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

by Beauman, Cate

“I’ll, um, I’ll see you around.” She turned and walked off.

  He stood where he was, shoving his hands in his pockets as he sighed, not quite ready to say good-bye. “Hey, Bella?”

  She stopped and turned back.

  “Thanks for helping out with Aunt Bonnie.” He moved her way, closing the distance between them, wanting every moment he could squeeze out of this opportunity. Not being able to wake up with her every day was bad enough. Not even being able to talk to her was pure torture.

  “I think she was missing Lucy.”

  “Chocolate cake at the ocean?”

  She shrugged and sent him one of her excellent grins. “We had a good time.”

  “Mom says Aunt Bonnie’s still talking about it.”

  “I like your family, Reed.”

  “They love you.” And the tension was back just like that. “Anyway, thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Don’t forget to tell the girls I say hello.”

  “I won’t.”

  He nodded and walked around to his front door, stepping into his empty house when he wanted nothing more than to wrap himself up in Bella.

  ~~~~

  Bella rushed around the kitchen, making certain that everything was in place for the girls. Snacks were set on the table in their usual spot, a variety of nail polishes waited to be used on the floor, and the supplies she needed for therapeutic facials were ready in the living room. “That should be everything,” she said as she leaned back against the pantry door. Now if only she could find some of her usual energy. Her butt was officially dragging after last night’s gorge fest on the beach and her emotional purge in Wren’s supportive arms. It was safe to say that she was teetering on the edge of true exhaustion. She’d been pushing herself hard despite her inability to sleep, doing whatever she could to ignore just how unhappy she was. After her quick run-in with Reed this morning, she felt completely wrung out. For several minutes afterward, she’d toyed with the idea of calling Emilia’s aunt and rescheduling for next weekend, but she couldn’t do that to two of her favorite people. This afternoon was bound to be as good for her as it would be the girls.

  A car pulled up in the driveway, and she smiled when Lucy hurried to the door. “It sounds like your friends are here. Hold on a minute while I go get them.” She walked outside, grinning as Emilia and Bianca got out of Aunt Peggy’s new minivan. “There’s my girls.”

  They came running. “Bella!”

  She crouched down and hugged them, gripping them tight. “I’ve missed you two. How are you?”

  “Good,” they said in unison.

  “That’s great.” She kissed their cheeks.

  Emilia frowned as she eased back, looking around. “Where’s Reed?”

  She glanced toward his house. “He, uh, he has some stuff to do today.”

  “Oh,” Emilia said as she looked down.

  “Emilia made him a card,” Bianca supplied.

  “She did?” Bella looked at Emilia. “You did?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll make sure he gets it.”

  “Okay.” But her disappointment was obvious.

  “Come on. Let’s go inside.” She ushered the girls into the house, waiting while they showered Lucy with hugs and kisses. Sighing, she watched Emilia struggle to pet the puppy and hold the card at the same time. “Sweetie, I can take that for you.”

  “Thanks.” Emilia handed it over and went back to loving on Lucy.

  Bella started toward the kitchen, opening the folded sheet of printing paper, and stopped as she studied the crayon drawings: flowers, rainbows, and butterflies, but it was the recent picture of Emilia—scars and all—taped in the center that made her press her hand to her heart. Her eyes filled as she glanced Emilia’s way, understanding just how big of a breakthrough this was for the little girl. Nibbling her lip, she looked out the window at Reed’s truck parked in the driveway, then back at the sweet six-year-old who needed all the love and support she could get. “Emilia, I know Reed has a few things to do today, but we could go knock on his door if you want.”

  Emilia gained her feet. “We can?”

  “Sure.”

  “Now?”

  “If you want.”

  She smiled. “I want to.”

  “Okay. Let’s go.” She straightened her shoulders as she walked next door, bracing herself for another encounter with Reed when one today had been more than enough. He’d looked completely worn out but delicious nonetheless. “Go ahead and knock.”

  The girls curled their small fists and gave a couple of solid pounds, then looked at her when he didn’t answer.

  “Maybe try another.” Bella added her own knock while the girls pounded again.

  “Why isn’t he coming?” Bianca wanted to know.

