The search for paradise

Chapter 8

Scade's point of view:

I hear Bella's piercing scream ring in my ears. I drop the phone and sprint into the shop. "Give me all your money and you can have the girl," the man smirked. I narrow my eyes at him, ablaze.
"You don't want to mess with me," I snarled, fiery sparks darting from my eyes. And I had leapt on him, freeing Bella as she gasped for air and forcing the man into a headlock. But the man didn't struggle. "Hello Scade Byatt." The man smiled.
"What?" I demanded in shock.
"I'm your father's friend."
"I thought you said your father was dead," Bella questioned. I cursed the man for that. Now I'd have to tell Bella the truth and even worse, confess that I'd lied to her.
"No, his father is very much alive," the man smiled. "Don't you remember me, Scade? I'm Barnabus Cook."
"Never," I whisper.
"Oh yes."
"But you- you died!"
"My death was greatly exaggerated. Faked."
"You liar," I hissed. "Do you have any idea what my dad went through?"
"Oh, he was in on it too. Just an incredible actor. Isn't that a shock?"
"Scade, what's going on?" Bella inquired with anxiety.
"Hasn't he told you? Aww, don't worry sweetheart, Scade is very mysterious."
"What? Scade, what's he talking about?"
I swallowed hard, inhaling sharply. "Nothing. Don't listen to him, Bella. He's lying."
"No I'm not. What story did he tell you this time? The run away one? The cancer one? The shed one?"
Bella blinked in surprise.
"Ah, the shed. That's his favorite."
"Shut up!" I growled. "Don't listen to him Bella, he's a liar!"
"Yes. Want to know the truth? He's getting the money to stop the mafia from killing his cousin and he's trying to buy his brother out of jail."
"You lied to me?" Bella asked softly. I took  breath.
"Bella, I'm so sorry, I-"
"Don't talk to me," she said icily.
"But-"
"Don't!" She shot a daggers glare at me and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
"You big-mouthed idiot," I hiss at Barnabus, and run after Bella. I hear him chuckle behind me but I make to effort to encourage him even more.
"Bella!" I shout. "Bella!" I catch up with her and grab her elbow, spinning her around so she's looking at me. "Bella."
"I can't believe you," she whispered.
"I- I know I shouldn't have but-"
"If you knew, why did you?" she asked stonily, the warmth in her eyes gone, replaced with a cold, hard stare. She started to walk off but I grabbed her arm again. "Please."
She looked at me with distrust and disgust, but then her revolted expression disappeared. "Fine," she spit reluctantly. "Just get this ransom over with."