Bella #1 (Sagatori Family Saga #1) (16 page)

I remained still in my seat as I continued to watch him. W
e’
d gone three blocks and his eyes never met mine. I wanted to talk to him and see what was wrong, but the silence felt more inviting.

“I’
ll be taking you home
.
” His voiced ushered me from my thoughts.

“
Where will you go
?
”

“
Business Bella
.
” He answered with an  annoyed tone.

“
Of course. Well then,
I’
ll just sit in the castle and wait for my prince to rescue me
.
” I flipped my hair from my face.

His body was against mine before my hand left contact with the dark strands
.“
Comments like that make me want to kill every man in this town
.
” His hand was at my throat. His eyes were dark and his growl was deep coming from a place he hid well
.“
Do you understand Bella
?
”

I shook under his touch. My throat pained where his fingers pressed into the flesh. When I did
n’
t answer he pressed harder
.“
Yes
!
” I choked.

He released his hand from my throat pulling my lips flush with his
.“
I asked you a question earlier and you continue to ignore it
.
”

I knew the question and I knew what he wanted, but I would
n’
t give it to him. He could beat me to death if he wanted, but I would
n’
t be treated like that again. My pathetic tears pooled at the corners of my eyes. He could see them and as the first slipped I breathed the word I knew he did
n’
t want
.“
No
.
” H
e’
d said he would respect me. H
e’
d lied. So why should I respect him?

Perhaps Sam was
n’
t the one I shoul
d’
ve been scared of. Perhaps it was him, Jax Moretti. Perhaps he was the man that orchestrated this entire thing. Truthfully, he was no better than Sam. Sam was bad. H
e’
d wanted me that night. I could
n’
t bring myself to admit wha
t’
d almost happened and I refused to let it inside my head again.
I’
d kill him and
I’
d kill Jax if he ever lay another hand on me.

Ja
x’
s eyes growled at me with hate. It was more than clear he hated me when the word left my lips. I was
n’
t okay with that. Because I knew he would
n’
t let me go, I saw that more than anything. I could see deep down in the swirling colors of his eyes that this was a game he intended to win, but why? He could have what he wanted. I knew I was only a side item that lingered until it was
n’
t needed anymore. Why did he want to treat me so badly?

He snapped his hand away and leaned back onto the seat. He looked down as he slipped on his black leather gloves
.“
You think I do
n’
t know what yo
u’
re thinking
?
” He stared out the window. I remained quiet, hugging myself in the seat
.“I’
m no better than him. Like yo
u’
d said before
.
”

His admittance confused me. Everything about Jax Moretti confused me
.“
If you touch me like that again, yo
u’
d better kill me
.
” I said as I adjusted my hair. My throat hurt, but I would
n’
t give him the satisfaction of watching me comfort myself. If he was vile enough to put his hands on me, h
e’
d probably get off on it
.“
Or
I’
ll kill you
.
”

His brows set firmly and his eyes stared out the window
.“
Threats will get you nowhere with me Isabella
.
” He growled from under his brows. Chills ran down my spine. I knew why this was all wrong. He was
just
like Sam. That look, those eyes. Made men were
made
to kill and he was the boss. Why for one second did I think he was different? He played me in the beginning.

And now I knew the truth.

My days and nights were filled with emptiness. I had
n’
t seen Jax in five days. He dropped me off after h
e’
d grabbed my throat and never came back.
I’
d been asking my round the clock protection Dominic and Tommy, but they'd refused to answer me when
I’
d asked.

I wanted so badly to fire them, but of course I was
n’
t their boss. They made it very clear they were
n’
t going anywhere. I tried to keep myself busy, cooking in the kitchen with Alessandra most afternoons. She was such a sweet woman. Sh
e’
s spent most of the days teaching me to cook. I was never taught and my momma had died before she could teach me. It was nice to have someone close to me that did
n’
t want to kill me or guard me to death.

Alessandra and I had made risotto for lunch, I packed some away in the refrigerator for later. She went about her usual routine after w
e’
d hung out and I drifted through the Chicago Post. I flipped through the articles mindlessly while
Sarah Fimm
played through my ear phones.

Every once in a while my eyes would wonder to the cold cloudy day from the red chair I sat wrapped in. Dominic approached me and removed the earphone from my ears. I wanted to object, but could
n’
t before he spoke.

“
Ther
e’
s an FBI Agent here to see you.
I’
m going to have her sent up but Mrs. Moretti you do not have to answer her questions without an attorney present. I will call Mr. Moretti and inform him
.
” I gave a dark stare. Jax was
n’
t answering my calls, but h
e’
d answer Domini
c’
s calls? Nice. Dominic came back into the room with his suit jacket over his shoulder and a phone to his ear
.“I’
ll let her know boss
.
” He slid his phone in his pocket.

“
And
?
” I asked annoyed.

“
He said sit tight, h
e’
ll be here shortly. Oh and he also said not to say a word to them
.
”

“
Seriously? What the hell am I going to say
?
” I knew why they were here, I was
n’
t stupid.
I’
d been approached by several FBI in the past wanting information on my father. I laughed in their faces then and
I’
d do it this time too. I knew that coming after me meant they did
n’
t have anything on anyone else. Bastards. Once again
I’
d be used to get to someone else.