  “He might have his music on. Sometimes he listens to it loud when he exercises. We’ll come back later.” She winced when Emilia’s face fell. “Or we can try again right now.” She tested the doorknob and smiled when she found that it turned in her hand. “Let me see if this is a good time for him. He’s probably upstairs boxing.” She stepped inside, realizing that the house was silent. “Come stand right here.”

  The girls stepped into the living room, and she shut the door, locking it, constantly thinking of the Caparellis.

  “I’ll be right back. Stay here.”

  “We’ll stay here,” Bianca assured.

  She walked quietly up the steps, straining her ears in the quiet, listening for the shower running in the master bathroom, but she didn’t hear anything as she moved down the hall. “Reed?” She peeked in his gym and kept going, stopping dead in his bedroom doorway as she stared at him lying facedown on his bed, still fully clothed in the jeans and T-shirt she’d accidentally soaked. “Oh, my God. Reed.” She rushed over to him and shook his arm. “Reed—”

  He rolled, yanking on her wrist, pulling her down on the bed. Before she knew what was happening, he was straddling her waist and pointing a gun in her face.

  She gasped, holding her hands up as her chest heaved. “It’s me. It’s just me.”

  He blinked several times, and the fierce coldness vanished from his sleepy eyes. “Jesus.” He dropped his weapon to his side. “What the hell, Bella?”

  Was that Mad Dog McKinley? Was the frightening man she’d just witnessed the same guy who’d buried himself in the Caparelli trenches for seven years? “I’m—I’m sorry. I didn’t…” She pressed a hand to her racing heart. “I’m sorry,” she said again.

  He climbed off her and set the gun on the side table as he sat next to her. “I was dead asleep.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “What’s going on?”

  “The girls.” She sat up, wanting to stand, but she couldn’t guarantee her legs would hold her just yet. “They’re downstairs. Emilia made you something.”

  “She did?”

  She nodded, itching to smooth down his spiky hair. “I can tell them this isn’t a good time.”

  He stood, grabbing his gun. “I’ll come down and see them.” Walking to his closet, he grabbed a lockbox and secured his weapon, then pulled off his shirt, tossing it toward the laundry basket in the corner.

  She stared at his broad shoulders and powerful chest as he walked to his drawer. Had it really been almost two weeks since she’d touched him, since he’d pressed her into the mattress with that gorgeous body of his? It didn’t take much to remember his taste or the way he felt when he pushed himself deep inside her.

  He grabbed another shirt and slid it on, holding her gaze. “Is everything okay?”

  Nothing was okay. “Yeah.” She stood, whether her legs were ready or not. “Fine.” She moved down the hall and started downstairs.

  “Wait.” He took her hand, stopping her on the third step from the top.

  “What.” She turned, facing him when she was in desperate need of some space.

  He moved down two stairs so they were eye-level. “Everything’s been good? You haven’t seen anything? I
should have asked you earlier when we were outside, but…” He shook his head. “I guess I’m just tired.”

  “Uh, there’s been nothing,” she said as her gaze wandered to his firm lips before meeting his eyes again. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  He traced her skin with his thumb. “No cars lingering by the house or at work—someone you keep seeing at the beach?”

  “No,” she said breathlessly, wanting to pull away from his touch, but she needed to feel it more. “Do you know something? Is something going on that you’re not telling me?”

  “I haven’t heard anything new.”

  “Why did you have your gun?”

  “I don’t know. Old habit, I guess.”

  Unable to take it any longer, she lifted her free hand and slid her fingers through his hair, fixing the few disheveled pieces.

  “Thanks.” His thumb went to work along her knuckles as they continued to stare into each other’s eyes.

  “I, um—” She pulled away from him before she caved to her weakness for Reed and let him kiss her. “The girls.” She hurried down the stairs, panicking momentarily when she didn’t see them, but then she noticed the cartoon on the television and Emilia’s ponytail cascading over the arm of the couch. “I see you two have made yourselves at home.”

  “We like the couch,” Bianca said. “It’s comfy.”

  Reed poured himself a glass of water. “It’s a good couch.”

  “Reed!” Both of the girls scrambled off the cushions and launched themselves at him.

  He hooked an arm around their waists, cushioning the blow as the momentum of the hug sent the three of them crashing into the fridge. “Whoa. That’s a whole lot of hug.” He crouched down in front of them.

  Bianca frowned. “You look sleepy.”

  He nodded. “I am. I didn’t go to bed last night.”

  She touched the dark circles under his eyes. “How come?”

  “That’s part of my job sometimes.”

