Read Online Beg for It by Stacey Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

the side, and his gaze landed on Bella. He didn't look disappointed like he had earlier tonight. Fire burned in the depths of his eyes, but as he glanced at Reed, that rage faded.
    Is he angry at me?
    "Got mugged,” he replied.
    "Seriously?” Marley asked, stepping up next to the bed.
    "Stupid junkie wanted money and pulled a gun on me."
    Bella's heart skipped a beat. “Gun?"
    Kole didn't even look at her. He completely disregarded her as if she hadn't said anything. As if she wasn't standing there worrying about him. Her own irritation flared to life.
    What did I do to him?
    Kole continued, “He knocked me in the head with his gun. Idiot was too high to realize shooting me would have done the trick."
    Reed took a seat in the chair beside the bed. “Did you subdue him?"
    "Thought about it.” His fingers clenched and jaw tightened. “But I had other things to deal with."
    "What happened after he hit you?” She asked, proud her voice sounded strong.
    Once again, he didn't even acknowledge her, and her muscles tensed. She took a further step into the room and glared at him. “Stop ignoring me."
    Reed glanced over his shoulder at her, frowning. Marley jerked her head to Bella and shook her head slowly, as if warning her. But she didn't deserve to be treated in this manner. She'd done nothing wrong and held her ground.
    Kole rose up on his elbow, lowered the ice pack to display a good five stitches over his eyebrow, and pinned her with his stare. His voice flowed through the room, sounding smooth like velvet, but stern. “Bella. Take a seat. Stay quiet."
    A wave of emotion washed over her, compelling her to listen. Normally if a man spoke to her in that manner, she'd curse at him and probably flip him off. But she found her legs moving her toward the chair and was shocked at herself when she sat down.
    He finally removed his steely gaze from her and looked at Reed. “Came here thinking they'd stitch me up and send me on my way. Only to find out they had to report it to the cops, and I spent an hour answering questions. Then, the doc thought I should stay until the morning just to be sure I didn't have a concussion."
    Bella clasped her hands in her lap, looking down, and a swell of emotion bubbled up. Pissed might have been an understatement. And his unhappiness with her now was worse than his disappointment.
    "You should've called us, dipshit,” Reed chastised.
    Kole snorted. “It was late. I thought you'd all be asleep, and I wasn't in serious condition, so why bother?"
    She peeked up at him under her lashes. His gaze was on Reed, and she'd never felt so ignored. She yearned for him to look at her, offer a glance of the appreciation that she'd seen tonight, and his refusal made her throat tight.
    "All right.” Reed stood. “Marley will drive your car home. Then I'll come back in the morning to get you."
    Kole reached into his pocket, took out his keys, then handed them to Marley. “I parked in the far left corner of the parking lot. Wreck my baby and there'll be hell to pay."
    "I'll drive carefully, and I'm glad to see you in one piece.” Marley turned on her heels and started toward the door. She gave Bella a knowing look and whispered, “You, my friend, have pissed him off."
    "Yeah, no shit."
    Marley patted her shoulder and offered a kind smile. “Don't worry. His reaction tells me your concerns are for nothing."
    "Which means?"
    "He wouldn't punish you like that if he didn't care."
    "Punish?"
    Marley laughed under her breath and gave her a quick hug. “I'll wait for you in the hallway. Just don't go Bella on him and you'll do fine.” Then, she left the room, leaving Bella to focus back on the men.
    Reed squeezed Kole's shoulder, spoke in a soft voice. “Had me worried there, man."
    "Got a bad headache, is all. Just added decoration to the black eye you already gave me.” He closed his eyes and grunted. “Come as soon as you get up. I want out of this place ASAP."
    "Sure.” Reed turned away from the bed,