I stood when the doorbell chimed. Alessandra stayed close to me. Her support was all I had.

The female agent walked into the apartment with a whistle
.“
Wow, nice apartment Mrs. Moretti. Hi there,
I’
m Agent Devano
.
” She smiled as she offered her hand. Play nice Bella.

“
Hello
,
” I took her hand
.“
Please have a seat
.
” I could see Alessandra shifting in her chair. She was uncomfortable with this as much as I was, but
I’
d fake it 'till I made it
.“
What brings you by
?
”

The lonely looking woman pulled a grin onto her dull face
.“
My partner is on his way up as well
.
” She said to Dominic
.“
Mrs. Moretti, where is your husband
?
” How the hell did she know I was married to him? It had only been a week. They were watching him closely; this sh
e’
d given me without knowing she had.

“
Oh you know how business is, it keeps my man busy
.
” I smiled and tilted my head.

Alessandra continued to stir in her seat
.“
Alessandra would you please bring us some drinks
?
” I winked at her. She offered a nervous smile before she stood and then walked quickly to the kitchen.

“
Yes, how is your father these days
?
” She shouldn't have led with that. I instantly wanted to go for the throat. Dominic stood behind the sofa shaking his head. How had he known what I'd been thinking? The doorbell rang and he hesitantly stepped away to answer it. 

He entered the room with a male Agent this time
.“
Mrs. Moretti
?
” He asked. The female Agent stood as well
.“
Mrs. Moretti we have a warrant for your arrest
.
”

I laughed. I was in shock
.“
For what
?
” I demanded.

“
Yo
u’
re wanted as a person of interest in an ongoing criminal investigation
.
”

“
Wait." I raised my hand. "Are you able to arrest me? Should
n’
t a warrant come from the local police
?
” I could be wrong.

“
We have three police officers outside of the apartment if yo
u’
d like to ask them
.
” He said sardonically.

My eyes weaved across the room to Dominic who remained silent. The male agent approached me and placed handcuffs tightly around my wrists.
I’
d been questioned before, but never arrested.

***

The Agents walked me to the lobby where everyone could see me being put inside of a police vehicle. I was mortified to say the least. Woman whispered while they held their lapdogs in a corner near the attendan
t’
s desk. Great! I did
n’
t want this to be how I met my neighbors.

The passerb
y’
s on the street formed a circle while cameras flashed and news reporters filmed. Was I really important enough that the news crews were lined around the building? Dominic quickly pulled around to the front of the building honking at the reporters to move. I could see him behind the police car driving the black Cadillac SUV h
e’
d been given to drive me around in.

The cuffs were pinching my skin but I knew better than to ask for someone to loosen them. The
y’
d only give me a hard time. I decided on keeping my mouth closed.

The police officer spoke into the radio about the vehicle behind us and I rolled my eyes. Did they really have to cause such a scene?

I did
n’
t know how long the drive had been to the police station, but it was
n’
t long enough. Honestly, did they plan on putting me into a cell? I would
n’
t do well in one of those.

The officers pulled the car into a garage and escorted me out of the car. I was grateful when we walked up the stairs into a heavily populated area. There was
n’
t a cell in sight. I breathed in a deep breath. The female police officer gripped my arm tightly as we walked through the crowded lobby.

We entered a room with windows all around, where everyone could see me. I felt like I was on display for everyone to see.

“
Mrs. Moretti. So glad you could join us today
.
” The stupid female agent laughed.

“
Why am I here
?
”

The detective approached me, stood me up and undid my cuffs. I was so relieved, but then he placed my hands in front and reattached the cuffs.

“
You're here because of your husband
.
”

“
And
?
” I glared at the Fed's.

“
We see that your engagement was very short. A quickie wedding. Tell us what that was about
.
”

“
I would like to speak with my attorney
.
”

“
Lawyering up huh
.
” She ticked her head back and forth
.“
I see where yo
u’
re coming from. You have something to hide. I suppose I might lawyer up too. What about you Brosco, would you lawyer up
?
”

Brosco laughed
.“
Yeah,
I’
d lawyer up if I had something to hide. Sure
.
” He laughed.

“
Tell us what your husband does for a living Mrs. Moretti
.
” I had no freaking idea what Jax did. I knew he ran the Chicago outfit, but w
e’
d literally not been in the same room in five days. How was I supposed to know anything? He kept me in the dark at every turn.

“
A little of this and a little of that.
I’
m not going to tell you again, bitch, get my
fucking
attorney
.
”

Both Agents looked out the window to my husband Jax Moretti. The real reason I was here. He watched me with anger pouring from his expression. I wondered who he was mad at, the Feds or me.

Our eyes locked and I instantly saw sorrow in his eyes. He was sorry this was happening to me. I felt relieved that he cared. Maybe he did
n’
t care, but for that few moment our eyes locked he did in my heart and tha
t’
s all that mattered and I had no idea why.