There was no going back for us.

  He left, and I didn’t see him again for twenty years.

  —Tristian—

  It was such an unfamiliar emotion for me. To feel so out of control. The truth was staring her in the face. I never meant to hurt her. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I knew she’d be mad at me, but I didn’t think she’d be this pissed. With the way she looked at me… Love no longer illuminated her green gaze; instead, hatred burned bright.

  Just like that, an unsettling and disturbing feeling seeped into the core of my being. Before I knew what was happening, my body turned, moving on its own accord. I hauled ass toward her house, rushing down a long, narrow hallway, passing several other rooms. I noticed how far she’d truly gone to get away from me.

  All I could hear were the sounds of my footsteps echoing off the walls. My shoes pounded into the marble floor, one right after the other. I couldn’t get to the ball room fast enough. My heart beat out of my chest, the pulse in my neck profusely pounding against my skin while sweat pooled at my temples.

  My eyes shifted every which way when I entered the massive space, looking for Belle. I inspected every inch of the scene unfolding in front of me. It was like I wanted to ingrain this moment of panic into my memory.

  Words couldn’t describe what I felt. The sentiments that surged through my bloodstream. I forced myself to keep my shit together as I looked for her among the throngs of people.

  Every bone in my body was still.

  Every single part of me was unable to move.

  Taking one last look around the room, I called her, and it went straight to voicemail. I sprinted down another hallway, darting through the estate, needing to find her. I felt as though my life depended on it. Music blared loudly through the speakers as everyone mingled and carried on without a care in the world. My blood raged, blinded by craze and madness looking for her.

  Finally, I shouted, “Belle! Where are you?!”

  There was no controlling the inner turmoil or the wave of thoughts soaring through my mind and taking over every last inch of me. It was as if my conscience knew what would happen next.

  With each ragged, deep breath.

  With every blink of my panic-ridden eyes, I was still unable to find her.

  Not one logical thought was able to form in my head. I could only feel the anxiety flowing through every bone in my body. My patience was stretched thin, dangling by a thread.

  That thread fucking snapped, when all of a sudden, I heard an unfamiliar voice, exclaim, “Tristian.”

  I snapped around, coming face to face with the man I least expected. We locked eyes. He was standing at one end of the hallway while I was at the other. Neither one of us a said a word, not one fucking word until he questioned…

  “What are you doing with my granddaughter?”

  Chapter 27

  —Tristian—

  I followed him into an office which I assumed was Belle’s father’s. As soon as I stepped inside, I was completely blindsided by my grandfather’s presence.

  Closing the door, I looked back and forth between them before stating the obvious, “So, is this an ambush?”

  “What did you think was going to happen, Tristian?” Mr. Montgomery asked, sitting behind his desk while my grandfather stood beside him. “How long did you think you two could keep this up?”

  I didn’t know what to say. Silence was best.

  “Alright,” Grandfather chimed in. “I’ll start with this. You’re going home immediately to pack.”

  “Pack?” I breathed out, staring only at him.

  “Yes. You’re going to finish high school overseas.”

  I leaned against the door, folding my arms over my chest in defiance.

  My grandfather and I were always on good terms. This was the first time we were in a battle.

  “You can stand there all you want, Tristian, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be leaving on the redeye tonight.”

  I shook my head, finally speaking, “You can’t do this.”

  “On the contrary, it’s already been done. They’re expecting you.”

  I scoffed out, “I won’t go.”

  “You don’t have another choice. I’m your legal guardian, and what I say goes.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “For several reasons.”

  “Other than Belle?”

  “Belle is just the tip of the iceberg, grandson.”

  With a pointed stare, I watched him nod to the desk where there was a folder on top of it.

  “Which one would you like to begin with, Tristian? The one where you’re riding your father’s bikes or the one where you’re in charge of this town’s illegal street wars.”

  I tried to maintain my composure, but he’d just shocked the shit out of me. He opened the folder, showing me pictures of Belle on the back of my bike the night we outsped the cops.

  “Do you have any idea what would have happened if her parents found out what you two have been doing behind our backs?” He paused, letting his question sink in. “If you refuse to go, then you’ll leave us no choice but to tell her parents.”

  Mr. Montgomery informed, “They’ll send her away, Tristian. It’s either you or her.”

  I couldn’t hold back, needing to know. “Why can’t we just be together?”

  “You’re young,” Grandfather remarked. “You don’t fully understand the consequences of your rash decisions.”

  “What consequences?”

  “You’re lucky you’re a Hawkins. It’s the only reason the sheriff isn’t pressing charges for all the street races you’ve organized and been a part of. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in your careless decisions. Your parents would be too.”

  I bowed my head, I had to. “My father loved his street bikes.”

  “He wouldn’t love you riding them, Tristian. Do I need to remind you that they died on one?”

