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longer. Damn him. He’s ruined our evening.” Bella pressed her face against his chest.
    “Your father cannot ruin our evening, Chérie .” He tilted up her chin and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “Our evening has only just begun.”

Chapter Four
    E tienne slid a CD into the console, and the car’s darkened interior filled with intricate melodies.
    Bella leaned back, feeling the warm leather of the car seat against her bare shoulders, and stared out at the fast-moving view from the window. The town was dark now, shadowy figures on the street dimly lit by the street lights. The engine’s powerful rumble faded as she gazed at the thin sliver of moon. Etienne had taken on her father.
    While she wobbled like a lamb and let him fight her battles. When would she stop being intimidated by her father’s bullying bluster and stand up for herself? Bella hands gripped the warm leather seat. This latest confrontation proved she was still as weak as ever when faced with squaring off against her formidable father. That she hadn’t progressed an inch since the day she’d refused Brian and fought with her father about her decision. She’d calmly explained the relationship was over. And that she wanted to start her own business. Live an independent life.
    Her furious father rained down insults on her bowed head. Amongst the spitting vitriol, she registered the words stupid and reckless. And then he called in reinforcements in the guise of her mother.
    In calm, clear tones, her mother explained that really, Bella wouldn’t be any good at business. And that she didn’t need to work anyway. She spelled out in no uncertain terms how no daughter of hers ever needed to work, with a curl of her upper lip which telegraphed her distaste at the mere idea. If that wasn’t bad enough, her mother continued with a smile, “You’re a good looking girl, and with your pedigree, you’ll make a good marriage.”
    Bella had never been so insulted in her entire life. She’d known her father thought of her as a chattel to be traded, but her mother treating her like...like a brood mare stung and burned a hole in her heart. She barely focused on the words that came after, until the moment her mother suggested she reconsider breaking up with Brian. Then, a cold shard of ice froze her heart. And it hadn’t melted since. The fact her parents had never supported her hurt. But nothing would deter Bella from chasing her dream.
    Face-to-face confrontations were another matter. To her annoyance, at the concert she’d shivered in the face of her father’s anger and had been reduced to a quivering wreck.
    Perhaps if Etienne had stayed silent at her side, she could have found the strength to be brave. But Etienne had sprung to her defense. And once again, she’d let a man take over. She tilted her head, ran her fingers over the emerald crystals of her drop earrings, and peeked over at Etienne.
    His tanned hands held the wheel in an easy grip as he steered the powerful car through the building traffic, his entire attention on the road ahead.
    Dropping her hand to her lap, Bella closed her eyes.
    Marie had said Etienne and Brian were different, but Brian had started off being masterful and, when faced with no resistance, had completely dominated their relationship.
    They ate where he wanted. Went where he wanted. Even listened to music in the car he selected. When he told her what she should wear and dictated who she could see, she realized he considered her nothing but a mannequin. Arm candy. No opinions required or tolerated.
    After the breakup, the intimidation continued. And when fear of what he might do forced her to give up her apartment, she’d hidden behind her sister. The experience had been so demoralizing she never thought she’d find the courage to face a bully again. Shame flooded her at the memory.
    The BMW slowed and came to a stop outside Celebrate.
    Etienne twisted a dial and the music faded into silence.
    “I had a lovely