Loveless♣

Chapter 31

   It was shocking for him to hear.More shocking seeing the look on her face as she said it.
But as Joshua peered at Bella from the window, he couldn't help but admire the unflinching look of remorselessness on her face as she narrated her life story.
She was strong.So strong.
He'd been right from the beginning.He knew her looks were just a distraction,a façade.He also knew she had self control.
And he'd been proven right.
He had talked with Patricia at length about Joshua and Henry.They would stay with her until the storm had passed.
He needed her to move out,though.Terrence had said he was the link,and he had to keep Patti out of harm's way.
It was his job as an older brother.
He knew most stepbrothers wouldn't give a hoot about their stepsisters, but Joshua loved Patti deeply.She was the only family he knew.
As far as Joshua was concerned,they had no parents.He'd disowned them.They were undeserving of the title.
"Is that why when you first came to the Hood you refused to come out?" Terrence asked Bella,toeing to ground with his boot and shuffling his hands into his pockets.He was uncomfortable.Who wouldn't be?
The girl he'd grown up with.The one he'd known for nearly ten years...was a murderer.
He knew she'd been through some tough times.He'd known right from the moment he'd sighted her glaring at the world from her aunt's window years ago.
He knew she was cold hearted.
But to kill her own father?And with no feeling of regret?
"Yes," she replied,resting against a pillar."I didn't come out because I didn't want to have anything to do with y'all,or with anyone.People taint me.I have to stay away to cleanse myself. "
"Until Bash?" he asked.
"Until Bash," she agreed,nodding."Sebastian was different."
Terrence shrugged and sighed."Yeah,Bash was different. He had a way of influencing others without even speaking.We knew he'd affect you,eventually. I mean,you lived under the same roof.You were practically related."
Joshua's ears perked up.They were related?
"Bash ignored me for months at a stretch.We lived in silence.Do you know how strange that is?To wake up to the sound of another human in the house,to hear their breathing,see their movements, watch them walk,eat,sleep but not say a word to them?It was extremely unusual, but oddly comforting. I liked it.I liked him.He didn't try to form any kind of relationship with me.Barely looked at me ,much less acknowledged my presence or Aunt Ignacia's.Whenever we all sat together to have a meal,he only answered her in grunts and nods.He was this seemingly brooding person who walked gracefully and always had an uninterested look on his face.You can imagine how intriguing that was to a young girl who'd been so used to men leering at her and trying to grope her."
Terrence nodded."So you were attracted him,even though he was seven years older than you."
"His detachment fueled my attraction.Sebastian was my first crush.My first love."
Joshua leaned back and stared at her through the window.Her face had softened. He'd been listening to them talk for nearly half an hour and this was the first time a ghost of a smile had touched her lips.
She must have really loved him,he thought.
Had they been lovers despite the fact that they were related?
But why'd he rape her?
And why'd she cause his being sent to prison?
So many unanswered questions.
"I have to go now,T," she said.
Terrence sighed and stood up straight. "So do I. I came to say goodbye to my son...and Patti."
Bella pursed her lips. "Do you love her?"
"You know how hard it is for a hoodrat to love a princess.You of all people know and understand how we all had to avoid love.Cos they might use the ones we love most to settle the score.But,Isa...I loved Patricia.I still love her.I just can't be with her right now. If CJ could hurt my mom and put her in a coma,what do you think he'd do to my child and the woman I love?Patti and Little Joshua are the best thing that's happened to me,Isa.Maybe after all this blows over, we'll be together...but not now."
Bella nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry.This is why I think it's better to avoid love as a whole. Love brings pain.The only people I truly love are Nina and Marabella.One is an invalid,the other is suicide prone.Loving them still hurts me,but hey," she shrugged,"If I don't love 'em,who will?"
"And Joshua?" Terrence asked.
Bella frowned."What about Joshua? "
"Come on,Isa,I've seen the way you look at each other."
"What look?" Bella scoffed."You act like you don't know me,T.After what happened with my father,Sebastian and Cade,do you think I'd ever be able to trust another man?Much less love him?Joshua's a friend.One who's slowly dwindling down to an acquaintance.Soon,we'll be strangers and won't have anything to do with each other anymore."
"Really?" Terrence asked,cocking an eyebrow.
"Trust me,whatever Joshua and I have is for a while.I don't keep friends.Especially ones who eavesdrop on my conversations behind closed doors...or should I say windows?"
"Shit," Joshua muttered from inside and stepped backwards.
"I spent years watching my back,Joshua,"Bella said loudly."Do you really think I wouldn't know when someone's watching me?"
Terrence grinned."Isabella, "he said slowly,shaking his head."I'm gonna miss you so much," he said and drew her into a hug as Joshua stepped outside and shut the door.
"Um," he said,scratching his hair."I.."
Bella scoffed at Joshua as Terrence released her."At least you have the decency to look guilty."
Terrence looked from Bella to Joshua and back.
"I think y'all would make a good cou-"
"Man,you better start going before I kick you in the nuts," Bella warned.
Terrence laughed and raised his hands in surrender.
"Terry," Joshua said.
Terrence turned to look at him.
"I've misjudged you.I had no idea you had my sister's and nephew's best interests at heart.I..uh.." He frowned as though trying to find the words.
"It's okay,J.I get it.You thought I was bringing danger to them.I'd never do that.I only wanna ask you for a favor."
Joshua smiled."Anything."
"Can you please take good care of my little man?Protect him,like you always have.Teach him to be more like his uncle than his father."
Joshua nodded. "Sure,Terry.I'll teach him all about his dad too,and how much he loves him.Just so you know,you're free to see your son any time. I won't hinder you from exercising your right to be with him."
Terrence beamed."Thank you,J!"He hugged Joshua.Joshua stiffened.He didn't know how to reciprocate.He looked at Bella.She was smiling at the scene.He patted Terrence's back twice.
"Uh,yeah," he said awkwardly.
Terrence released him,still smiling.
"Well,Joshua..Bella..this is goodbye."
Bella pursed her lips and nodded.
"Try to keep in touch,Terry.Lay low.Don't get into any trouble with anyone."
"Yes,big sis," he replied playfully and bounded down the stairs.He crossed the street and mounted on a black powerful looking motorcycle.
"You know," he said,as he took his helmet in his hands.
"Terrence..." Bella growled."Don't. "
"I think," he continued.
"I'll kill you if you say it!" Bella yelled at him.
"That you both would make a killer couple."
"That's it!" Bella made to go down the stairs after him but Joshua held her back and laughed along with Terrence.
Terrence fit his helmet over his head,and revved the engine of the large machine to life.
"Bye,Terrence," Joshua said as they watched him break the wind with his speed.Joshua smirked at Bella's annoyed expression.
"What?" he asked.
"Just take me home," she snapped and walked towards the car in a huff.
Joshua shook his head.
What a temper.

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I'm working on another book .It's the prequel to Loveless.It's actually Terrence's and Patricia's story.
I hope you'll like it.
Gracias.