  I shook my head, still gazing at the ground. “No, sir.”

  “Do you have any idea how many colleges would refuse you if you had an arrest record? You need to appreciate the fact that I was able to make this go away for you, but don’t think for one second I won’t use it as ammunition if you don’t willingly leave tonight.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Why can’t Belle and I be together? Your rivalry has nothing to do with us.”

  “You’re young. You both have your whole lives ahead of you. You’re not meant to be together, Tristian. You never were.”

  Feeling defeated, I asked, “Where am I going?”

  “Switzerland. To an elite, all-male boarding school.”

  “For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, low enough to where they couldn’t hear me. “Couldn’t ship me off any further, Grandfather?”

  “You’ll have the best schooling money can buy.”

  “That’s what your good at. Throwing money at the problem.”

  “I’m not going to apologize for keeping the best interest for you and our family in mind, Tristian. The blatant disrespect you’ve shown to your family name speaks volumes.”

  “I’m more than just a last name.”

  “Your last name is everything, and don’t you ever forget that. This is the first and last time I will save your ass. Do you understand me?”

  I met his eyes. “And what about Belle?”

  “What about her?”

  “What happens to her if I go?”

  “Nothing,” Mr. Montgomery replied, bringing my attention to him. “She will continue with her normal life.”

  “Can I—”

  “Absolutely not. You will never see my granddaughter again.”

  “So just like that? I can’t even say goodbye to her?”

  “You don’t need to make things harder than they already are.”

  “Oh, this is hard for you, Grandfather?”

  “Of course. Do you think I find satisfaction in what I’ve learned about your life?”

  “How long have you known?”

  “It’s irrelevant.”

  “It isn’t to me.”

  “This is a very small town. You’re a Hawkins. You should have known better. We’re simply saving you both from ruining your lives.”

  “She’ll hate me if I just leave without saying goodbye to her. Please don’t take that away from me.”

  “You should have thought about that before you decided to pursue a Montgomery,” her grandfather asserted.

  “It’s not like that.” Hesitating for a moment, I added, “I love her.”

  Their stares shifted to one another before Mr. Montgomery spewed, “What could you possibly know about love?”

  I stepped forward and stood in front of his desk. “I know what it feels like to lose the two most important people in my life. Please don’t make me lose a third.”

  “The decision has already been made, Tristian. One day, you’ll understand why I had to do this.”

  “There’s no getting through to you, is there?”

  He shook his head.

  There was nothing else I could say that would make this right for me.

  Nothing else I could do to make this hurt less.

  Nothing.

  Not. One. Damn. Thing.

  Instead, I bargained, “If I agree to go, then you have to give me something, Mr. Montgomery.”

  He narrowed his stare at me.

  “You need to give Belle a chance at running your company.”

  He jerked back. “Belle?” He chuckled. “She has no interest in—”

  “How do you know? You ever talk to her about anything other than what’s expected of her? She obeys your rules, follows your every command. You have no idea who Belle is. She’s so much more than just your granddaughter. She’s smart, witty, and she loves with all her heart. Anything she puts her mind to, she’ll accomplish. I know that because I know her. I know her more than I know myself, Mr. Montgomery. With all due respect, you’d be a fool not to let her prove to you that she can excel in running your empire. I’ll leave if you agree to give her that chance.”

  He leaned back in his chair, taking me in for a second.

  The silence was deafening. The tension so thick that you could choke on it.

  “If you agree, I want it written on paper with your signature.”

  He cocked his head to the side, eyeing me up and down. “Quite the businessman you are. I don’t normally negotiate with anyone, but in this case, I’ll oblige.” With that, he wrote out our agreement and then signed it before handing it over to me. “I can assume you know your way to the front door?”

  I nodded, suddenly feeling sick to my fucking stomach. I needed to get the hell out of there. I could feel my temper taking over, and I knew I had to leave before it did.

  On my way out of the office, my grandfather expressed, “I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to save you.”

  Staring back at him, I uttered, “Belle already saved me from myself.” I turned and left.

  My feet moved on their own as I walked out of their home. For some reason, I peered up at her window, surprised to find her there.

  My heart dropped, shattering to the ground below me. My whole world seemed to come crashing down in a matter of seconds. Everything I thought I had under control, everything I wanted to believe, all of it…

  Gone.

  She was sitting on her bed with her arms wrapped around her knees, hiding her face. Her gown consumed her, reminding me of a beautiful portrait. It was a memory I’d take to my grave. What happened tonight would be my own personal hell. I would now close my eyes and forever see her falling apart in front of me.

  Because of me.

  I found it hard to breathe.

  Hard to move.

  My feet were cemented to the ground as she continued to cry. I accepted it all, and each tear that fell from her face became pieces of me. Coursing through my veins, it flowed endlessly.

