BellaI didn't care at that moment who spoke. I was glad it wasn't Hardin. I had three men after me and I had favourites. It was all fun and games as I simply watched, until..."Two hund—" Bruce began but was rudely interrupted by Xander's growl."Stop it, Bruce," he charged in Bruce's direction, ready to strike. He did have some kind of anger issues that only popped up when it had to do with me. He became a hungry tiger."No, you—""No! All of you, just stop!" I shouted with my eyes closed. "I am not some property to be bought and taken home. I am not your slut! I have had enough of your rants." I said on a final note, walking out.They could have killed themselves in there and I couldn't have that. I had gotten their acts up to here and I was done. Xander didn't want me anymore but he wouldn't let Bruce either. Hardin would never stop and I let reality hit.At that point, I did what seemed right and best. I left. After calling Bernice's phone a million times over and receiving the a

XanderI glanced at my cracked phone on the floor like it was the cause of my misfortune. I proceeded to break it off completely as I stomped on it with the hard sole of my shoes, grunting in frustration with every step.My father sure knew how to get to me and I was never going to play right into his stupid trap! I paced around my office again, running my fingers through my hair.It had been hours and nobody could tell me where Bella was, every lead was a dead, empty end. The news came on again— a young lady was abducted right in front of the Cuisine restaurant.Everyone had heard the story and watching it made me even angrier. I had made sure the restaurant was closed down until she was found!I ripped the television off the wall and flung it aside. I grabbed my keys from the table and stormed out of the office, making my way to the underground parking lot. "Get me a new phone," I instructed one of my men.I drove to the 'den'. It was a bar but not the kind that was visited by the

Xander"I see you've brought company. How thoughtful," my father said with a dark smirk on his face. "Oh, Hardin. You too? Tell me, what does she have that you all want?" He caressed Bella's thighs and she squealed uncomfortably.I wanted so badly to stop him but I knew if I moved an inch, I'll be looking at pieces of my body scattered all around the floor in the freezing room."Let her go, Mr. Rivera," Bruce spoke first. "Your reign of terror ends now."My father laughed to his heart's content. It was cold and scornful as he motioned one of his men to hand him a tiny remote."If it isn't my 'son'," he said, making air quotes with his fingers. "How are you, Bruce? You see, I wish it was that simple but it's not. This is as much about teaching you all a lesson as it is about my money.""Dad, if you do anything to her, you'll pay for it," Hardin answered, moving his leg a little."Why do all my sons choose to go against me? Xander's shared you some of his guts, right?""What do you wan

Xander "You're going home with me," I told her, opening the door to the driver's side of the car and getting in. "But I—" she opened her mouth to refuse. "It's not up!" I said, raising my voice. "...for debate," I continued in a low tone. I wasn't in the mood to banter words. She'll be safer with me and I wouldn't have to worry. Bruce fixed me with a frosty look as he got in and sat beside beside her. I couldn't care less about what he thought. I looked up, about to start the car and saw Hardin kneeling beside the man he once called father. I guess it didn't matter how much he claimed that he hated him. His father was still his father. Not mine anymore though. I couldn't feel much since I spent most of my life away from him anyway. Knowing that I wasn't the true first son of the Rivera family didn't hurt— I had absolutely nothing to lose. I started the car, causing Hardin to look into the blinding headlights. I was ready to drive away. I was fucking tired. "You can'

Bella My hands were shaky as I poured myself another glass of the amber liquid and the ice cubes clicked against the glass when I threw some in. I had been pushed away cruelly by the man I loved— no, the man I used to love. The same man who gave me the entire world and snatched it away with only a few cold words. I poured the liquid down my throat in a single gulp and the painful burn in my throat that caused me to squeal brought ease to my suffering. I stood up and adjusted my breasts in the blue dress I was wearing. It was the same kind Xander said didn't look great on me and I wore it that day because I didn't give a shit about his opinions on what looked good and what didn't. I was expecting a guest. A really handsome one at that. He brought healing to my aching heart and I didn't know what else to offer him but myself. Every other person left me to rot, including Bernice. I looked at my already packed suitcase, standing at the corner of the room. Bruce and I were going o