CHAPTER SIX

ADRIAN’S POV

“This house is now the property of Mr Jax Bentfort who owns a casino. The owner of this house owes him money and puts this house up as collateral. He was unable to pay till he died so the house now belongs to Mr Jax Bentfort,” One of the muscular men dressed in Black said.

I was shocked and so was Bella. Why did Daniel behave like that, hearing this meant that Carlos wasn't the only one Daniel put up this house as collateral for.

But most importantly the name I heard was one I couldn't forget. Jax Bentfort.

He and his friends were the ones who beat me up on the day I asked Bella to be my girlfriend back in high school.

Which landed me in the hospital for months because they broke my ribs and legs.

I used to think Bella did that purposely but it was recently I found out from her that they threatened to kill me if she accepted to be my girlfriend.

And also that she ran away that day when they started beating me up so she could call the police.

I used to think she abandoned me there to be beaten.

“Jax sent you?” She asked in surprise. Seems I wasn't the only one who recalled the name.

“But my brother wasn't the only one living in this house. I live here too," she added.

“I’m sorry Ma’am but that doesn't concern us,” The men in black said, making my Jaws harden.

“Take me to your boss. I want to pay off the debt,” I said authoritatively.

“You do know it’s Jax you're asking to see right? Like, Jax the one who almost beat you to death,” She pointed out with a worried look on her face.

“Common, Bel, that happened years ago. It’s time I see that motherfucker and tell him not to mess with either of us. I don't think it's a coincidence that your dead brother happens to be owing him. For all we know, he might still be keeping tabs on you,” I explained to her then turned my attention back to the men in black.

“Are you taking us there or what?” I asked slightly annoyed now.

“We have orders not to leave this place but we can tell you the name of the Casino and you can drive there yourself,” One of the men answered me.

“Get on with it then,” I answered curtly.

“JB Casino. Go there and…” Before the man in black could complete his statement Isabella and I cut him mid-sentence.

“What?” We exclaimed in unison and turned to look at each other.

It was obvious she was thinking what I was thinking. JB Casino was the very same casino where Daniel’s lifeless body was found in front of.

Could Jax have had something to do with Daniel’s death? Or was it just a coincidence?

The urge to see Jax at that moment instantly died down. All I wanted was to give the detective in charge of Daniel’s murder this heads up.

“Bel, look at me,” I said to her and cupped her face in my hands when I turned and saw her in a daze.

“In the meantime, can you be staying with me? I want you where I know you're safe. It would even make our whole Fake fiancée thing look more real,” I led Isabella a safe distance away from the Jax men and said to her.

“What if Jax knows how Daniel died? I say we go there and ask him,” Isabella said with tears welling up in her eyes and an angry countenance.

Based on what she told me Jax confessed his feelings for her and when she rejected him that was when I asked her to be my girlfriend and he threatened to kill me if she accepted.

That was why she did as they said. That was why she led me to a private place and rejected me based on Jax’s request.

From then, Jax began stalking her until she filed a report to the police and he stopped. Afterwards, it was like he disappeared into thin air.

Back then we used to hear rumors that Jax was a gang member and seeing how he owned a casino now sort of confirmed my suspicions too.

“I say we leave it to the detective to find out the truth. Maybe Jax wasn't involved. We have to be sure before we see him. Also how sure are you that you are safe in this house even though the debt your brother owes is paid off?” I asked her, also trying to convince her.

“Alright then. I’ll be staying with you but just until I get enough money to buy another house,” She said and I nodded.

I loved this girl so much but I still had to refrain from showing it. I felt it would be best for us if we did so.

I didn't want anything bad to happen again since, the first time we tried to get together, it led me to the hospital who knew what would happen if we tried to again. The thought of it still scared me.

Just when we wanted to head to my car, my mom called me.

“Hello Mom,” I said when I picked up the call while still walking to my car.

“Come to the house now,” Was all she said and the call ended.

I frowned because she had never spoken to me that way before.

Was something wrong? If something was wrong I would have noticed the worry in her voice.

We got into my car and I drove off heading for my family's residence. Isabella and I decided that it was time we set things in motion for our fake relationship.

Reaching my family's residence, I parked my car and wanted to get down but Isabella grasped my hand.

“I’m nervous. I'm not a good pretender. I'm scared that I might ruin things for you,” She said.

“You studied theater arts, Bel. Take it as though you're on stage acting a role given to you. The role of my being my girlfriend,” I said gently to her.

She closed her eyes and then exhaled. When she opened her eyes I saw seriousness and determination in them.

“Let’s do this,” She urged me.

Afterward, we got out of my car and headed into the house but I was not prepared for what I saw next.