Under Pressure [IAD Agency] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 5

  Bella had woken up in the hospital surrounded by her family, alive but barely feeling it. The anguish on their faces was burned in her memory as they discovered what had happened. Victor had been stalking her for months. The police had discovered that his apartment had been filled with pictures of her everywhere, walking on the street, with her friends, and he had even stolen pieces of clothing from her suite in the hotel. She gave her statement to the police, reports were filled out, but it was no use.

  Victor Dane had disappeared.

  She had recovered in the hospital, a rehab facility, and then was moved into a house her family had rented, where she had been put on lockdown as they hoped for a sign of Victor. Her family’s unwavering support brought tears to her eyes, knowing that she should have been able to tell them everything, anything, and it was her fault that she had left them in the dark over the weird fans she had accumulated over the years. She had never mentioned a thing.

  Bella’s family and friends had taken turns staying with her, never leaving her alone during those months of recovery. Liz had come to live with and take care of her, quitting her job when they had refused to give her the time off. She didn’t need it anyways since her parents had died years ago, leaving her their fortune.

  Bella’s brother Tony, who was a computer genius, had relocated to be with her since he could write his software programs anywhere. He never left her alone as if afraid something would happen to her again if he so much as blinked.

  Bella had told Danny to go back home since he had the bar to take care of, but Mama and Papa said they would alternate with him so someone could stay at Moretti’s and the others could come be with her as often as they could. Her family had stayed with her in that house while she recovered, until she was strong enough to move back to Chicago. The only family member not around was Salvatore, her oldest brother. He had joined the Army Rangers years ago, and it had been almost two years since any of them had spoken to him. All they had been told was that he was “on assignment,” and they received the occasional letter from him, with no return address.

  Bella made the rest of her family swear that they would allow her to tell him once he was home and stopped them from trying to find him. Bella dreaded telling him since Sal had the worst temper out of the three brothers. All of her brothers were big, frightening men, but not to her. Their massive frames gave her comfort and made her feel protected like she needed, surrounding her with love and security.

  Silent tears streaked down her face as the memories assailed her.

  “I’m okay…I’m okay…” she whispered over and over again, repeating the words like a mantra, trying to calm herself.

  A furious pounding on her door broke her out of her frightened daze, forcing her back to reality.

  “Bella, open up,” Tony’s deep harsh voice demanded. “Bells, sweetheart, you know the rule, right, hon? If you don’t answer me, I am going to come in, in ten seconds. One, two, three—”

  “I’m coming!”

  Bella scurried off the bed, struggling on pants and an oversized sweatshirt as she flew to the door. She undid the locks and the alarm and wrenched open the door as Tony’s imposing form bounded into the room. Bella threw herself into his waiting arms as he picked her up. Cradling her in his arms, he moved silently to the couch in her living room.

  Gently, he stroked her hair and crooned soft words to her as he held her shaking body close to him. Although Bella was close to all her brothers, she and Tony had always had a special bond. Being the youngest of the brothers, Tony was closest to her in age, only being three years older than her, but that was not what had made them close.

  Over the years people had jokingly said that they were like twins, knowing more about each other than anyone could understand. He was her best friend. They could read each other’s face as well as their own, feel the depths of each other’s emotions, and Bella knew that her terror and pain had cut him to the bone. Growing up, they had always known if something was wrong with one another, even at a distance.

  When she had moved to France for school and then to New York to live, she had hurt Tony by leaving even though he understood. When she had opened her eyes in the hospital, Bella had met Tony’s pain-filled eyes and knew that he hurt for her as deeply as anyone possibly could. It was all there in his face. He thought he had failed her, was terrified that he almost lost her. Tony had been in California for work when Victor had attacked her. Unexplainably, before any of his family had been able to reach him, he was already on a plane heading to New York, praying that he wasn’t too late.

  As Bella lay in the hospital, Tony had quietly purchased the three-story brick condo building in Chicago’s Gold Coast area where they now lived. He had the condo on the third floor furnished for her, moving his stuff into the unit on the second floor, reconstructing the first floor as a common area for both of their use. He had gotten an old friend of his to install the best security system money could buy, along with a few bits and pieces that were not available to the public, some of which he himself had created.

  When Bella said she had wanted to move home to Chicago, her parents had insisted she move home, but Bella made a stand and said she needed to find her own place. Tony had told her it was taken care of and immediately moved her into her new apartment as soon as they arrived.

  Bella rested her head on Tony’s broad shoulder, burrowing her face close against his neck, seeking comfort, letting his warmth chase away the cold that always seized her body after her nightmares.

  Tony was the only man who could calm Bella after the storm, much to the upset of both her papa and Danny. During her recovery, if one of them had tried to touch her, she would claw and fight them until her terror had released her. With Tony she was calmed almost immediately, turning her head into his neck, and wept silent tears.

  Tony had moved into the building with her because he needed to make sure she was safe, needed to be able to get to her when the nightmares clawed their way to the surface and tried to drag her under. She knew he felt as though he had failed her, but the truth was that it was her own ignorance that had left her open to predators like Victor Dane.