  A river of her sadness and sorrow and all of my broken promises flooded the hole in my heart where she used to be.

  They say you have that one moment in your life that could change the course the direction you could have taken. That one moment that could forever alter your future and everything you wanted to believe in.

  I’d forever remember this moment for the rest of my life.

  I should have apologized.

  I should have begged for her forgiveness.

  I should have stayed.

  But I didn’t.

  I spun around and walked away from the love of my life.

  Fully aware, I just made her life better…

  By leaving her behind.

  Chapter 28

  —Belle—

  Now

  “Tristian…” I wept with tears falling down my face. “That’s why you left?”

  He nodded.

  “I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe our grandfathers. How could they do this to us?”

  “I imagine they think they’re making it up to us now.”

  “Oh wow… This makes so much sense now. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why the change of heart? After all these years, why would they want to join forces? I can’t believe they would do that to us. I hated you for so long. I never thought… I guess, I just… I needed time to cool off, and once I did, you weren’t at school anymore.

  “At first, I tried to pretend like it didn’t bother me, but then people started talking, saying you had left town. I couldn’t ask anyone about it. Where you were? If you were coming back? I spent years thinking you’d come back for me.”

  “I’m sorry, kitten. I just wanted you to make a life for yourself. A life that you wanted. I learned that you were working for your grandfather after you’d graduated college, I didn’t want to fuck up your future. I figured if I came back into your life, it would end your career. If they didn’t allow us to be together in the past, why would they allow it in the future? I couldn’t do that to you. Not when I know you worked so hard to get there.”

  “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have this career.”

  He swept the hair away from my face. “I’d do anything for you. I knew I broke your heart, and there was no coming back from that. If there was one promise I was going to keep it was that one. After I graduated from college, I stayed overseas managing our international companies. I didn’t want to come home. I didn’t have one anymore. You’ve always been my home.” He looked deep into my eyes. “I spent years trying to figure shit out. Who I was, what I wanted, where I was going to end up?”

  “When did you come back to Kentucky?”

  “I was in and out throughout the years, but I didn’t move back until a few years ago.”

  I took in everything he was saying, my heart breaking for him. He inhaled a deep breath, grabbing my face to kiss away my tears.

  “All I did was work. I was exhausted, mentally, physically, and emotionally. One day I woke up calling your name. I rolled over searching for you. It was the weirdest fucking thing that’s ever happened to me. I hadn’t been with you in years, and I woke up thinking you were there, beside me. I immediately sat up in bed disoriented, looking for you, and then I remembered you weren’t there. You hadn’t been there in a long time.”

  “If I would have known. I would have never let you leave, Tristian.”

  “It was either you or me. You had a whole life there. With two loving parents, your brothers, your family… I couldn’t take that away from you. I left because it was easier than taking you away from them. Can you forgive me?”

  “Of course, Tristian. All you did for me… How am I ever going to make it up to you?”

  “You already have.” He kissed me. “You said, ‘I do.’”

  His lips on mine were like coming home every single time.

  He possessed my thoughts.

  He owned my heart.

  He was my home.

  He’d always been my home.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he groaned, placing his hand over my heart which was beating rapidly against his fingers.

  “It’s yours.” I reached for the hem of my dress and lifted it over my head, and threw it on the floor beside us. “I’m yours. Always.”

  “Kitt—”

  “Don’t make me beg.”

  He growled, kissing me fervently. He lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bedroom. He laid me on the bed, never breaking our connection. He took off my bra, tossed it aside, and my panties quickly followed, leaving me completely naked for him.

  “I love you. I love you so fucking much.”

  “Prove it to me,” I panted, looking at his face. “Make love to me,” I pleaded in a raspy tone. “I belong to you. I’ve always belonged to you. Let’s make a baby.”

  He kissed me one last time before kissing his way down my body, softly licking every inch of my skin.

  “Tristian,” I murmured, my body shuddering as he pulled my body to the edge of the bed.

  Gently, he kissed my inner thighs, blowing against my exposed core the closer he got to where I wanted him the most. His rough hands gripped my thighs as he lightly pecked my clit. My hands raked through his hair as I spread my legs wider for him as he lightly kissed and licked all around my heat. He could already taste me on his tongue. My breathing escalated when he sucked my clit into his mouth, moving his head from side-to-side.

  He never took his eyes off me, watching as I grasped onto the sheets. My climax built higher and higher, and he slid his fingers inside. I was so wet.

  So ready.

  He could feel me getting closer, and my hips moved on their own against his fingers and tongue.

  “That’s it, kitten, fuck my face like you love to.”

  Not a minute later, he tasted my climax, long and steady. He didn’t stop until I was shuddering and begging him to stop, unable to take it any longer.

  He stood with hooded eyes as I watched him undress. It didn’t take long before he thrust inside of me.

  The feel of him.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19