  Bella stood by the island, watching him as she thought of a teenage girl in need of his protection—of him sitting up for hours, keeping watch.

  Bianca wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want that job.”

  He grinned. “I like my job.”

  “I’m going to be a doctor and make it so kids don’t get sick.”

  “Sounds like a good profession.” He looked at Emilia. “What about you? What are you going to be?”

  She shook her head as she shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”

  “You have plenty of time to decide.”

  “I made something for you.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He sat down on the floor, pulling the girls onto each of his thighs. “Let’s see.” He took the card from Emilia. “‘To Reed. Love Emilia.’ We’re off to a great start.”

  Emilia smiled.

  He opened it, beaming as his eyes tracked over the page. “You made this for me?”

  Emilia nodded. “What’s your favorite part?”

  “It’s hard to choose. These are top-notch drawings, but I think your picture might be my favorite. Hold this.” He gave her the piece of paper back, then hooked an arm around each of the girls’ waists and stood, lifting both kids as if they weighed nothing.

  They laughed.

  “Here we go.” He set them back down. “This is going on my fridge right away.” He took the card back from Emilia and secured it to the refrigerator with a magnet.

  “That’s you and Bella.” Bianca pointed to the strip of pictures from Julie and Chase’s wedding. “You look silly. Except for that one. That one looks normal.” She pointed to the last picture, in which they held each other close and smiled. “Are you guys gonna get married?”

  “Uh…” Reed rubbed at the back of his neck. “I think we’re going to take things a day at a time.”

  Bella crossed her arms as she laughed uncomfortably. “We should probably get going.”

  Emilia and Bianca looked at her.

  “But I didn’t tell Reed about my surgery yet.”

  Emilia hadn’t told Bella about it either. “Go ahead.”

  He crouched down next to her. “You’re having your surgery?”

  She nodded. “They’re gonna take off my leg for sure.” She pointed to the dressings on another new ulcer.

  “When?”

  “I don’t know. Soon, though.”

  He took Emilia’s hand. “Don’t forget I’m going to come see you.”

  “You’re going to bring flowers.”

  He nodded. “I happen to be good at picking out pretty ones.”

  Bella exhaled a quiet breath. He was good at picking out pretty ones.

  “How will you know when to come to the hospital?” Emilia asked.

  “Bella’s going to tell me.” He glanced at her.

  She stepped closer. “I’ll let Reed know, honey.”

  “You’re really going to come?”

  “Definitely,” he said with a decisive nod.

  “Promise?”

  “Try and keep me away.”

  She smiled before it faded. “I won’t be able to come to Bella’s house for a while. I’m probably going to miss you a lot.”

  Bella blinked, certain she couldn’t take any more.

  “I’ll miss you too, but my truck can take me anywhere—to the hospital, to your house. Just because you can’t come to Bella’s doesn’t mean we can’t see each other. I’m going to need more pictures for my fridge. Look at all of that empty space.”

  Emilia smiled. “Okay.”

  Bella turned toward the window. How was she supposed to resist him when he was so sweet? Because he was—kind and wonderful. She would have given just about anything to make the last few months not matter—to forgive and forget—but the last few months were all they had. How many times had he looked her in the eyes and lied? How often had he given her the truth? And there was the problem: she had no idea. Turning back, she realized he was staring at her while the girls chatted about the strip of pictures on the freezer door. “We should go.”

  “Okay,” the girls said in unison.

  He held her gaze another moment before he gave his attention back to the kids. “Thanks for swinging by, ladies.”

  Emilia and Bianca hugged him.

  He hugged them back. “I’ll see you around.”

  Emilia held on to him after Bianca walked away. “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’m going to see you after your surgery.” He kissed her cheek. “And I love the picture.”

  She smiled. “You can come to Bella’s with us.”

  He looked at Bella again. “Maybe next time. I have some stuff I need to do.”

  “All right.”

  Bella opened the door. “Thanks for letting us intrude.”

  “Anytime.” He took her hand before she could leave as the girls started walking next door. “Come out on the bike with me tonight. Let me take you to dinner.”

  She shook her head, terrified she would say yes when she knew she needed to say no. “I can’t.”

  He clenched his jaw and let her go. “Okay.”

  She walked out, hurrying across the yard to where the girls waited, not daring to look back. This couldn’t keep happening. Her heart couldn’t take any more close encounters with Reed.

