Beautiful: A dark and sweet, modern Beauty and the Beast retelling by Leigh Hatchmann & A.K. Leigh

Author:Leigh Hatchmann & A.K. Leigh [Hatchmann, Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

Kit

“Sorry, Bella. I didn’t mean to frighten you. It makes me mad when I think about what he did to you, that’s all.”

I wanted to punch myself for being so careless in my reaction just now. But the knowledge of the life that man, her own father, had made Bella endure burned in my chest. It had almost come out in a roar when I’d said she wasn’t going back. I was grateful I’d been able to control it. The sound would have confused and scared Bella.

She had experienced enough fear in her life. I would not add to it if I could help it. One other thing I knew for sure was that she was not going back to that man or his house if she didn’t want to.

“It’s okay. The more I think about it, the madder I get, too.”

I looked down at her and said in a much calmer tone, “Then, it’s settled. If you don’t want to go back, you don’t have to.”

She didn’t reply. Had she heard me?

“Do you hear me, Bella? You’re not going back there.”

Her back shook. She was crying. I reached for her and tugged her against my chest. I brought a hand to her hair. Her arms came around my waist. Having her in my arms like that sent a jolt of warmth straight to my heart.

I wanted her to stay like that. My mind tried to warn me not to enjoy it too much, but it was too late. My arms kept her close. She didn’t pull away. In fact, I could have sworn she snuggled closer to me.

Just when I thought I might get lost in her touch, her former words came to me. Gil came forward. She’d seemed interested in that piece of news. Happy. Unexpected jealousy had shot to the middle of my heart.

This Gil was human. That simple fact meant he had a better chance at being with her than I did. I loosened my grip on Bella and reminded myself not to get too attached.

She sniffled and pulled back to look up at me, even though her eyes were covered. “I need to figure out where I can go when I leave here. Maybe there’s a victims of violence hostel or something? I also need a way to earn money and––”

“But your file said . . .” I trailed off when I realized how intrusive my next words were about to sound.

She clearly picked up what I hadn’t said because she shook her head. “All of my money is tied up into a trust fund, which my father controls. I won’t be able to access it until I turn twenty-three and that’s eighteen months away.”

It was my turn to pick up what she hadn’t said. “You don’t think he’ll give you access?”

“I have no idea, especially now he’s getting arrested. He’s too selfish to care what happens to me. Besides, I don’t want to base my future on his whims anymore. I want to take control.

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