Over the past few months, Bella had observed how Lucas interacted with Taylor and his other brothers. Far from what Bella would expect from a rich, white dude. He was definitely a catch. But it had taken Bella entirely too long to get over her love for Dean, and the loss of their marriage. To her, falling in love wasn’t worth the pain of losing love.
“Miss, you wanted to see me? I’m Gary, the manager.”
Bella blinked out of her Lucas haze and turned to the manager. He was smiling, but she could tell that he was a tad uneasy. Bella smiled to still his anxiety.
“Yes. I’m Detective Devereaux from the Chicago Police Department. Do you have security cameras?”
“We do.”
“I need the surveillance footage from this evening in and outside the restaurant.”
The manager’s brow wrinkled. His face was carved with curiosity. But, unlike the hostess, he did inquire. “Why do you need this footage, Detective?”
“It’s part of an on-going investigation.”
The manager nodded his head. “Unfortunately, we don’t have cameras inside the dining room. But we do have cameras outside and in the bar. I can make you a copy of the footage that we have.”
“I’d appreciate that. I’ll be in the private banquet.”
“No problem. I’ll find you when it’s done.”
“Thank you, Gary.”
When the manager walked away, Bella headed back to the dining room. When she entered, she noticed that most of the guests had sat down to dinner. She crossed the room to take her seat next to Dean at Taylor’s table. Seated on her other side, was Taylor’s mom. Martha was beautiful, and Taylor was practically her twin. Whereas Taylor, with her thick, natural curls, was more of a bohemian beauty, Martha’s look was meticulously well put together. She smiled and placed her hand on Bella’s shoulder.
“Bella, how are you, darling?”
Her friendly smile incited Bella to smile. “I’m doing well, Mrs. Montgomery. How are you?”
“Wonderful,” she responded sweetly.
Bella enjoyed friendly conversations throughout dinner. During the course of the evening, she observed the way that Taylor and Victor interacted with each other. Even though they were dealing with the return of his wife, they seemed to be handling it very well. The Creeds and the Montgomery’s appeared to get along very well. If Taylor’s parents had an issue with her relationship with a white man, they didn’t show it. It was the same with Victor’s parents. They seemed to love Taylor, and so did his brothers.
As she often found herself doing for the most of the evening, Bella looked over at Lucas. He was staring at his phone while simultaneously having a conversation with his brother, Lincoln. Bella looked around the room at all of Victor’s brothers. She grinned and shook her head. Tabitha Creed had birthed some beautiful sons. Keeping them on the right path had to have been a hell of an undertaking.
“So, that’s the man that you’ve been running from?” Dean whispered in her ear. “Seems to me you should be running toward him.”
“Mind your business, Dean,” Bella warned.
“Youaremy business, Belladonna. Now, that man is beyond good-looking, he’s well off, and he is really into you. I’ve been watching him. His eyes have followed you around this room all night.”
“Leave it alone, Dean,” Bella gritted.
Dean blew out a harsh breath. His frustration was evident. But Bella didn’t insert herself into his romantic life, and she wasn’t going to allow him to dictate hers.
“He’s notme, Bella. That man is as straight as an arrow. Trust me. I know these things.”
“Gaydar,” Bella scoffed.
“Hell, yeah. Trust and believe. If I thought that man had an ounce of sugar in his tank, I would be all over that.”
Bella frowned at the thought. “Dean, please, shut up.”
Dean chuckled and draped his arm over Bella’s shoulder. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “I love you, girl. I just want you to be happy. You know that, right?”
Bella relaxed against him. “I know.” She breathed. “And I love you too.”
