Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series

by Beauman, Cate

  “Okay.”

  He moved down the hall and stopped outside the half-closed door, absorbing the punch of longing as he stared at Bella holding Vinny’s hand while he slept. Three days. It had been three endless days since their paths had crossed. She’d pulled her hair back in a messy ponytail and wore a simple outfit of snug jeans and a white T-shirt, but she was stunning nonetheless. Fisting his hand, he rapped a quiet knock on the doorframe and stepped inside.

  She turned her head, locking gazes with him.

  He clenched his jaw as his heart kicked up to a wild beat. How was it that she took his breath away every single time? “Hey.”

  Bella swallowed. “Hey.”

  He absently petted Lucy as the sweet puppy walked up to his side and leaned against his leg the way she usually did. “How’s he doing?”

  Bella shook her head. “Not good. He’s in and out of it.”

  She was exhausted. And hurting. The pain was radiating from her big brown eyes. “What can I do?”

  She looked away, staring down at the floor. “Nothing.”

  Damn, this was agony, watching her go through this alone when he was right here. He walked over to her chair and crouched down, wanting to pull her against him—to comfort and hold her close, but he kept his hands to himself. “Have you had breakfast?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  He breathed in the scent of her shampoo as he settled on his knees in front of her, waiting for her to meet his gaze again. “You need to eat, Bella. To take care of yourself.”

  She blinked as tears pooled in her eyes. “I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  A tear fell. “I’ll get something later.”

  Sighing, he stroked his knuckles along her cheek, unable to resist any longer. “Did you get any sleep?”

  She snagged her bottom lip with her teeth and closed her eyes as she moved into his touch. “A little.”

  He opened his hand and rested his palm against her soft skin. “How much is a little?”

  She eased away, pushing at his arm. “A couple hours, I think.”

  He gripped the edges of her chair, his assurance to himself that he wouldn’t reach for her again. “Do you want me to take Lucy? I can bring her home.”

  She shook her head. “You never gave me back my key.”

  He hadn’t picked up his stuff either. He wasn’t ready to say things were over, even if Bella already had. “I don’t know how to walk away from you. I don’t know how to stop wanting you.”

  She exhaled a shaky breath. “I can’t do this—”

  “Bella,” Vinny whispered.

  Reed gained his feet as Bella leaned in close to Vinny.

  “I’m here, Daddy.”

  Vinny opened his eyes. “Reed.”

  “I’m right here, Vinny.”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m right here,” he repeated.

  Bella stood as the tension between them came rushing back. “I’ll be out in the hall.”

  Vinny waited while Bella walked out of the room. “Help me.”

  Reed sat in the chair Bella had abandoned, studying the frail, helpless man who had once been his enemy. “What do you need?”

  “I have money for Bella. At the rental in Reseda. It’s in the floorboard under the rug in my bedroom. Get it for her. Hold on to it until after the funeral. I don’t want her spending it on my box for the ground. ”

  He nodded. “I’ll get it.”

  “The key’s in the drawer over there.” He tried to lift his hand.

  Reed settled his arm back on the bed. “I’ll find it.”

  “Make sure you tell her it’s honest money—from my days as a mechanic and the chunk they gave me from WITSEC in the beginning.”

  “I’ll tell her.”

  Vinny gripped Reed’s hand. “Take care of her. Take care of my little girl. I need to know she’s going to be all right.”

  He squeezed back, hearing the desperation in Vinny’s quiet voice. “I promise I’m never going to let anything happen to Bella.”

  Vinny nodded. “Don’t give up on her.” He coughed, then winced. “She loves you.” He swallowed loudly as he fought for every breath. “My brother—I’m sorry he hurt your family.”

  “You don’t have to apologize for him. You righted your wrongs. The two of us are square.”

  “They could learn something from you. Honor and respect. I’m not sorry I met you, Reed.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Vinny smiled, then closed his eyes.

