Bella #1 (Sagatori Family Saga #1) (4 page)

I bowed my head and followed to the door
.“
Thank you
.
” My eyes met his again. My body slid in between his towering body and the door frame. When my feet were safely planted on the hard wood floor his hand reached out to mine entangling our fingers together. My eyes shifted to our hands

His eyes lowered to mine
.“
Let me in
.
” His voice was firm and in control. I did
n’
t know him, he was a stranger and welcoming him into the house could be a bad idea, especially if Papa didn't arrive.
 “
To make sure yo
u’
re okay, of course
.
” His head tilted and his eyes shifted to my hand with furrowed brows
.“
Yo
u’
re so cold
.
”

I was freezing and then I realized it was cold inside. Papa woul
d’
ve turned on the heat or started a fire. I
t’
s completely dark and empty though.

“
What is it
?
” Jax asked. With his tall frame moving inside the house he pushed my body backwards. I noticed a man standing just outside the door watching with his head slowly taking in the house. He must be the driver
.“
Is there anyone here
?
” His chin lifted. H
e’
s really tall. H
e’
d actually towered over me by more than a foot, at least.

“
I do
n’
t know. My father was supposed to be here, bu
t
…”

He was still holding my hand and I could
n’
t help the feeling I had when my eyes noticed what his hand looked like as it held mine. He was strong with soft hands, manicured probably. With that car and the suite that I knew had to be hand stitched like Papa's I was certain he took great care of himself and made great money to do so. Metro sexual for sure. Expensive suit, shiny perfect shoes, cufflinks with encrusted black diamonds.
I’
d say the guy was very well off.             

“
But what
?
” he peered into my eyes, questioning me intently as he waited for my response.

“
But I do
n’
t think anyone has been here
.
”

His hand released his hold on mine and moved around me going deeper in to the foyer. A light brightened the large room in front of us
.“
Is this where you live
?
”

“
Uh huh
.
” I lie.

“
And your family lives here as well
?
” He continued walking through the now lit area.

“
Yes
,
” I slowly followed him.

“
This house feels like no on
e’
s been here for a long time
.
” His eyes searched through the large space. I did
n’
t answer. When he turned his head to question me with his eyes I knew that he saw the truth. I shrugged. I was a really bad liar.

“
Wher
e’
s your room
?
” his hand swept over a few pictures of my family that hung on the wall.

I pointed into the direction of the stairs.

“I’
ll go with you
.
” His arm fells as he beganto approach me
.“
To get dressed
.
” His voice was stern and demanding.

I was shivering, it wasso cold and my feet are completely numb. I ca
n’
t even feel my toes and when I see his breath I realize my father has definitely not been here. H
e’
s right; no on
e’
s been here for a very long time.

I pulled the jacket tight around my chest and padded my numb feet towards the stairs. His hand landed on my shoulder as we both ascend the stairs. Iwas so worried but I couldn't tell him. I could
n’
t bring him into this.
I’
d get dressed and take the car from the garage and find Papa. H
e’
d have to be okay.

My hands held the railing for support. When we reached the top of the stairs the light brightened the way. H
e’
d turned it on as we reached the landing. I continued walking through the hallway, finding my room at the end of the hall. This house was
n’
t your typical safe house, but Papa always did his absolute best to keep my life as normal as possible. Momma insisted on it and he always did his best to make sure she was happy.

My door was closed and when I open it Jax reached around me turning on the light once again
.“
Get dressed and pack a bag
.
”

I turned my head glaring at him
.“
Why
?
”

“
Because yo
u’
re practically naked
.
” He blew out an annoyed breath.

“
No, I mean why pack a bag
?
” I opened the closet door, knowing I already had a bag packed inside on the floor. I unhooked a few hangers that held jeans and a sweatshirt on them.

“
After what you've been through I do
n’
t think you should be here alone, Bella
.
”

My only concern was where Papa was. I could
n’
t care less wha
t’
d happened to me
.“
Do you mind
?
” I asked. He did
n’
t hesitate turning away so that I could remove the crappy torn top I was wearing. I pulled the sweatshirt over my head, swiped a clean pair of black lace panties from my drawer, and stepped inside of my jeans.

