Chapter 6 - Blood and Truths
The estate’s underground medical wing smelled of antiseptic and iron. Belle lay on a crisp white bed, her shoulder bandaged tightly. It was only a deep graze from a piece of flying shrapnel, but it hurt like hell. Renick paced the small room like a caged tiger. His tuxedo shirt was ruined, stained with his blood and hers. He refused to let the doctor stitch his arm until he knew Belle was safe.
“I told you to stay in the safe room,” he growled, running a hand through his messy hair. “If you had been killed, Belle... If you had...” He couldn't even finish the sentence. Belle pushed herself up slightly, wincing. “If I had stayed in that room, you would be dead right now, Renick.” He stopped pacing and looked at her. The absolute terror in his eyes finally broke his hardened exterior. He sat on the edge of her bed, carefully taking her uninjured hand.
“Why did you do it?” he asked, echoing the exact question she had asked Micah weeks ago. “Why risk your life for a monster?” “Because you’re not a monster to me,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “You’re the man who protects my son. And... you’re the man I care about.” Renick closed his eyes, pressing her hand to his lips. A shudder ran through his broad shoulders.
“It was Sully,” Belle said quietly, bringing him back to reality. Renick’s head snapped up. “What?” “I saw him before the shooting started. He let the fake caterers in. He nodded to them. And when the shooting stopped, I saw him sneaking out.” Renick’s expression went completely blank. It was a terrifying look. All the warmth and vulnerability vanished, replaced by an absolute, freezing calm. It was the face of the Boston Syndicate’s most feared executioner.
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“Sully has been with my family for twenty years,” Renick said, his voice dangerously soft. “He thinks you’ve gone soft,” Belle explained. “He told me I didn't belong here. He thinks caring about me and Micah is going to get you killed.” Renick stood up slowly. “He was wrong about one thing,” Renick said, pulling a fresh magazine from his pocket and sliding it into his sidearm. “Caring about you isn't going to get me killed. It’s going to get him killed.”
Renick walked to the door, stopping only for a moment to look back at her. “I am going to secure this house. I am going to end this war tonight. Keep the door locked until I return.” Belle watched him leave, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and profound love. She realized then that there was no going back. She wasn't just the maid anymore. She was the heart of the Kavanaugh empire, and the king was going to war to protect her.