  Reed stood, not wanting to occupy too much of Vinny’s time when he didn’t have much left. “I’ll come by tomorrow.”

  Vinny opened his eyes and shook his head. “I won’t be here tomorrow.”

  He steamed out a long breath, seeing the knowledge in Vinny’s glassy eyes. Bending down, he gave him a hug. “I’ll take care of her.”

  The heavy weight of Vinny’s arm settled on his back. “I can rest easier knowing you will.”

  He eased away. “Good-bye, Vinny.”

  “Good-bye.”

  Reed cleared his throat and turned from the bed, brushing away the tear rolling down his cheek. Looking up, he met Bella’s gaze while she watched him from the doorway. He walked to the drawer, grabbed Vinny’s key, and stopped in front of her on his way out. “I’m going.”

  She nodded.

  He started down the hall, surprised when he had to wipe at his cheeks again. Grieving the death of Nicoli Caparelli was nothing he’d ever expected.

  “Reed,” Bella called as he made it to the front desk.

  He stopped and turned.

  She hurried after him, holding his gaze as she closed the distance between them.

  He automatically reached for her hands as he scrutinized the myriad emotions playing over her face—sorrow, regret. “What is it?”

  “I don’t—” She shook her head. “I can’t be with—we can’t…” She lifted his hand and cradled his palm against her cheek. “I don’t want you to be sad. I don’t want you to hurt.”

  He pulled her against him, loving her impossibly more as he wrapped her up in a tight hug and closed his eyes. Bella’s intention was to offer comfort and support because she was too kind not to, but she was ripping him apart. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and let her go. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

  She nodded.

  He turned and pushed through the door, noting that the clouds were starting to swallow the sun as he got in his truck. Taking his seat, he slammed his hands against the steering wheel. “Fuck!” This wasn’t right. Things weren’t supposed to have turned out this way. They loved each other, damn it. And Bella needed him. She was dealing with Vinny’s last moments on her own when he’d promised to be there for her. He swore again as he yanked his phone out of his pocket and dialed Ethan.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, it’s Reed.” He let his head settle back against the rest. “I’m at the hospice center. Vinny’s more than likely not going to make it through the day.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m going to call Tyson and see if he can cover Sadie. I’ll take a couple of round-the-clock shifts to make it up to him.”

  “We’ll figure something out.”

  He turned over the ignition and secured his seat belt, ready to be on his way. “Vinny asked me to do something. I want to get it taken care of before the landlord rents out his place and I can’t get in there anymore.”

  “Why don’t I call Tyson for you?”

  He backed out of his spot, glancing at Bella’s car in the rearview mirror. “I appreciate it.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

  “I will. Thanks.” He hung up and pulled into traffic, starting east toward the 405. Pressing on the gas, he watched the miles pass, making it to Reseda in an hour’s time. He eased to a stop on Darby Avenue, looking around before he got out at the curb, well aware that even as Vinny lay on
his deathbed, the threats to his life were still very real. As far as the mafia was concerned, the contract was worth a payout until Nicoli Caparelli was six feet under.

  He unlocked the door and stopped in the empty living room, noting that the landlord hadn’t wasted any time moving Vinny’s stuff out—not that there had been much. Making a quick sweep of the small place, he went back to the bedroom where the rug had once been and crouched down, trying to figure out which board hid Bella’s money. He gave the slats a wiggle until he found the loose piece of wood and pried it free.

  “Bingo,” he muttered, lifting an old Nike shoebox out of the tight space. He opened it, whooshing out a breath as he stared at the nine-millimeter pistol and rolls of cash. “Holy shit,” he whispered, picking up a bundle, realizing that there were dozens upon dozens of hundred dollar bills. There had to be half a million dollars here—easy. He grabbed the two pictures tucked along the side: one of Vinny and Bella’s mother when Kelly Colby had been very young and pregnant. Vinny’s eyes had been soft—in love and happy. Then he looked at sweet Bella Colby grinning her huge grin as she sat in the child’s seat on the back of Vinny’s bike. The happy life she’d had—the one she wanted back and actively sought. The one he could no longer offer her or be a part of.

