Chapter 11 - NO MORE BARGAINS
Bella wanted to leave at once. William stopped her long enough to call the police about Margaret and Denise, then told his security team where they were going.
Lilith listened from the doorway. “The collector can’t force Denise to open anything. He wants Bella frightened enough to do it for him.”
Denise had sold Bella’s address, followed Adrian for money, and spent years making Bella feel responsible for every bad choice she made. Bella was furious with her. She was still going to the courthouse.
They found Denise and Margaret in the basement. Adrian stood beside a stone doorway that had not been there before. The collector held the iron box against it.
Bella’s locket grew warm.
“Open it,” Adrian ordered.
Bella stepped closer. “Let them go first.”
Adrian pushed Denise toward William. Margaret followed more slowly, clutching her bruised arm. William moved them toward the stairs.
Adrian’s face twisted. “You really think giving away the money makes you a better Norman?”
“No,” William said. “It gives me a chance to stop being the kind you are.”
The collector lifted the box. The doorway opened a crack. Wind swept across the basement, knocking Bella against the wall.
Lilith caught her. “Listen to me. The judge behind that door will offer you something you want. Make him say the full price before you answer.”
Bella nodded.
Adrian rushed her and ripped the locket from her neck. He pressed it into the carved hollow in the stone.
The door opened wide.
May you like
For one awful second, the whole basement fell silent. Then two small cries came from the darkness beyond it.
Bella’s hands flew to her stomach. The cries sounded exactly like her children.
