8. Belle

eight

Belle

" L ook who finally woke up." Claire teases as I walk into the study. "We haven't seen Dom yet this morning either. Is there something you want to tell us?"

Claire and Nick patiently wait for me to answer. I at least owe them some explanation since they've been working so hard to get Dom and me alone together.

Heat creeps into my cheeks, and I know it's not from being out in the sun yesterday. "We, ah, had sex on the beach and then back in my room all night long," I say, not wanting to go into too much detail.

"I'm glad you were able to bang out whatever issues you were having." Nick snickers, earning him a playful slap on the shoulder from Claire.

"Nick, have you seen Dom?" Mario enters the study, saving me from any more embarrassing conversations about exactly how Dom and I banged out our issues.

"We haven't seen him all morning he might be upstairs in his bedroom. Why do you have any news about the fire and who started it?" Nick inquires.

"There is Nothing concrete, but I've been told it's safe for us to return to the city."

"Let me go tell him the good news." I plead with Mario.

"Okay, that will give me time to try up some loose ends before we leave." He nods before leaving the study.

Excited to tell him the good news that it is safe to return to the city, I run up the stairs and rush to his bedroom. I smile when I notice the door is slightly ajar and remember everything Dom and I did last night on the beach and later in my room.

Will it be awkward to see him the morning after?

He kissed me on the forehead before sliding out of my bed this morning, telling me he had some business to attend to. According to all the romance books I've read, the forehead kiss is almost like the kiss of death after a hot, steaming night of making love. Usually, when the male lead does that to the female lead, he is trying to get rid of her without hurting her feelings.

My smile falters as I think about Dom pushing me aside for someone new. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, I push the door open, ready to question our relationship when I see them by Dom's bed. Dom is still wet from the shower, with a towel hanging low at his waist, and Jessica is also naked, with their bodies pressed together and their mouths locked in a kiss.

I guess that answers my question. Dom has moved on to Jessica.

Silently, I back out of the room, letting the tears fall freely down my face, and run down the hallway in search of Claire and Nick.

Bile rises in my throat. I need to get out of here, away from that cheating asshole. Why was I so stupid to believe he would want me forever when he barely wanted me for two weeks?

God, has it only been two weeks since I met him at the sex club and gave him my virginity?

I stop in front of the study, where Nick and Claire are sitting by the fireplace. I walk in, "Nick, I need you to get me out of here. Dom obviously doesn't want me now that she is here."

"Belle, what's going on? What happened between you and Dom? Why are you crying?" Claire rushes to my side, throwing her arms around me.

"I found him with Jessica in his bedroom. They looked pretty cozy."

"Belle, you don't know what you are talking about. Dom only wants you. He has never wanted Jessica." Nick says, moving to stand next to Claire.

I turn my gaze to Nick, "I know what I saw: both of them wet from the shower, only his towel separating their naked bodies, embracing in a passionate kiss."

Nick flinches at my description, "Give Dom a chance to explain. I'm sure he can clear this whole little misunderstanding up."

Pushing myself out of Claire's arms, I stomp in front of Nick, placing my hands on my hips, "Little misunderstanding? This is a huge issue, one that I'm done with."

"He would never cheat on you. You mean a lot to him." He reaches out and touches my arm.

I shrug off his touch, "If I were so important to him, he would be here with me now instead of screwing her in his bedroom."

He opens his mouth and then closes it again, looking at Claire.

"Please, Nick, you said it is safe to return to the city. Take me back tonight. Don't make me stay here any longer, knowing that I mean nothing to him. Having to stay in the same house with those two having sex all night would be torture." And I know they will. Dom is insatiable in his lust.

He lets out a breath and concedes, "Okay, I will have Rick fly you home tonight. Go pack your things, and I will have the driver take you to the airstrip."

"I don't have anything to pack. Nothing here is mine. It never was." My shoulders drop, and I'm suddenly exhausted.

Nick nods, pulling his phone from his pants pocket and dialing a number before bringing the phone to his ear, "Rick, I need you to prepare for take-off. Belle will be returning to the city tonight." He pauses, "No, just Belle." He ends the call.

"Thank you, Nick." I let out a ragged breath. Wanting nothing more than to go home and forget I ever met Dom.