  Sighing, he set the gun on the floor then picked up the folded sheet of notebook paper taped to the inside top and opened it, reading Vinny’s handwriting.

  Bella,

  Have a happy life. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.

  I love you,

  Dad

  He folded it closed and shut the box, then checked the safety on the weapon before shoving the Glock into the back of his jeans. He looked around the empty room, put the board back, and stood, leaving Vinny Pescoe’s house for the last time.

  ~~~~

  Bella sat by Dad’s bedside, listening to the soothing cricket song playing through the open French doors. She held his hand, staring at him in the dim lamplight, etching into her mind her final hours with her father while he slept. Throughout most of the evening, Wanda had been in and out of the room, checking on both her and Dad as his breathing patterns changed and the end grew nearer. She studied his sunken eyes and hollow cheeks, already mourning the short amount of time they’d had together. Memories of bike rides and bedtime stories were hardly enough. She wanted so much more. When she knocked on his door, she’d anticipated years together, not months. Dad was supposed to have walked her down the aisle and snuggled his grandbabies. They were supposed to have sat around festive holiday tables and unwrapped gifts under beautifully decorated trees, but that would never be.

  She squeezed his fingers as she suddenly grew afraid, realizing she was losing her only link to the past. “Daddy,” she whispered in a shuddering breath, willing him to wake up and share happy stories she could cling to long after he was gone. “You were so handsome and Mom so pretty.” She smiled, thinking of the few pictures she had. “Like a fairy tale—”

  Someone interrupted with a gentle knock on the door.

  She turned, squashing her disappointment when Wanda stood in the doorway instead of Reed.

  “I have some dinner for you, honey.” Wanda held up a white bag from Bella’s favorite deli. “Reed brought it by. He told me to tell you to eat it.”

  She closed her eyes, missing him—needing him. “Thank you.”

  Wanda set the paper sack on the table and walked to Bella’s side, resting her hand on her shoulder. “I can give him a call if you would like. I’m sure he’ll come back and sit with you.”

  She shook her head as she sniffled. “Reed and I—we’re not seeing each other anymore.”

  Wanda’s eyes softened with understanding. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  She plucked a tissue from the box and wiped her nose. “Sometimes things don’t work out.”

  “Maybe they will for you. I’ve been doing this job for almost fifteen years, and life and love still never cease to amaze me.”

  Bella shook her head again, certain that there would be no happy ending for her and Reed. “I don’t think so.”

  Wanda gave her a sympathetic squeeze. “Make sure you have something to eat, honey.”

  She nodded. “I will.”

  “I’ll come check on you in a little while.”

  “Thank you,” she said, staring at the bag on the table, catching a whiff of her favorite sandwich as Wanda left. She turned away as she flashed back to her embrace with Reed this morning—when he’d wrapped her up tight the way she missed the most. She’d been helpless to do anything but hurry after him when she watched a tear roll down his cheek after he gave Dad a hug. Her family had murdered his father, grandfather, and uncle, yet he’d been nothing but wonderful to both her and her dad. Except for Reed telling her lie after lie for months on end, he was pretty much the perfect guy. Her breath trembled in and out as she shook her head, not wanting to think of him anymore.

  “He loves you,” Dad mumbled.

  Her gaze whipped to his as she clutched his hand. “Daddy.”

  His face scrunched up in pain. “I’m tired, Bella.”

  Lucy stood from her spot close by and walked over to the bed.

  “She’s a good dog.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  His gaze wandered back to Bella’s. “You’re a good girl, Bella. You’re the best thing that’s ever come out of my life. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  Tears rained down her cheeks, knowing that he was saying good-bye. “I love you, Daddy.” She pressed his hand to her cheek. “No matter what happened, I love you, and I’m proud of you for doing what you could to make things right. I’m so lucky to call you my dad.”

