Samuel's eyes were wide with horrifying astonishment and unadulterated terror but they werent on Bella. Unblinkingly they were gazing at something just out of her line of sight over her shoulder. His face which had already turned pale due to the confession he had just made became ashen as all the color was gone.
With a silent scream trapped in his eyes he stared at her enthralled by whatever horror had appeared behind her.
Her curiosity clashed with an abrupt overwhelming feeling of dread as she began to turn instinctively.
With her forehead furrowed in confusion, Bella asked."Samuel what is it? Who—"
She was about to ask when a stern angry voice sliced through the cool morning air like a razor slicing through the tense atmosphere. Bella was familiar with the voice which had the power to freeze blood and curdle milk.
As Bella turned around her eyes widened in a new wave of shock.
"What the hell is going on here?!" she exclaimed.
Evie stood a few feet away her body rigid with barely controlled rage. As usual she wore a fitted coat and was immaculately dressed but the raw poisonous rage that was twisted across her features broke the façade of pristine elegance. Her normally cool blue eyes blazed with an inferno of jealousy and accusations and her flawless blonde hair seemed to bristle.
She had the appearance of a predator who had recently discovered her victim. Sharp and piercing Evies eyes skipped over Bella before settling on Samuel who was motionless and still had a pale face from fear. Her otherwise lovely face was twisted into a cruel sneer as her lips curled.
With a tone of disdain and a deliberate insult in every word she said "So this is what youre doing Samuel? Meeting your little whore behind my back? After everything?"
Bellas own rage flared in reaction to the obvious disrespect and she felt a hot flush rise to her cheeks.
"Dont you dare call me that Evie!" she shot back her voice shaking with outrage. "And what Samuel does is none of your business!"
Evie laughed caustically and without humor. "Oh my dear its all my business. I possess Samuel. And you…" she spat her eyes narrowing to slits "...you are a helpless desperate little cling-on who is incapable of taking a hint."
With an air of aggression she stepped closer. "You should let him be, I told you. As I said watch out. But you simply couldnt help yourself could you? Constantly trying to control others and obtain things that arent yours."
"Manipulate?" bella cackled letting out a sour chuckle. Her own suffering and her intense desire to reveal Evies true character drove her to scream
"Youre the manipulator Evie! Youre the one whos trapped him with some dark secret from his past! Youre the one whos forcing him into this marriage!"
Evies face twisted in sheer rage as her eyes blazed even brighter. She lunged forward her hand raised obviously intending to hit Bella across the face
"How dare you?! What lies has he been feeding you you pathetic little fool?!" Evies hand was swishing harmlessly through the air when Bella acting instinctively ducked just in time.
"Dont you dare touch me!" Bella growled her own anger finally erupting and drowning out the confusion and hurt that lingered.
A fierce fire was ignited inside her by Samuels betrayal the humiliation of Evies words and the bravado of her attack. With a low menacing voice and vile glittering eyes Evie hissed "You think youre so clever dont you? Trying to take what is rightfully mine and destroy my life. Youre nothing more than a parasite!"
She lunged once more pushing Bellas chest this time. Bella was unprepared for the push and staggered backward. She quickly got back on track her own rage now a raging conflagration.
Bella had a raw voice as she screamed "Youre insane Evie!. Youre a monster! Youre ruining Samuels life and you dont even care!"
"Hes my business!" Evie cried her calm totally gone. "And youre going to stay out of it! Get out of here Bella! Get out of our lives! Now!"
She threw herself at Bella pushing and clawing in a display of unbridled rage and expensive clothing. A full-fledged physical altercation had resulted from the disagreement. Despite not being a fighter Bella had to defend herself from Evies desperate attacks.
In an attempt to get away from the thrashing hands and hurtful accusations she pushed back. Fueled by a desperate possessive rage Evie continued to lash out hurling threats and insults everywhere she went.
With a raspy voice Evie yelled "Youre nothing! He never loved you! He was just playing with you just like he plays with all his little toys!"
"Thats a lie!" Bella exclaimed her vision blurred by tears of rage and frustration.
Bellas words caused Evie to pause her eyes widening slightly as she said "He told me everything! He told me youre blackmailing him! He told me youre forcing him!"
Her eyes flickered with surprise and a fresh rage. "He told you what?!" she yelled her voice growing frantic.
Samuel remained completely paralyzed in the midst of this growing chaos. 'That lying pathetic coward! Ill ruin him! Ill ruin both of you!"
He was standing a few feet away his eyes wide with a mix of fear and desperation his body rigid. He had a ghostly pale face and a loose jaw. Apparently unable to comprehend the scene before him he glanced from Evies angry twisted face to Bellas angry tear-streaked one.
The terror of witnessing the two women he cared about tearing each other apart the weight of his secret and the fear of Evies power had left him immobile. The words wouldnt come and his limbs wouldnt move but he wanted to step in pull them apart and yell for them to stop.
He was imprisoned not only by Evies extortion but also by his own paralyzing uncertainty and fear. His silence was a deafening testament to his paralysis and he was a statue of agony. The morning calm was broken by the sounds of their heated argument piercing cries and angry shoves that reverberated throughout the peaceful park.
A couple of early-morning runners stopped and looked at them with interest and concern but nobody dared to stop them. The air was suddenly filled with a new sound a deep strong hum that quickly became louder and caught all three of thems attention.
A sleek black car that exuded expensive power and was immaculately polished slid silently into the parks tiny paved parking lot. It was a luxury sedan that was completely out of place in the rustic environment with tinted windows hiding its occupants.
It came to a stop a few yards away from their position after pulling up smoothly almost elegantly. The already high level of tension in the air became nearly intolerable. Evie stopped attacking her eyes narrowing in suspicion at the sudden appearance. Bella watched with increasing apprehension momentarily distracted from the altercation.
Samuel appeared to withdraw even more into himself while remaining motionless his eyes enlarging in fresh fear. A gentle click opened the drivers side door and a man stepped out. Tall and immaculately dressed in a dark suit that was specially tailored to fit him he seemed to move with every step.
His jawline was sharp his dark hair was slicked back and even at this distance there was a dangerous shrewd gleam in his eyes. His effortless grace and almost predatory confidence demanded attention. He was unquestionably attractive in a sinister seductive way but beneath the polished exterior there was a disturbing coldness about him that suggested something sinister.
He approached them his eyes moving over the tumultuous scene taking in Evies angry expression Samuels paralyzed fear and Bellas confused rage. He started to grin slowly and knowingly more like a smirk which made Bellas spine tingle. She recognized the smile for years it had fueled her nightmares and plagued her dreams.
The details of his face became more apparent as he approached and Bella let out a sharp uncontrollable gasp. Her eyes stretched in shock and a sudden deep horror as they widened.
No. Its not possible. not him. Not right now. Not in this place.
Her thoughts were racing as she attempted to make sense of the man in front of her and the ghost of her past. Years. She hadnt seen him or heard his name in years. She had persuaded herself that he was no longer there and would never return.
But now he was in front of her exuding a familiar yet unnerving strength. A few feet away he came to a halt and met her gaze with his dark eyes. His grin widened a chilly admission of her surprise.
"Hello Bella" Kane said in a deep smooth voice that was completely unsurprised as though this meeting had been expected.
Bella's heart skipped a beat.