  She had tried to stop Tony from rushing to her rescue every time she had a nightmare, but he knew whether she told him or not. He would race up to her apartment, needing to make sure she was safe and alive for himself. They had set the ten-second rule for the sake of her privacy, allowing her ten seconds to answer him before he would use his own keys on her door and deactivate her alarm.

  “I can’t keep doing this to you, you know.” Bella sighed.

  “What, Bells?”

  Tony continued to stroke her hair, his hand hesitating only after she said, “Interrupting your life. You can’t keep babysitting me. I know you being here taking care of me like this is destroying your life, your freedom. You should move into a place where you don’t have to deal with me all the time, or I should move out.”

  He pulled back slightly, looking at her face, his chocolate eyes darkened with anger, mouth drawn in a tight line.

  “You are not destroying anything! And hell no, you’re not moving! My life? Hon, I don’t even want to think of what my life would become if something should happen to you. That fucker is still out there somewhere. It would destroy me if something were to happen to you again. Not be here? There is nowhere I would rather be, okay?” His lips tweaked up in a sly smile. “Besides, I still do well with the ladies, so there is no need to worry yourself.”

  Bella choked back a laugh, “Quit bragging, slut.”

  She moved to sit next to him, holding his hand between hers, still needing the connection. He brought his other hand to hers, moving his fingertips over the scar on her right hand as if trying to erase it by sheer force of will.

  “How ’bout I make us some breakfast?” Bella offered, knowing that she had hurt him with her talking about moving. She watched the frown turn to a grin instantly, his face lit up at the thought of her feeding him.

  Laughing, Bella go
t up. Moving toward the kitchen, she called out, “Chef’s choice?” and laughed at the sheer joy on his face as he agreed.

  She loved cooking for her family. It was the only time she cooked anymore, afraid to try her chances at being a chef again since her dexterity was still compromised in her right hand. That was going to change though.

  Starting next week, Bella had agreed to a part-time guest teaching position at the city’s elite Chicago Culinary Institute. Her one class that she was teaching had filled up immediately and they had begged her to take on more classes, but she thought one class that met two times a week was enough. She had forced herself to accept the position to reclaim her life.

  As Bella began her preparations, Tony settled in his favored seat on the barstool where he could watch her cook.

  No, he thought as his eyes followed her easy movement around the kitchen. There was no way in hell that he was moving away from her before that psycho asshole was caught, castrated, and fucking beheaded.

  “So, why didn’t you wait for me last night? Liz told me you were catching up with a friend.” His head tilted slightly to the side in a gesture so much like her own.

  “Umm, yeah. I was…We just hung out. Sorry.” Bella turned toward the stove to start the omelets she was making to cover the blush that stole across her cheeks.

  “It’s good that you are reconnecting with friends, Bells.”

  Eyes closing in distress, Bella realized she had no way of getting a hold of Jason without asking Tony. And that was definitely not happening. She had not given him her number nor had she gotten his.

  The phone rang, startling her. Tony reached over and picked the phone up, smiling as he heard Danny’s voice. “Hey, bro, yeah, she’s here. Can’t talk right now. She’s making me breakfast.”

  Tony burst out laughing as he placed the phone back down on the counter. Turning in question, Bella smiled at Tony when he said, “He’s coming over. Said he would be here in ten minutes before he hung up on me.”

  Pushing all thoughts of last night out of her head, she went to work making breakfast for two of her favorite men.

  Chapter Six

  Moretti’s was packed.

  The bar Bella’s brother owned was a city hotspot. Moretti’s was a tribute to their Italian heritage, focusing on setting the stage with excellent drinks, a small selection of food, and good music.

  Sinatra crooned over the speakers as Bella and Liz pushed their way up to the rectangular bar in the center of the large, low-lit room, waving as the staff greeted them warmly. They watched Danny work behind the bar with ease, oozing charm to the customers he served. Glancing over, he did a double take at seeing them and let out an excited yell.

  “Bells! Sweetheart, you’re here! Hey there, Lizzy doll!” He went to the end of the bar where they were standing, shooing away two of his regulars to make room for them to sit as he barked at them.

  “Get the hell up and make room for my sisters.”

  He turned to Bella and Liz with a wink.

  Bella leaned over the bar top to press a kiss to Danny’s cheek, and he kissed her back, raising a hand to stroke her cheek. Bella rarely came to the bar without extreme coaxing on his part, and he was hopeful that this was a sign that she was finally healing. In turn he kissed Liz’s cheek in greeting and then reached under the bar to the refrigerator to get a bottle of their favorite white wine he kept on hand just for them, pouring them each a glass.

  It was the first time out and about on the town for Bella and Liz since the night of the benefit. They gave their jackets to Tony to keep behind the bar, and Bella took a sip of the pale, golden liquid and hummed with pleasure as the crisp taste hit her tongue.

  Liz had tried to talk her into going out during the week, even though she rarely did herself. Bella had told her what had happened, and Liz was both worried and excited for Bella. Liz hated seeing Bella pine away for Jason MacBain and didn’t want this one episode to set her back. She had encouraged Bella to reach out and contact him, but Bella said no. Liz knew better and had tried telling Bella that Jason hadn’t been watching over her for her brothers, but Bella didn’t believe her.