  He opened his trembling hand, holding his palm against her skin. “I want you to be happy—to be okay.”

  She tried to smile. “I will be. I am.”

  “Don’t walk away from Reed so easy. You get only one love of your life.”

  Her smile crumbled into quiet crying.

  “Don’t cry, Bella.” He groaned in pain. “Don’t cry for me.”

  She wiped her eyes.

  “I’m so tired.”

  “I know you are.” She brushed the hair back from his forehead. “I know you are, Daddy. Close your eyes.” She kissed his cheek. “You can go. I’m going to be just fine.”

  “Don’t let Reed go, Bella,” he said quietly. “I love you, Bella Boop.”

  “I love you too.” She rested her head against the side of his hand as he held hers. “I love you, Daddy.”

  He breathed in and out several times in the quiet of the night before his hand went lax on hers.

  She looked up, waiting for his chest to rise again, but it didn’t. “Oh, Daddy. Oh, Daddy, good-bye.” She kept his hand gripped in hers as she pressed her face to Lucy’s neck and sobbed.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Reed sat at his desk, staring out into the dark through his open bedroom window. He had work to do—a couple of follow-up questions to answer for the DA. And he still needed to respond to Skylar’s texts. Earlier this afternoon, Evidence Response had brought up another body. Not long after, the anthropologists found a bullet lodged in the corpse’s skull. Things were moving along in New York, but he couldn’t focus on the Caparellis right now. His mind was on Bella. For hours, she’d occupied his thoughts. Not a minute had passed when he hadn’t wondered and worried about her. He could barely tolerate the idea of her sitting by Vinny’s side alone, but that’s what she seemed to want, so he’d done what he could to offer her support by dropping off a freaking turkey sandwich while her father lay on his deathbed.

  He rubbed at his tense jaw and gave his attention back to the laptop. The sooner he wrapped this up, the better. He settled his fingers on home row and got to work just as his phone started ringing. Pausing mid-thought, he glanced at the screen and yanked it up when Southern California Hospice Center popped up on the readout. “Hello?”

  “Reed, this is Wanda from hospice.”

&nb
sp; He sat farther up in his seat. “Hey. How’s Vinny?” Although he was afraid he already knew.

  “I’m sorry to say that he passed away about half an hour ago.”

  He closed his eyes and steamed out a breath. “How’s Bella doing?”

  “I think she might need you.”

  He clenched his jaw, wishing that were true, but the last person Bella wanted or needed was him. “I’m not so sure—” He cleared his throat. “We’re not together anymore.”

  “Vinny made me promise to give you a call after he passed. He told me that Bella would need you and you would come.”

  “All right.” He stood and grabbed a T-shirt from his drawer to pair with the black athletic shorts he was already wearing as he slipped his feet into his flip-flops. “I’ll be right there.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Okay.” He ran down the stairs and snagged his keys off the counter, then hurried to his truck, making quick work of heading toward the hospice center. Vinny was gone and Bella was left to grieve on her own. Maybe that’s exactly the way she wanted it, but he’d promised Vinny he would take care of her—whether she liked it or not. Probably she would ask him to leave, but he was going to make sure she was all right first.

  He breezed through several green lights, then pressed on the gas when the next light turned yellow. Within minutes, he was pulling into a parking spot close to Bella’s car and jogging to the door. He stepped inside and moved to the front desk.

  Wanda stood from her chair, blinking as she glanced from her watch to him. “That was quick.”

  He slid his fingers through his hair. “We live right down the road.”

  “Thank you for coming, honey.”

  He would have been here all along if it had been up to him. “She’s down with Vinny?”

  “Yes. Bella told me she wanted to be alone, but I think she could use some support.”

  He nodded and walked down the hall, stopping in the doorway as he stared at Bella hunched in her seat, clutching Vinny’s hand between both of hers while Lucy sat close by her side. He exhaled a quiet breath as he moved to her chair, crouching down next to her. “Hey, beautiful.”