“Who’s Cam?” Mikel asked.
“My friend’s sister,” TJ said, standing.
“The girl he likes,” Bently added.
Mikel elbowed Andre in the gut playfully as he said, “Ahh, best friend’s little sister, huh? Good luck with that, my friend.”
Andre shoved Mikel. “Yeah, don’t do what this idiot did and keep it a secret from him.”
“Hey, I was up front about it once I realized I was in deep.” Mikel pulled Remy onto his lap as she giggled.
Andre shook his head. “After I caught you two together you mean.”
Mia snuggled in close to him. “Ooh, I haven’t heard this story.”
“See you all later. Thanks for everything,” TJ said as he shrugged on his coat and grabbed his bag.
Belle stood to give him a hug. “Be safe.”
“Always am.” He smiled and left.
Belle sat again. Bently pulled her against him. She stared into the crackling fire as the holiday lights glittered over the mantle and the giant decorated tree. She was warm and relaxed. Christmas music drifted from a speaker, and for the first time in all her life, she understood what it meant to be truly at peace.
Bently nuzzled into her neck. His voice was a harsh whisper. “Move in with me.”
She blinked and turned to face him. His cautious smile tipped the edges of his mouth up.
“A week ago, you were begging me for a second chance.”
“I told you I was in this. I want to wake up to you in my bed, and fall asleep next to you every night. I’ve wasted enough time. I know what I want, and that’s you. I want you so deeply imbedded in my life, I don’t know where you stop and I begin.” Bently searched her eyes.
Her heart raced. Could she do this? Was she ready for such a big step? “What about TJ?”
“He’s all for it if you are.”
“You already asked him?” She was well and truly stunned.
“I figured you two were a package deal. I’ve got the room.”
She’d been wrong before. Her heart could apparently hold more than she’d thought possible. Was it a risk? Yes. Was she willing to take the plunge?
“What are you two lovebirds talking about over there?” Mikel asked.
Bently smirked. “I’m asking her to move in with me.”
Dre’s smile slipped as his eyes darted between them.
“What did you say?” Remy asked.
Bently turned to her. “Well?”
“Yes.”
Bently’s grin widened as he pulled her in and crashed his mouth onto hers.
“Uncle Bently’s kissing Belle!” Lyra exclaimed before they broke apart. The little girl approached her uncle before grasping his face in her tiny hands. “Your spell can be broken now.”
His brow furrowed. “What spell is that, sweet pea?”
“You used to be the beast, but now you can be the prince with a happy heart.” Lyra smiled.
Bently glanced at Belle knowingly as he answered his niece. “You’re right, sweetheart. Belle saved me from myself.”
“Can we watch the movie now? I love Beauty and the Beast. Are you a real princess, Belle?” Lyra asked in rapid succession.
Belle laughed. “I’ve never seen it.”
“What?” Lyra gasped. “Mommy! Did you hear that?”
“I did, sweet girl. We’ll have to watch it with her sometime.” Remy looked adoringly towards her daughter.
“Yes. We can have a girls’ night!” Lyra said excitedly.
“I’ll bring the juice boxes,” Remy said.
“I’ll bring the wine,” Mia added.
“And I’ll bring the chocolate.” Jasmine winked.
“Then I’ll have to bring the ice cream.” Belle tapped Lyra’s nose.
The little girl’s eyes grew wide. “It will be the bestest girls’ night ever!”
Belle looked around the room, a warm glow settling within her chest.
Mikel nudged Andre. “Guess us guys will have to take Phoenix and have a guys’ night, then.”
“I’ll bring the beer and poker chips.” Bently’s laugh rumbled against her side, sending a shiver through her. This was her life now. She had family and true happiness. Acceptance and love. Finally she had everything she’d been too afraid to hope for. Nothing could take this away from her.
Chapter 41
Bently
January brought a fresh blizzard to the coast, and several feet of snow. Vargas was leading the investigation on who had been after him. But all the leads had dried up, as had the incidents. Bently had thanked his lucky stars that he’d had peace from his likely stalker.
He’d spent the last few weeks helping Belle move her things over to his place a little bit at a time. Now that most of the snow had cleared from the storm, he would be able to make a trip with his truck to get the big items.
Knock. Knock.
Bently looked up from the stack of paperwork on his desk. “Come on in.”
Andre walked through the door, his brows knit together.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
Andre sat in the chair across from him. “You busy?”
“I’m always busy.” He chuckled and closed the folder in front of him. “You available Saturday to help me move some of Belle and TJ’s stuff to my house? She can’t get out of her lease until February, but we’re gonna start bringing things over.”
Andre shifted in his seat. “Don’t you think it’s kinda soon to be moving in with them?”
Bently furrowed his brow, bewildered. “You asked Mia to marry you only how many short months after meeting her?”
“I know.” Andre sighed. “But that was different.”
“How?” Bently asked, hackles rising.
“How well do you really know them, Bent?”
“Why don’t you just say what you gotta say,” Bently snapped.
“The kid who mugged me and Mia in the alleyway . . .” Andre started.
What the hell?
“What about it? I haven’t got any more leads.”
Andre held up his hands. “I told you the kid looked scared, said he didn’t want to be there. But the other one with the knife threatened to hurt his sister.”
“What does this have to do with me moving in with Belle?” Bently growled. He was out of patience.
“TJ is the one who mugged us.”
The air was sucked out of the room. No. No way. He couldn’t . . . “Are you sure? There’s no—”
“I’m positive. Remember when you first brought them
