Chapter 25

Bella sat watching Cora playing with her son in the courtyard. The boy was learning to skateboard, and Cora was cheering him as he rolled on Bella's board.

Cora walked over with a kind smile. "Bella, I know that look. You're thinking about him again."

"I miss him. The night before the last Mecca Island wrestling show we..."

"You made love to him again, didn't you?"

"Yes. Why am I so stupid? Wishing for a man who left me alone and confused. But I can't stop loving him."

"You know he did it for you. If he had a choice, he would be with you right now. You two are like kindred spirits. You always find your way back to each other, even if it's just for a moment."

"He promised he would always love me. What if he marries someone else? What if I can't get parliament to change their mind?" Bella sighed.

"You have to. The only other option is to renounce your title. You have helped Mecca Island so much. It would suffer without you."

"Cora, you are like a mother to me. What would you do?"

"Arabella, I couldn't fight for myself and William. I missed all those years together as a family. You are a fighter. I say, fight. You have done nothing by the book since I've known you. Why start now?"

"Why don't you be queen. I could make it happen. You're next in line now that you're married. You are better at this stuff than I am. You showed me how to be a queen. You do as much as I do. You're the one who has parliament eating out of your hands. I'm no queen. I'm a woman from Ohio who just wants her life back, and the freedom to love the man of her dreams."

"Sweetie, I'm not the queen. You are. And a bloody good one, I might add."

"I guess. I just don't know how to win this fight."

"Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy."

***

A few weeks later, Bella and the duke's nephew, Kendrick, were walking through the gardens talking.

"Bella, it's not so bad. Think about it. We could rule side-by-side. We would have beautiful children and I can focus on the country, while you raise our sons."

"So you think I'll just let you take over and play mommy, right? I'm not some baby machine. I'm queen and I have no intention of being your little trophy wife. I sure will not play into your misogynist idea of women's roles in society."

"This isn't America, my queen. We have very different roles here."

"Not going to happen. I'm a strong, independent woman. Get used to it," Bella scowled.

"All you need to do is relax." Kendrick smirked. "Come here. Let me help you calm down."

He turned to grab her, trying to force a kiss.

"Stop! Don't fucking touch me, you disgusting jackass! I may be queen, but I'm still the same Ohio girl I was. I will kick your ass up around your ears." She struggled to get away.

"You need to learn respect for your future king. We will marry in two weeks. Might as well get the festivities started now. I will train you to be the perfect wife. You just need some discipline and a firm hand."

"Discipline? Are you threatening the queen?"

"You're spoiled. It's time I show you your place." He grabbed her arm hard and Bella worked to back away.

"Don't touch me! Get out of my castle! I'll never marry you and I'd die before I let you touch me." She walked up and smacked him across the face and spat at him. "Get out!"

"THAT'S IT! I've had enough of your smart mouth. It's time I show you who is in charge here." Kendrick grabbed her, pulling her to a nearby bench. He pushed her over his knee, ready to spank her as Bell struggled to break his grip. His belt whipped from his pants loops.

He started hitting her on the behind and Bella screamed, "STOP! HELP!"

"Let her go!" A gruff, angered, all too familiar voice came from behind them.

Bella wriggled loose, falling to the ground as she turned to the voice. She couldn't believe it. He came.

"Jett!" She jumped up and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him as if he were her lifeline.

Jett glared at the man, kissing the top of her head while holding her protectively. "Bella, go inside. I'll be there in a few minutes. Lord Kendrick and I have things to discuss."

Jett was much more physically built and towered over the man. In his Jett Black logo t-shirt and jeans, he looked more handsome than she'd ever seen him. Jett's long blond wavy locks pulled back in a ponytail and his body more fit than she remembered was like looking at a Greek god in all his glory.

"You came for me."

"Go inside. I need to have a man-to-man conversation with you former, fiance'."

Bella kissed Jett's cheek and walked away, looking over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of what was going on. Jett looked far too intimidating at that moment for her to argue, to stay. His broad shoulders and hard chest heaving in anger, with the sweat of his brow glistening over his tan skin. It exhilarated Bella at the sight. It was like seeing him in the ring, only this time it was real. He was there to take back what was his.

Once Jett made sure she was inside, he stepped to the man. His brows laced together as his entire body seemed to expand twice its size. He glared at the man so intently Kendrick took a few steps back in fear.

"I suggest you walk away, Lord Kendrick. Don't you ever touch her again. Do you understand me? If you so much as look at her wrong, I'll end you. Bella will never marry you. Her heart belongs to me."

"Too late, Jett. She's mine. I suggest you keep your hands off my fiance. I hear you use her as your little plaything when it's only convenient for you. That stops now. She's going to marry me. She'll be my wife." Kendrick walked up to him chest-to-chest, taunting Jett. "You are dying to hit me, aren't you? Yes, I see it in your eyes. Hit me and you go to prison. It's instant jail time for hitting royal blood."

"It would be worth it. I heard you have tried to force yourself on her against her will, several times. But she got away from you. Where I'm from, that shit doesn't fly. You touch her again I'll fucking kill you where you stand. Now. You need to leave while I still have my wits about me. My patience is running thin. For the next two weeks, your nothing to her. She doesn't want you here, so leave," Jett growled as his face turned red with anger.

Kendrick shrugged, while backed down with a sly smirk. "I will for now. I have to meet with my uncle. Don't get too comfortable here, wrestling boy. She's still my fiance'. There is nothing you can do about it once that crown is on my head. When it is, I'll be banning XFW, and it's employees from my country for good," he walked away with a chuckle.

Jett turned to head back inside. "Bella! Bella! He's gone. Baby? Where are you?"

"Oh, Jett. Please hold me. I couldn't fight him off."

Bella rushed in his arms crying. Jett wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into the safety of his arms.

"It's all right now. I'll never let him near you again. Bella, I missed you so much."

"What are you doing here?"

Bella realized that she couldn't get close again. If he left this time, it was over for them and she pushed away.

"Please, Bella? Don't look at me like that. I miss you."

"You left me again. That night, I thought you were going to make it work. Where have you been all this time? I'm being forced to marry against my will. I can't love anyone but you. I won't. I needed you," she cried. "I can't watch you walk away again. I just can't. Take me with you. Take me away from here. I want to go back to America."

"Bella, I have something to do. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you right now. You have to trust me. When it's all over, you won't have to worry anymore."

"Jett, what? Why? What's going on?" Bella said, confused.

He pulled her closer, laying his forehead on hers and cupping the sides of her face in his hands. "I never stopped loving you. Just tell me you still love me too and I'll fix all of this."

"I could never say no to you. I've always loved you," she closed her eyes, taking in his scent as if it was her drug.

Cora walked up behind her. "Arabella, we must go. Parliament is going to be in session. Master Jett? What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story. You ladies go ahead. I have some things I need to take care of."

"You won't leave, will you?" Bella pleaded.

Jett shook his head no. "Go. I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever. I won't lose you again."