Belle studied him through narrowed regard. There were dark smudges beneath his eyes and his normally impeccable hair was a tangled mess. Even the ever-present sparkle in his eyes had all but vanished. Belle sensed that beneath his veneer of calm, there laid a barely restrained fury, a murderous intent even, though he did good work hiding it.
A heavy sigh heaved from her chest. Now this was a side to him she’d never before seen, a side she was quite certain he rarely, if ever, presented to the world.
“Thank you, Simon, for saving me.”
His cheeks reddened. “Anyone would have done the same.”
Belle shook her head, amazed that he could not see the greatness of his act. “No, not everyone wouldhave.”
“It was my fault you were taken.”
Belle frowned. “What utter rot. That villain bettered us. You cannot lay the blame at your feet.”
“I should have fought harder against the plan.”
She snorted. “You still would have been outnumbered.”
He looked away. “I thought I was too late; we were too late.”
“I was lucky, but De Roux needs to be dealt with. Are there any leads?”
Simon shook his head. “Shaw attempted set chase but the devil managed to give him the slip. I’m afraid we have nothing. They’ve set up patrol units along the coast in the event he returns.”
“Oh, he will return, even if just to ascertain himself that I am dead.”
“Then we will catch him, even if I have to turn this entire island upside down.”
Belle blinked at the menace in his voice but found she felt the same darkness churning inside of her. She wanted Edgar De Roux dead.
“I wish to go home,” she murmured.
“No, that is not an option. If he returns, it will be the first place he searches. It’s better for you to stay here, at least for a while.”
“My aunt—”
“We will take care of your aunt. Do not concern yourself with such things now.”
Belle grabbed his arm in a tight grip. “I did not ask for permission, Simon. I am going home.”
His eyes narrowed and he leaned into her until their noses almost touched. “You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever had the fortune to meet,” he growled.
“You can act the indignant male all you like, but I still make my own decisions. I do not plan on hiding like some scared little bird. I won’t.”
“Dammit! You don’t even give me an inch.”
“Simon, don’t. Please.”
“We made love, Belle. You cannot tell me that it meant nothing to you.”
“That horrendous act—”
“Horrendous act?” Simon cut her off, a look of horror flashing across his features.
“Well, it was hardly an act of wonder with you hovering above me all shocked like.”
“I made a mistake,” he bit out, “which I thoroughly regret. That still doesn’t change what happened or the fact that I wish to make it right by you.”
“You should,” she snapped. “However, I have made my feelings on marriage clear.”
