Page 65 of Belle

“I don’t know where to start.” She’s trying to stall. It occurs to me that whatever she’s about to say might wreck my life.

It shouldn’t surprise me. Ever since Belle made her way into my life, she’s done nothing but cause havoc. It’s what drew me to her, it’s what keeps me around. I like the thrill. I like the unknown.

I’m just as fucked up as she is. That should scare me, but it doesn’t.

“Remember the night I found out you were in Deadhorse to kill me?” She pulls me from my thoughts.

“Of course.” Memories of my hands wrapped around her neck, our heavy breathing, and the fogged-up windows all start resurfacing.

“I told you something that night. I told you what happened in my past. The guy that…” She stops, her hand over her mouth, tears forming in her eyes. I’ve never seen her this way.

I immediately get up from the couch and walk over to her. “What’s going on?” Hesitantly, I put my hand on her arm.

“Chet is that guy.”

I look at her like she’s crazy, because she is. There’s no way.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t even wanna tell you any of this. I’m not lying. I’m not crazy. He’s the guy.” She’s sobbing. I wrap my arms around her, and I’m surprised when she lets me.

“I didn’t say you were lying, okay? You just threw me for a loop. That wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“He cornered me in the club the other night. He remembers what he did. It’s like he’s getting off on the fact that he’s been keeping this huge thing from you. He booked a private room. He had his hands on me. It was disgusting.”

To say I’m angry right now would be an understatement. I’ve already been plotting the best way to get rid of him as soon as she collapsed into my arms.

“He thinks he’s the bigger man, because he had me first.”

I feel physically sick thinking of Belle being with Chet. I want to wrap my hands around his neck and watch the life leave his eyes. I want to burn him alive.

“Don’t even think about it, Maddox,” she warns.

“What?”

“I get to kill him. I’ve been waiting for the day since he put his hands on me. I’ve been dreaming of getting my revenge for this. I can’t let you take that away from me. No matter how you feel about me. You can’t take this away from me!” She’s panicked.

“Hey. Calm down. I’ll let you do whatever you want. I’ll help you if you need me too. This is all on you.” I can feel her relax in my arms.

If she doesn’t kill him soon, I’m going to hunt him down like a tiger hunts its prey. I’m going to tear him limb from limb and enjoy every second of it.

Chapter 21

Belle

Ican’t believe I just told Maddox everything. I also can’t believe how good it felt. I’ve never trusted someone enough to tell them things that were weighing on me.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out before I can think better of it.

He pulls back, looking at me like I’m crazy. “What could you possibly be sorry for?”

“For dumping all of this on you. For telling you something that will ruin your friendship.” I put my head in my hands, taking a deep breath. Maddox’s strong hands rub up and down my back. I hate the way it calms me down.

“You don’t need to be sorry about all that. I haven’t trusted him for a while. It’s part of the reason we brought all the books home tonight. I think he’s been stealing money from the company. I need a second pair of eyes to make sure I’m not going crazy.” He’s stressed. I can hear it in his voice. I lift my head up and look in his direction. He’s leaning back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

Standing up, I straddle his lap and put my hands on his cheeks. He looks at me, turmoil in his eyes, trying to figure out what I’m doing.

Honestly, I’m not sure what’s going through my head right now. I just needed to touch him.

“I’m a bitch. I’m difficult. Any normal guy would have packed up and ran by now, but here you are. You carry my burdens like they’re your own. I won’t open up to you. I won’t talk about my feelings, and yet, you’re still here. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to show my appreciation any other way.” I rock my hips against him and lean down, pressing my lips to his.

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