t the comfort that I hoped it might be.
It’s been almost three weeks, and I miss him more with each passing moment.
