Chapter 22 - Bella Margot's POV " You can quit acting like a fucking baby now . I'm covered , " he muttered , continuing to scoff in amusement . His voice was sharp , like it had been fuelled by years of razor - edged sarcasm and venom . My eyes were still glued to the wall where I'd spun myself moments earlier , but at his words , I dared a glance over my shoulder . Crap . He was covered - technically , yes - but just barely . The only thing protecting what little dignity remained for either of us were those tight , black boxer briefs that did a poor job at concealing anything since I could very much still see a large outline of his privacy ... I swallowed hard , forcing my gaze to stay north of his navel , but my eyes betrayed me for a flash - darting lower before I caught myself . Shit . Heat rushed to my cheeks as I turned fully around , still facing him but keeping my chin lifted high enough to stay in safe territory . I didn't need to add pervert to the long list of things he already probably thought I was . He stood there like he owned the damn room - which I guessed , technically , he did . Leaning back against the chest of drawers , arms folded over his chest , every vein and muscle in his arms on full , unapologetic display . He looked like a predator sizing up his prey , and it made every nerve in my body stand to attention . " Are you just gonna stand there ? " he asked , one brow raised as his eyes trailed over me lazily . " I won't kill you if you take a seat , you know . " That wasn't as reassuring as he probably meant it to be . I nodded gently . " Thanks ... " I murmured , barely above a whisper at the offer anyhow . My legs moved on autopilot as I approached the lone black chair tucked against the opposite wall . Sinking down on to it , it wasn't comfortable , but I wasn't about to complain . I stiffly shuffled around on the edge of the seat , knees together , hands clasped tightly in my lap like a scared little girl at Sunday mass . 1/5 3:15 pm P Chapter 22 - Bella He didn't look away from me either , his gaze unforgiving and calculating . " What's your name ? " He asks me next , catching me off guard . His tone had shifted - it wasn't as sharp as before , but still carried that weight . Like everything he said and done was a test . " Margot , " I replied , voice small but steady . He snorted . Yes , snorted . Actually laughed at me . " That's the dumbest name I've ever heard . " He claimed , shaking his head in what seemed to be disbelief . My face twisted in quiet offense . I didn't have much pride left , but even that stung . " Southern , though ? " he added next , nodding like he was confirming a theory . " I can tell from your voice ... and the name just fucking confirmed it ! " He laughed again at the end . I nodded again , a little unsure of what to say . " Last name ? " He pushed further , his dark eyes finding mine once again . " Belle . " I admitted , waiting for another laugh from him , but I was surprised that none came . His head tilted at my statement , a flicker of something passing behind his dark eyes . " Margot Belle ? " He tested , tutting afterwards as though he wasn't fully satisfied . He paused for a second , before he nodded slowly ... ' Bella . " He tried next , My brows furrowed at that . " What ? " " That's what I'm calling you now , Bella . " He shrugged , finalising the decision . " But that's not- " " It's Italian . " He smirked , and I hated the way it made my stomach flutter . Damn him . " B - But what does it mean ? " I asked , curiosity escaping before I could rein it back in . 2/5 3:15 pm PSDD . Chapter 22 - Bella His smirk grew , more wolfish now . Dangerous . " Learn Italian and you'll find out , Bella . " A warning ? A challenge ? I didn't know , and it unsettled me more than what I wanted to admit . This was a game to him . What was he calling me ? It could be anything ? I couldn't string one Italian word together to save my life and so I had no hope of figuring it out either . I cleared my throat awkwardly . " So ... you're Italian ? " I attempted to change the topic from my new pet name . He sighed like I was wasting his time . " Dad is . Mom's from Cali . " I nodded again , because apparently that was all I was capable of doing around him - panicking . Then his eyes narrowed again , and I felt my stomach knot all over . What now ?! nodding and " So you gonna tell me why you're here ? " he asked . " You must be fucking stupid . Or maybe you've got some wild kink for criminals ? You wouldn't be the first , longing for a dangerous fuck . " My mouth opened in horror at his blunt words . " N - No ! II mean , we just needed the money , " I stammered , praying the truth would be enough to calm whatever fire was flickering behind his eyes . " We ? You got a boyfriend outside waiting for you or something ? Putting you up to this ? " He demanded to know , as I held my hands up in defence . " N - No , of course not ! Me and my friend ... we didn't have anything left back home . We just wanted out . " I admitted quickly , hoping it was enough for him . He fell quiet . Watching . Judging . I held my breath . Then , finally , he spoke . " Well , I need freedom , " he said , voice like steel . " And you're my only fucking way to get it . " My heart froze . 3/5 3:15 pm P SDD . Chapter 22 - Bella He stood up to his full , towering height . The playful smirk now gone . ― Now , he looked like something out of a nightmare all hard lines and grim certainty . " So you're going to help me, " he continued . " And if you don't ... " His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper . " Then you can probably figure out for yourself what I'll do to you . I've got connections outside these walls . I won't just end you , Bella . I'll end your entire fucking family . " The air left my lungs . It was like he'd punched me without lifting a finger . My eyes welled with tears instantly , and I bit down hard on my tongue , trying not to let them spill . " Crying already ? " he scoffed . " Is it really that easy to break you ? " I wiped at my eyes quickly , furious with myself for letting him see it . " I ... I don't have a family anyway , " I whispered . I regretted the words the second they left my mouth . His eyebrows pulled together sharply . " You trying to get smart with me already, bitch?! " he snapped , his voice rising like thunder . " No ! No , I'm sorry ! " I panicked , hands flying up instinctively like a shield . " I meant it . I - I don't have a family . Dad's an asshole and Moms gone . " He stared at me , breathing heavy through his nose . For a moment , something flickered across his face quickly as it came . - something I couldn't quite name . It was gone as He turned away from me , muttering something under his breath that I didn't catch . I didn't know if it was mercy or just boredom , but he didn't press the issue . I sat in silence , my whole body trembling as I watched him stalk toward the bed , sitting down on the edge of it with a grunt . He looked down at the floor like he was thinking , his fingers tapping against his knee in a rhythmic , agitated beat , Was this what my life was going to be now ? Living in fear of every word , every breath ? 4/5 3:15 pm P DD Chapter 22 - Bella He looked back up suddenly , locking eyes with me again . I flinched . And he smirked . " You'll toughen up , " he said simply , like it was a fact . " With me , you will . " Then he lay back on the bed , folding his arms behind his head . Coban Santorelli had already taken charge of our cell . And I was most definitely losing . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!