The club manager rushed over, pale and trembling, his fear evident. I shot him a pointed glance, and he immediately understood, barking orders to clean up the mess. This club belonged to me, and my men, always lurking in the shadows, moved swiftly to remove the bodies and erase any trace of what had happened.
When I turned to Bella, her wide, disbelieving eyes met mine, filled with fear. She took a step back, and the sight of her retreating from me made my chest tighten. I cursed under my breath. This was the exact reason I never wanted her to see this side of me.
I moved quickly, pulling her into my arms despite her trembling resistance. “Baby girl, I’m sorry,” I whispered softly, cradling her close. “I never wanted to scare you. Don’t be afraid of me—I’d never hurt you, my love.”
Her
