Under Pressure(71)

Jason leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling back just enough to gaze lovingly down at her. “I do love you, lass.”

Bella cupped his cheek. “I know. I love you, too.”

“So, I think we should go out to dinner tonight. You know, to celebrate.”

Bella’s eyebrow raised. “Wow, you mean you would let me go out to eat somewhere? Without armed guards?”

Jason growled jokingly before smacking a kiss on her forehead. “You will be with me. But if you want the guards, I’m sure we can convince some of the guys to meet us at the restaurant.”

“No way! If we are celebrating, I want a romantic night out with you. Just you.”

“You got it,” Jason promised as he stroked a hand down over her hair. His voice softened. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to court you properly.”

Bella cocked her head, her expression questioning. “Jason, if you court me anymore, I think I might fall into a romance coma. Trust me, baby, you don’t have to take me out to show me that you love me. I know you do. So, where are we going? I’m starving!”



* * * *



Bella looked out the window of Jason’s SUV and took in the splendor of the Chicago skyline as they drove into the heart of the city. It was a beautiful city, full of life and excitement. Until Jason had suggested they go out for dinner, Bella hadn’t realized just how much she had missed going out. She looked down to their entwined hands with a small smile.

Courting her?

The man was crazy. Since Jason came into her life, he had done nothing but court her. He never hesitated to show her exactly how important she was to him and how much he loved her.

Jason looked over to see Bella smiling that special smile she had just for him, and he squeezed the hand he held gently.

“So, where are we going?”

“I told you, it’s a surprise.” Jason chuckled at her pout. Man, he was such a sucker. He opened his mouth to tell her where they were going but never got the chance. Jason had a split second to watch Bella’s mouth dropped open in a horrified expression before everything went black.





Chapter Twenty-Four




Bella opened her eyes, but they immediately snapped shut again in defense as the room spun at an alarming rate.

Her head felt like there were a thousand tiny tap dancers doing their best to break her skull open from the inside out. She took a few deep breaths to try and stave off the nausea that threatened to have everything in her stomach coming up for a second visit. Bella had shown no signs of the dreaded morning sickness that seemed to accompany pregnancy, until now. But no, that wasn’t right.

Something was wrong.

Bella tried raising her hand to her aching head only to realize that she couldn’t move. Panic slid the greasy slide to sheer terror as Bella forced her eyes open to see that she was lying on the floor of the building that would house her future restaurant with her hands and feet tied. She was in the kitchen area surrounded by piles of wood, brick, and other building materials that would be used in the renovation project.

Oh God, what happened? Where is Jason?

Memories came rushing back of a van crashing into them on their way to dinner. Bella hadn’t even had a chance to scream out a warning before the van rammed straight into Jason’s side of the vehicle. Bella’s head had hit the side window upon impact, and she remembered no more until waking up on the floor.

Dane. Victor Dane had found her.

Bella blinked rapidly to stave off the tears that threatened. Her chest hurt holding back the hysterical sobs that wanted to rip out of her throat, but she forced herself to remain silent as she scanned the room. In the center of the room she could see a drop cloth had been laid out, surrounded by tea light candles that cast an eerie glow around the room. Back here no one could see her. No one would be able to help.

But she was alone, for now. Bella quietly turned her head to survey the room. She had to close her eyes at the movement that once again caused her stomach to roll. Slowly Bella scooted her body around, reaching with her hands, desperately hoping that she would find something to help her cut through the ropes that bound her hands behind her back. Her fingers touched pieces of wood, but she kept searching for something else that would help her gain freedom. She had to fight to hold in a sob of relief as she found a small handsaw left by one of the workers.

Bella gripped the saw awkwardly with one hand as she tried to slice through the thick rope. She winced as the saw cut through the delicate skin of her wrists, but she continued the sawing motions, praying that she would be able to free herself. Her grip slipped as blood from her cuts dripped down to her hands. Sweat broke over her skin as she continued to work. Bella bit her lip to keep from sobbing out in relief as she felt the snap of the bindings pull free.