Chapter 18

BELLA

I'd never felt as nervous as I was at the moment. I gulped, still looking at the bag as if it were a carnivorous animal. Fuck! How could I have been so careless? I even forgot to disconnect before stuffing the phone back in my handbag! 

“Bella!”

This time, it was a growl. A very animalistic sound. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. I knew I wasn't supposed to have such a reaction to a phone call, but…

These brothers are damned frightening! 

I opened my handbag and took the phone out. 

“Oh, hi there!” I tried not to sound nervous, so he wouldn't pick up on my emotions. I wanted to make it seem so normal. When it wasn't. 

“Don't fucking use that tone on me! Who were you speaking to now?” 

Oh boy.

“Oh! I was conversing with a new worker. We have a mission together!” I smiled, hoping he would take my flimsy excuse because I knew anyone could tell we were going on a date, not a mission. I mean, what