CHAPTER 5: HUNTING FOR MARIA BELL

~ DAVID HARGROVE ~

           The limousine stopped before the building. My mind reeled thinking that she’d left. Our contracts weren’t over until I said so. I’d remind her of that as I disciplined her. Also, what did she know about Sabrina.

            The car hadn’t stopped before I’m getting out. I waved off my guards and driver. I entered without them. They didn’t need to see this. The building’s secure anyway.    

            The doorman rushed to hold the door. In the elevator, the doors closed, and I gave him a sheepish smile and a wave. All I want is to speak with Maria. My behavior doesn’t matter, I own the building. I’m going nowhere.

            Maria doesn’t understand she’s not leaving. She’s my perfect lover. I’ve never met a woman like her. Her drawbacks are she’s a gold digger and has no pedigree. If it were different I’d have married her the first time I had her. But after the scandal I need a wife with a pedigree to satisfy my family. What I want doesn’t matter.

            Yet, I want Maria now in the background. Call me a bastard. I don’t care. My contracted wife knows I’ll have a mistress, and she’ll stay out of it. I don’t care what Sabrina does if she is discreet. I’m not interested in hearing it. It’s business.

            Why am I here? I don’t have a clue. I don’t know. Maria Bell is just another sugar baby, a contracted lover. Albeit she’s lasted longer than any other. Why do I want her so? This frustrates me. I shouldn’t care.

            I know something’s off when the elevator doors open onto the penthouse floor. She’s not here. If she were, there’d be music. She always plays music. Maria loves music. She has playlists for every mood, and everything she does.

            Maria was the woman who introduced me to making love with music playing. Just thinking about it. I can feel my cock react to wanting her. Hell, I know which song I want to hear when I sink into her. Maria’s influenced my life, but no one can know. She’s, my weakness. My Bella Bell.

            I’m the one in charge, not her. She’s the one I pay. Where is she? I want answers. “Maria? Where are you?” Why am I calling out? I know she’s gone.

            There’s so little missing from the open closet. That’s unlike her. She closes doors. The bathroom’s untouched. Yet the condo feels abandoned. My heart’s thumping in my chest. It’s not reassuring with my mood. Her steps are easy to trace, but confusing. She came for specific items. I don’t know what though. Gold-diggers take everything. They planned to clean their benefactor out of everything they can. Maria didn’t.

            There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach. I pass the closet again; I notice an empty spot this time but not what’s missing. Everything in here I bought, and I realize I don’t know what’s missing. She promised to leave as soon as she could. Why didn’t she take her clothes? She’ll need her clothes.

            I remembered seeing something on the kitchen counter as I entered. Why do I feel like I should question my sanity? I moved through the living room to the kitchen.

            I stop dead and stare. My eyes fall on her custom scarlet gem encrusted phone on its charger, her cards in a haphazard pile, with several papers. “Fuck.” I snatched the phone to look at it. Soon, I realized she’s not broken it, but someone has done something to it. Who?   

            A call to Jake led to the discovery someone triggered a factory reset and removed the microchip. “Do you want me to investigate Boss?”

            “Yes, Jake.” My phone notified me of another call. Annoyed I growled and cursed. I’ve no time or interest for anything else. Initially, I ignored the call. However, I’d regret it if I continued. “Jake, I need to take this damn call. It’s Sabrina.”

            “Yeah, sure. I’ll send word when I find something, later Boss.”

            I switched calls and demanded in an irritated voice. “Sabrina. Do you know the time? Why are you calling?” How could she think it’s acceptable?      

            “David. My father’s died.” He could hear her crying. Maria was correct again. How had she learned this before Sabrina?

            “I’m sorry.” He’s been in a hospice center. Jacqualine didn’t want nurses in the home fearing thefts. Now, I’m tempted to ask Sabrina what’s her legal name is. Instead, I resisted and let her cry. “Do you want me to visit?”

            “No, I wanted you to know, so we can announce our engagement.” I stared at my phone, frowning. First, she cries over her stepfather’s death. Now, she’s announcing our engagement. She’s bloody mercenary.

            Maria looked more heartbroken when she’d informed me of his death. Like she’d loved the man. I swear Maria cried before she returned. She tried to hide the tears from me. Something’s off. I can’t place it and it’s bugging me.

            “Let’s delay our announcement while your family mourns, Sabrina. We can take our time, no rush. This may be business, but I’m not a monster. Let’s avoid giving the impression that I’m one.” Nothing should happen while the estate’s in probate. I feel this was the last thing I want to rush.

            “Oh, right. Of course. Yes. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Whatever you say. What’s a suitable wait time?” A timeline. The woman wanted a schedule for mourning. This wasn’t a vacation.

            “I’ll consider it and let you know. How’s your mother?”

            “I, uh, she’s doing as good as expected. I guess.”

             Sabrina hesitated, as though she didn’t know how to respond. Or as if she knew was lying to me. What was going on? I can’t waste my time this on foolishness. These women were too flighty and secretive. I hate it.

            “Go care for her. Spend time. I’ll visit you tomorrow.”                                     

            “Oh right. I almost forgot. You must attend a meeting tomorrow with our lawyer.”

            “A meeting?” It’d have been nice if she had led with this. The woman doesn’t have her priorities straight. How can I trust her after we’re married to have our best interests?

            “My father’s lawyer wants to see us at ten to talk about the funeral preparations, my inheritance, and stuff. As my fiancée you’re expected.” Why do I feel like she wants me there so she can show me off? Sabrina’s emotions were extreme, and I feel they’re inappropriate right now. It’s concerning me.

            “Oh, I see. I’ll adjust my schedule. Goodnight, Sabrina.”         

            “Goodnight, David.” I frowned; I needed yet more answers. The internet wasn’t perfect, but it could provide something. Jake could find more later. I felt so annoyed after this. I wanted to destroy the contracts and ignore the consequences. Though, I still needed to confirm whether Sabrina had changed her last name or had Edger Belgrave adopted her.

            Now, sitting at the counter, I searched and located what I wanted. Maria and Jake were correct. Sabrina was Sabrina Vines, his stepdaughter. On the internet at least, I needed to find out if she had changed her name or if Edger Belgrave had adopted her.

            The surprise Jake spoke of was an older, biological daughter. Someone altered the sites and removed all information about this woman. They struck her name and image from the internet. I found nothing about her or her mother. Every site I went to, I found dead pages and redacted information.

            Someone wanted them erased. Why?