Page 80 of Fairy Tales are Forever

“We’ll see about that,” I say with a little more conviction as I turn and walk back into my room.I hear him let out a deep sigh and grumble something under his breath.I don’t know why, but it makes me smile.

Not that I let him see.

ChapterTwo

DAMIEN

Fuck, this is not how today was supposed to go.I start to follow Belle into her hospital room, but then my phone rings.I want to ignore it, but it could be an update on taking her home, so I get it out of my pocket and check the screen.

I can feel my jaw clenching as I answer but try to remain calm.“Shadow.”

“Where’s my daughter?”Luther Snow demands.

“She’s in my care now, as per our agreement.”I lower my voice as I step away from Belle’s room so she can’t hear me.

“This wasn’t part of the deal.You were supposed to protect her.”

“And I will.”So much for keeping calm.My voice becomes a growl as I seethe into the phone.“Do you need me to remind you of the reason she’s under my protection to begin with?”

“No.”His voice breaks, and then I hear him start to cry.“She’s still my little girl.”

“Yes, but now she’s mywife.So think about that the next time you call my phone demanding answers.You gave up your claim on her the night you broke into my home.”

“I didn’t have a choice.”He sounds weary, but I have no sympathy left for him.

“There is always a choice.”Glancing back at the room, I see Belle go over to the window and watch the snow.“And I’ll never make the same mistake as you.”

Without waiting for a response, I hang up the phone and join her by the window.She doesn’t look up at me as I stand beside her, but I know she can feel the energy between us.It’s been there since the first moment we met, and I felt the pull to her instantly.One look at her and I knew she was going to be my wife.It was something I’d never experienced before, and it nearly took me to my knees.

“I can’t remember anything,” she finally says after a moment of silence.“Will you tell me what happened?”

“They said to give you time.”I want to pull her against me and claim her mouth, but I can’t.Not here.

She meets my eyes, and once again, it’s like I’ve been struck in the center of my heart.“You’re keeping secrets.”

Before I can answer her, Dr.Moore enters the suite.“Hello Mr.and Mrs.Shadow, I’m Dr.Moore.I’m here to go over your results and hopefully answer the questions I’m able to.”

After she goes over the scans, she tells us that there is a small amount of swelling in the brain due to her head injury, and that’s what’s causing the lapse in memory.Her recommendation is to take Belle home and let her rest while she recovers.

Before Belle can ask any follow-up questions, I’m barking orders to the staff to have her things brought out front and for a wheelchair to be located so we can leave.There’s a lot of people running around quickly, and it’s enough of a distraction that Belle goes along with it, and I sneak her out of the hospital without another run-in with Ella and Leo Prince.

“Is this home?”Bella asks when the driver reaches the gates of the estate.

“Yes,” I say but don’t elaborate that this is only her second time coming here.

“The roses are blooming,” she says to herself as she looks out the window at the gardens.“Even in the snow, you can still see how pretty they are.”

“They’re your favorite.”I know this because she carries the faint scent on her skin and when she saw the rose garden for the first time, she brightened like the morning sun.That’s why I insisted we get married outside even though it’s the middle of winter.

“They are,” she agrees and sits back in the seat.Her brow furrows like she’s trying to figure out why they’re significant, but I don’t say anything.

Our home appears up ahead, but she’s not really paying attention before the car comes to a stop and I get out.After I walk around to the other side of the car, I wave the driver off and open the door for Belle.I hold out my hand to help her exit the car and then begin telling the staff what to do.

“Get the bags.Take them to the east wing and make sure there are fresh linens.”

“Yes, sir,” one of the maids says before running off.

“Tell the cook to prepare something to eat.Soup and fresh bread,” I order, and another person runs off to make sure it’s done.

---