head enough to level my eyes with hers, I’m dead ass serious when I say, “You know I’ll do anything for you. This,” I tip my head to the closed door, “is just the beginning.”
She says nothing, but if the grip on my hand means anything, I know she gets me.
“And sweetness?”
Her eyes fall and she pulls in a breath. “What, Cole?”
“I love you, baby.”
I turn the knob and push the door open.
“Love?”
The color drains from Bella’s face and I hear a gasp.
Bella
Cole’s arm wraps around my waist and his lips hit my ear. “Go hug your family.”
Mum’s hand flies to her mouth and her eyes—the same ones she gave me—pool with unshed tears. Dad is standing next to her, Archer and Devon next to him.
It’s been too long. I’ve only dared contact them once and Dad told me never again, how they were being watched because of me. But he followed by telling me they loved me, believed I was innocent, and knew I would never do what I was accused of.
Cole gives me a push and it’s all I need. One moment, I’m exhausted from life, and the next, Cole gives me this.
My mum’s arms wrap around me first, followed by Dad’s, holding us both.
And my empty, broken heart beats with new life.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Mum cries. “It’s been too long, love. No one should be kept from their child.”
My dad’s lips hit the top of my head. “Bloody hell. Missed you, darling. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
I grip them tight, never wanting to let go as what little makeup I put on is surely streaking my face.
“Let me look at you.” Mum pushes me back and a big smile shines through her own tears. “You’re so beautiful you hurt my eyes.”
“You’re all bones, sis.” A hand grasps my bicep and my oldest brother, Archer, pulls me into his arms. “You always were but you could really use a sticky toffee pudding right now.”
I wipe my face and punch him in the arm. “Always an arse. Nothing has changed.”
His toothy grin feels like home.
Devon draws me in next. “Being on the run hasn’t been too hard on you, Bells. You still look like a pile of gold.”
“How?” I ask, reaching for my mum again, realizing how much it’s hurt not to see or talk to my family. “How did you get here?”
“Carson.” Dad motions to the man behind me. I look back and he’s standing like the god he’s proving to be with arms crossed, watching the Donnelly show play out in front of him. “He’s been in touch with Archer for over a week. We’ve been trying to plan a meet. We got a call the day before yesterday about your trip here and knew this would be the time. We’re officially on holiday. We knew it would be too hard for us to go to the States without raising a shit ton of red flags.”
Cole lifts his chin.
I sniff and don’t care if I’m wiping my nose on the back of my hand. I’m too damn happy. I look into the dark eyes I love, eyes I’ve missed, and eyes I’ve gotten pretty bloody used to seeing on a daily basis. And that sets my already frayed nerves on end. “It couldn’t have been easy. Nothing with my family ever is.”
“Your dad sprang for the boat. This is out of my budget but it gives you the privacy you need,” Cole adds and looks at his watch. “You’ve got three hours, sweetness. I wish you had a week, but no one here wants to risk exposing you.”
Mum squeezes me and I turn to her—my smile is genuine and straight from my heart. “I want to know everything I’ve missed.”
And I settle in to enjoy the sweetest gift I’ve ever received.
Chapter 21
The Bella Lottery
Cole
“We’re close. Bella has a lot of people at her back. I want her free to live her life as much as you do, Thorne.”
Bella’s father made such a name for himself with British Intelligence during the course of his career, he’s known worldwide among people like me. He retired sooner than needed but he had book deals and took advantage of the opportunities he created from busting his balls. I don’t blame him. He was at a point where he didn’t want to sit in management for years, instead choosing to spend the time with his wife.
Thorne Donnelly pulled her brothers and me aside for a brief as Bella sits