  ~~~~

  The house was quiet again and the mess cleaned up after a busy few hours with the girls. They’d had a great time snacking on healthy treats, listening to music, and painting nails—the usual. Lucy was stuck with pink and purple paws for the next couple of weeks, but the zonked-out puppy didn’t seem to mind too much.

  Bella smiled, listening to Lucy’s snoring as she pulled a tank top from the dryer and folded it, then set it on top of the machine in a neat stack. This afternoon had started out a little rocky, but for once she felt relatively steady—like she was ready to tackle her upcoming workweek with a positive state of mind. The key was to keep putting one foot in front of the other and staying busy—like she had today.

  With a de
cisive nod, she reached into the dryer again and grabbed a T-shirt, stopping mid-fold when she realized it was one of Reed’s. She frowned, glancing at the five others she’d folded without even thinking. Two weeks’ worth of laundry had piled up—and apparently some of it was his. She set his shirt aside and grabbed another item, huffing out a breath when she held his gray hoodie—one of her favorite cozy items she often slipped on.

  She glanced around the room, spotting his shoes tucked in the corner by the French doors and his protein powder on the counter. There were reminders of him everywhere—in the bathroom, bedroom, living room. It was bad enough that he hadn’t come for his stuff, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to get away from him. Last night, there’d been Aunt Bonnie and her conversation with Wren. This morning Lucy had booked it around the house to say hello. Then there was the whole thing upstairs in his room when she stopped off with the girls to deliver Emilia’s card. How was this supposed to work when he lived right next door? She tossed the sweatshirt back into the dryer and slammed the door closed. “I can’t do this anymore.”

  Lucy lifted her head.

  “This isn’t working.” She rushed to the closet and yanked a canvas bin from the shelf, dumping out a pile of Lucy’s bath items on the floor. Hurrying into the kitchen, she grabbed Reed’s Ethan Cooke Security mug and protein powders off the counter. She opened cupboards and tossed his cereals and snack crackers in as well, wanting no reminders of him left in her space. His sneakers went in next before she moved to the living room, plucking up flip-flops, a DVD, and one of his favorite pairs of sunglasses. She went for the picture frames on the shelves, pulling off the one she loved best of herself, Reed, and Lucy at the beach. She stopped, staring at their grinning faces pressed cheek to cheek, and closed her eyes as her breathing grew unsteady. “I can’t do this anymore,” she repeated when the panic started settling in. She was never going to stop loving him. Decades would pass, but he would always be the one.

  “No,” she said as she set the frame picture side down and sat on the couch. She needed to take drastic measures—make big changes. Today. She crossed her arms, giving them a gentle rub while her mind raced, trying to figure out the solution. “The house.” She rushed to her feet and moved to the entryway table for her phone. “My house.” She scrolled through her contacts until she found her real estate agent and dialed.