  Dreams of him had been haunting her, taking the place of her regular nightmares. Liz offered to track down his phone number if she wanted, but Bella had declined, saying it would be too awkward after the way she had left.

  Danny leaned a muscular arm on the bar, leaning in to talk to them. “Hey, why didn’t you drag Tony in with you tonight?”

  “He’s coming by in a bit. Had some stuff to take care of before he came out.” Bella glanced around at all the people in the room. Friday nights always had them packing in. Months before a crowd like this sent her into a panic, but now she only had a feeling of pride for her brother that the bar was doing so well. Turning back to him, Bella raised an eyebrow.

  “Why do I suspect that was your way for scolding me for coming out without my bodyguard?”

  Danny held up his hands in mock surrender, hurrying away to take a drink order from someone down at the other end of the bar. Liz and Bella looked at each other, laughing together, knowing that he had been caught.

  “The gallery has been packed all week. That article in the Trib with our picture seems to have people coming out in droves with a newfound appreciation of art,” Liz joked. “I don’t know how many men have come in asking if you were going to be around, if you worked there, too. Even old Mr. Wetherby had to crack a smile over the business we’ve been doing.”

  Liz’s boss was like a hundred years old, cantankerous, short–tempered, and was going to outlive them all. He had hired Liz immediately when she had come back from New York with Bella. He liked to complain about everything, but Bella knew that under his gruff exterior he would do anything for Liz.

  “Ha, you mean that stupid picture where you looked like a princess and I looked like your short sidekick? What did the caption say…‘Ms. Elizabeth Trenton, cochair of the Children’s Foundation and art dealer at Heritage Art Gallery and friend.’ That’s like being designated a plus one instead of an actual name. Not that I mind though, I will leave the publicity all to you. I’ve had enough of that crap.” Bella laughed off Liz’s look of concern.

  “Are you ready for next week?” Liz asked, switching subjects quickly.

  “Yeah, I am. I just…I’m nervous. I mean, I’ve never taught a class, you know? It’s different when I’m cooking, creating, doing my thing, and since everything that has happened…Well, I don’t know. I hope it all goes well.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do wonderful. Considering how everyone was at each other’s throats to get a space in your class…you’ll do great.”

  “I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself. It’s just nerves. Plus, how many teachers actually get a sous chef to work with them? It should be okay. It’s a short course anyway. I’m meeting with Jenna on Monday to go over everything before class starts on Tuesday. She’s a brilliant pastry chef, and I’m sure she’ll be easy to work with.”

  Jenna Markham was a recent graduate of the school and had jumped at the chance to work with Bella. When they had met, they had immediately formed an easy friendship. Jenna was absolutely thrilled to be working with Bella and would be able to do anything that Bella’s injury did not allow, but Bella secretly hoped that she would not need her for much more than a comrade in the kitchen. She picked up her wine. Wanting to change the subject, she said, “So, Tara’s birthday is just around the corner. What did you get her? Are we still going to plan a party for her? Have you seen her yet?”

  Liz laughed. “As if we could plan anything for that girl. She’s the hardest person to buy a present for because she always buys what she wants. No, I haven’t seen her…I think she just got back today. But I spoke to her briefly. I had to tell her she couldn’t go shopping this month.”

  “Ha, says the person with a shopping fetish.”

  “Tara is definitely worse than me. She has stuff in her closet that still has tags on it. She just forgets. Although most of her stu
ff is black. Anyway, we’ll ask her what she wants to do and plan from there. No matter what it is you’re going since we haven’t seen her in forever. I’m glad she’s moving back and working for Mac Securities.” Liz winced slightly as Bella jolted at the name of Jason’s company.

  “Sorry,” Liz murmured.

  “Forget it. We’ll plan something,” Bella agreed.

  Liz took a sip of her wine, almost spitting it out as she choked in surprise. Concerned, Bella leaned over to her when Liz whispered, “Speaking of…Oh crap, hon, prepare yourself.”

  Chapter Seven

  It had been the week from hell.

  Jason couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t forget about Bella. He thought about her day and night, but he had been too busy to do anything about it. Unused to the emotions he’d been bombarded with all week had set him on the warpath.

  She had run from him.

  His first reaction had been leave it as it was, that he didn’t need the trouble.

  Bloody hell, that was a lie.

  He had been kidding himself all week, just putting off the inevitable. He wanted her with a passion that rivaled the heat of the sun.

  It had taken all week, but he finally admitted that he wanted to find her. He needed to find her.

  Never had a woman intrigued him so and in such a short time. He was never one to have to pursue a woman, but he would this one. Now that he had made up his mind, she was his now. She just didn’t know it yet. All week Jason had been ready to rip someone’s head off, so on edge with his need for Bella that he could barely be civil for two minutes straight.

  Now he just had to take care of some business tonight, and tomorrow he would start hunting.

  Finn had tagged along with Jason tonight to meet with a transferring operative of IAD that was back from an extended assignment. They had picked a local bar, wanting a causal atmosphere. Usually this would be his partner Brett’s job, but since he was out on an assignment, Jason was forced to deal with it.