Bella found herself in a choking whirlpool of agony while the world outside the cathedral had been a haze of brilliant fall foliage and subdued revelry. The shame and heartbreak felt like a physical weight as she ran blinded by tears.
She was chased by the sounds of the organ the distant murmur of vows and the faint echo of Samuels voice—a harsh mocking symphony of her dashed hopes.
She continued driving until the churchs magnificent structure was only a far-off blurry silhouette in her rearview mirror and until her legs hurt and her lungs burned.
The city lights were a distorted streaky mess in her tear-streaked eyes as she drove unsure of her destination. She shook uncontrollably as her hands gripped the steering wheel.
With weak legs she staggered out of the car and fumbled with her keys her fingers clumsy with desperation. Her home was deafeningly silent inside. It heightened the ragged gasps for air that ripped from her throat and the frantic pounding of her heart.
The cool wood in the foyer was a sharp contrast to the searing heat of her skin as she sank to the floor. The dam then crumbled. Instead of crying quietly she let out guttural bitter cries that tore from her very being. It was an instinctive cry of pain a mourning for all she had lost and all she had held dear.
Her hair was unkempt and her face was a swollen tear-streaked mess. She was so devastated and hurt. She tasted bitter ash after the treachery which was like a poisonous current running through her veins.
He'd picked Evie. Her worst adversary. her worst adversary. And he had done it behind her back a public humiliation that the very culture that thrived on scandal and rumors witnessed.
She had to leave this place.
Not in this city where she would be painfully reminded of what she had lost and the humiliation she had suffered at every restaurant street corner and social event. She was unable to share Samuel and Evies air run the risk of another unintentional run-in or participate in another public spectacle.
It was time for her to go. Not temporarily but permanently. She had to break free from this confining story and take on the persona of the grieving victim. She had to put herself back together. Not just her life but her own business as well. She had always been ambitious and driven but Samuels love had caused her to lose focus.
A single burning goal had taken the place of that diversion: to rise from the ashes stronger more fierce and completely self-sufficient. She would create her own success and blaze her own trail demonstrating her tenacity and tacitly defying those who had attempted to shatter her.
Bella forced herself up from the floor with a fresh almost icy clarity. Although she moved stiffly she had a purpose. As she entered her bedroom the opulent room began to feel like a golden prison. From the back of her closet she took out her biggest suitcase its empty interior representing the fresh start she so badly wanted.
She started packing not carefully but hurriedly throwing documents clothing and anything else she thought was necessary into the bag. Sensuality and lingering over treasured mementos were absent. She was resolved to put the past behind her and every item was just another fragment of it.
An hour later the suitcase was stuffed full of her newfound resolve. She took the bare necessities for a quick getaway: her phone wallet and car keys. As she left her home which had been a haven but was now a sobering reminder of her dashed hopes she didnt turn around.
She climbed into her car the comfortable leather seats no longer providing any comfort. Her newly discovered resolve was echoed by the engines thunderous roar as it came to life. With her eyes focused on the road ahead she backed out of her driveway while planning her getaway and fresh start.
But her heart gave a sudden nauseating lurch as she arrived at the end of her street her tires crunching softly on the gravel.
A familiar sleek black car was parked right in front of her blocking her path entirely. Its tinted windows reflected the pale morning light casting an unwelcome and menacing shadow. It was the same luxury sedan from the park.
Her car skidded a little as Bella slammed on the brakes. Her despair was briefly overshadowed by a new wave of rage that was hot and sharp as it surged through her. Her jaw tensed as she roughly wiped her face with the back of her hand smearing the dried tears.
Obviously. The universe or possibly the devious forces of her adversaries chose to step in just as she believed she would be able to finally get away. With a desperate frustrated rage driving her actions she flung open the door of her car.
She emerged with her eyes blazing with a dangerous light prepared to face whoever dared to stand in her way. Almost simultaneously the black cars driver-side door clicked softly open. It was the tall well-dressed figure she had seen in the park that appeared from within.
Kaine.
Across the short distance his dark eyes keen and perceptive met hers. He acknowledged her rage her desperation and his own unexpected presence with that familiar unsettling smirk. He approached her with fluid slow motions and an eerie calmness that only made her fury grow.
Bella demanded her voice raw and full of a strong mixture of rage and exhaustion "What do you want?"She didnt make an effort to be nice. "Youre wasting your time if youre here to gloat or to complete the task that Evie began. I'm done. I am going to leave. And you are a part of her she spat maintaining an unblinking gaze. Youre contributing to the issue. So just move out of my way."
Kane paused a few feet away from her his grin remaining unwavering. He maintained his composure despite her outburst seemingly unfazed. He merely stood there evaluating her with his dark eyes which flashed something unintelligible.
"I might be with Evie, Bella" Kane said in a low smooth and oddly captivating voice that sliced through her rage like a razor. "That being said I still have my own interests. And my interests and yours coincide at the moment."
He hesitated allowing his statement to linger and her perplexity to grow. "I would like to help you."
Bellas mind was spinning as she gazed at him. The man who had witnessed Evies humiliation at the park the man who had been her silent partner the man who had watched as Samuel was blackmailed—help her?
A wave of despair swept over her as she shook her head asking "Help me with what exactly? To pick up the pieces of the life you and your partner just destroyed?. Your assistance is not necessary for me. Please just move out of my way."
With his voice still unbelievably composed Kane retorted "Oh but you do Bella.Help with a reckoning is necessary. With fairness. With revenge."
The intense dark gaze he had on her seemed to pierce the very core of her being. He witnessed the intense suffering brewing rage and longing for vengeance that she had only recently started to recognize in herself.
Revenge?
She asked in a barely audible whisper her bewilderment surpassing her rage."Why would you help me? Whats in it for you?"
Kanes grin widened as a glimpse of something predatory appeared in his eyes
He moved toward her reducing the small gap between them with a slow purposeful step. Suddenly his presence overwhelmed her senses.
He reached into his fitted suit jackets inner pocket. Bella watched him with her heart racing and her breath caught in her throat. He produced a tiny box covered in velvet. What was he doing? Was this a joke? Was there another danger?
But It was a ring box dark and sophisticated. Bellas eyes went wide as her perplexity turned into complete incomprehension. He opened it and saw a ring box. A single brilliant diamond ring was inside tucked away on a bed of black velvet.
It was so bright that it was nearly blinding as it gleamed and caught the light. It was a magnificent and stunning piece that was obviously expensive and carefully chosen.
Bella gazed at it her mind completely blank unable to comprehend what she was seeing. She looked from the glistening diamond to Kanes face his dark eyes meeting hers his smirk transformed into a knowing almost defiant look.
His deep resonant voice then broke the stunned silence with a proposition that rocked her world in a completely unexpected and new way.
"Marry me, Bella" Kane said in a deep persuasive rumble "And Ill help you get the revenge you want."
Bella froze, her breath caught up in her throat