All of this stuff had been kept up for the most part. Someone cleaned the house a few times a month just to keep up with appearances and I always had clothes here. If we ever needed to hang out for a long period of time that most likely meant we did
n’
t have time to pack a bag and would
n’
t be able to go shopping for new things.

Once my clothes were on, I began to get the feeling back into my body. Once my socks were on, I tucked my feet into a pair of brown leather boots and swiped the hair brush through my long dark hair. I almost felt human again.

“
Do you have a bag? Something to put a change of clothing in
?
”

“
Thank you so much Jax, but
I’
ve got it from here
.
” I offered a thankful smile. I did
n’
t know what I woul
d’
ve done if he had
n’
t stopped to help me.

“
I would
n’
t feel right about leaving you here by yourself. Something does
n’
t feel right
.
” His body stiffened and his arms reached out for me.

“
What
?
” I also stiffened.

“
Someon
e’
s here
.
” He whispered into my hair.

“
Papa
.
” I leaped forward towards the door, pushing away from Jax. His arm gripped my right elbow as I began to pad my booted feet out of the room.

“
Are you sure
?
”

“
Who else could it be
?
” No one knew where this house was.

His dark eyes held question and apprehension. He nodded but did
n’
t release my arm
.“I’
ll go first
.
” He whispered as he moved past my body using himself to shield me.

“
Not the best idea, Jax. You should stay here and
I’
ll go. My father is
n’
t up for strange men surprising him
.
” This poor guy did
n’
t know the half of what the men that surround me every day were capable of and I did
n’
t want him finding out.

His head nodded as he stepped back
.“
If yo
u’
re sure
.
” He reached for his ringing phone.

“
I am
.
” I bowed as I continued toward the hallway. My boots sunk into the cream carpet with each step. When I reached the landing I heard Papa's voice. My heart flutters. H
e’
s okay. I reach for the gold crucifix on my neck thanking God.

“
Papa
!
” I yelled as I descended the long stair case.

“
Isabella
!
” He hissed back.

I jumped from the last three steps and ran to him. Our arms took each other in for a gripping hug.

“
Are you hurt
?
” He leaned back evaluating me with his eyes.

I shook my head
.“I’
m okay
.
” My head immediately followed to the stairs remembering Jax was up there. H
e’
d already descended half way down meeting my gaze
.“
Jax
.
” I said mostly to myself.

“
Papa, Jax
.
” I gesturedbetween the two
.“
H
e’
s the man that brought me here
.
”

Jax began his approach with each step coming closer as Papa and Tony watched with unknown intentions. When Jax reached the bottom step he extended his hand towards Papa
.“
Mr. Sagatori
.
”

“
Jax Moretti
.
” My father returned the gesture and shook Ja
x’
s hand.

“
Papa? You know him
?
” I questioned with raised brows.

“
I do
.
” He knows him
?“
How is your father
?
” Papa asked respectively.

“
H
e’
s well
.
” He answered with assurance.

All of the men in the room stood tall, marking their territory of sorts. Papa seemed uneased by Ja
x’
s presence and Papa is never, not at ease. H
e’
s a very confident man.

Was Ja
x’
s family in the same life as my family? I did
n’
t see that one coming. He seemed different than the boys
I’
d grown up with, but if our fathers were friends then maybe.

“
Did you know who I was
?
” I straightened my posture, feeling deceived, my arms tucked tightly into my chest.

His head tilted, gaging my reaction
.“
Not until we arrived. When I saw your fathe
r’
s picture, I realized you were Isabella. Anthony Sagator
i’
s princess
.
”

“
Oh
,
” He did look at the pictures when we arrived
.“
Okay
,
”
I’
ll let it go for now, but only because I needed to speak with Papa. I relaxed from the attack position
I’
d been holding.

“
Come, le
t’
s sit and you can tell me wha
t’
s happened and where yo
u’
ve been
.
” Papa nodded to Tony in one of his secret discussions only one of his men understood.

“
Bella, I see that yo
u’
re in capable hands, so
I’
m going to go
.
” He approached while looking at Papa.