"I'll take you to the car." He gives me a sad smile, takes my arm, and leads me to the garage.

I'm thankful for his support. I'm so numb that I'm not sure I would have been able to stand on my own.

"I'm going with her," Claire calls from behind us.

"Claire." Nick stops and turns to face Claire.

"No, Nick, she is my friend and needs me right now. Please." She touches his cheek with her palm, staring into his eyes. So much love is shining in her eyes that I have to look away. My heart can't handle the sight, having recently been ripped in two.

He turns his head and kisses her palm. "Anything for you, love."

I refuse to cause these two any pain by separating them, "No, Claire, I want to be alone. You stay here with Nick."

"But…"

"No buts, Claire, I'll be fine." I give her a watery smile as I feel Nick's shoulders relax next to me.

She sighs, "Ok, but I might have to kick Dom's ass for breaking your heart. Or rip out Jessica's hair extensions for being such a skank."

I laugh at her comments, feeling my mood lighten slightly at the thought of Claire kicking Dom's ass.

"I didn't know my little angel was so bloodthirsty." Nick raises his eyebrow at Claire with a wicked grin, causing her face to go bright red.

"Okay, you two lovebirds. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid like kick Dom's ass myself." I try to laugh, but Dom's name feels like ash in my mouth.

Nick and I continue walking to the garage, Claire staying behind, "Call me when you get home, so I know you are safe."

"Yes, Mom," I reply, rolling my eyes.

"I love you, Belle!" She shouts.

"I love you too, Claire!" I yell over my shoulder with a slight wave.

Once in the garage, Nick leads me to the car. "Thank you for not taking her away from me," Nick says quietly as he opens the car door for me.

"She belongs here with you. Take care of her."

"I will. And for what it's worth, I know Dom loves you. When you're ready, let him explain his side of what you saw tonight."

"Thank you, Nick, for loving your brother. He needs that in his life." I close the car door, not giving Nick a chance to reply.

***

The ride to the airstrip doesn't take long, but it feels like a lifetime. I let the tears fall freely now. Mourning the loss of Dom. The future I so foolishly let my mind hope for.

I'm a hot mess of tears and hiccups when I board the plane. Thankfully, Rick is too polite to say anything about my appearance, guiding me to my seat without a word.

I sit down, secure the seatbelt around my waist, then look out the window and wait for the pain in my heart to go away.

"Is this seat taken?" I look up to find Joseph waiting for my reply.

"Um, no, go ahead and have a seat." I motion to the seat across from me, wiping the tears from my face before Joseph can comment on them.

Sitting across from me, Joseph says, "It's okay to cry, Belle. I feel like crying myself." He scrubs his hand down his face. "Shit, they fooled me too, you know."

"W-what are you talking about who fooled you?" I hold my breath and wait for him to clarify who he's talking about.

"Dom and Jessica. I confronted her earlier today, and she admitted that she and Dom have been lovers for years." He sighs, turning to look out the window. "Jessica cheating on me doesn't really bother me, but Dom, Dom is my blood, the leader of our family. It's disgraceful." He looks back at me, a crazed look flashing through his eyes, which makes me flinch.

This man is unstable. I see that now. I need to be careful around him. So, I choose my next words carefully, "What else did Jessica say about, their affair." I choke out the words.

"She said Dom approached her five years ago when we first started dating, and I introduced them. According to Jessica, that same night after I dropped her off, Dom went to her place, and they had sex. They have been sneaking around behind my back ever since."

I don't know how to respond, but he reaches out and grabs my hand before I can, "We need to get back at them. If we had sex, that would show them. Give them a taste of their own medicine." The sneer on his face is almost inhuman.

I jerk my hand back, "Sorry, Joseph, I'm not ready to be with anyone else, even for revenge."

"If you change your mind, let me know." He shrugs and leans back in his seat.

I glance at the flight attendant sitting by the cockpit and notice her watching our interaction with interest. She stands up and moves to the galley, where she grabs the drink cart. "Can I get either of you a drink?" she asks, stopping her cart beside Joseph and blocking him in his seat.

I excuse myself and go to the bathroom to clear my head. Once I feel a little calmer, I return to my seat. Joseph seems interested in something on his phone and ignores me for the rest of the trip home.