Page 44 of Isabela

Grabbing my charger, I stick it into my duffel bag before nodding. “Okay, I’m ready to go,” I tell him decisively. “Do you have a plan?”

“Yes, but we need to go see someone first,” he says, taking my bag and leading the way to the front door. “After that, your residence will change to mine and we’re going to take steps to help you reclaim some of your power. This shit with your uncle is over as of now. You’re a person, not a possession, and he isn’t going to trade you to his buddies like fucking Pokémon cards, Isa.”

My lips curve at his words. Gael is getting super worked up, and it feels nice to have someone not only stand in my corner, but insist that I make more room for him. This man is a damn force of nature. His big dick energy would normally piss me off.

Gael has the dick to back him up on this, so I’ll let it slide this time.

“Why are you smiling?” he asks, opening the door for me.

“It’s just… you’re so you,” I giggle. Thankfully, it’s not as hysterical as I worried it would be, but his brow still furrows.

“Have you eaten today, Isa?” Gael asks as he follows me out, motioning for me to lock the door.

“No, Daddy,” I say before I realize it. Freezing, I look up at him in shock. He’s so dominant and pushy, I can see why Aria calls him that, even outside of their kinky sex stuff.

Gael moves before I can process it, caging my body with his as he tips my head back and kisses me. My body seems to vibrate with the range of emotions I’ve been feeling, and I curl my fingers into the fabric of his plaid button up. He nips my lips, teasing them to open before he groans softly.

“We are going to make sure you eat now. Don’t think I didn’t notice that you’ve lost weight. I fucking see everything, Isa. I just wish I had understood more before now,” he says, his breath hitching. “The signs were all there that you were being abused, I just couldn’t believe it was happening.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him with a shrug, turning in the safety of his arms to lock up. “My freshman year, my uncle beat me so badly I almost died. I prayed for it, actually. I didn’t go to the hospital then either, and I learned to hide everything that was going on really well.”

Turning with the key in hand, I wait to see the pity that inevitably comes with abuse. That’s what people are supposed to do, right? Pity you because you’re the poor, stupid girl who let someone bully you into this predicament.

It’s how I feel, even if I shouldn’t. I never imagined this would be my life, but it is.

“Why are you doing that?” Gael asks, taking my hand in his. Walking with me, he shakes his head. “I’m not going to yell at you for being afraid to go to the hospital. Whatever you feel, is valid and important. There’s no point in trying to change the past, even though I wish I’d somehow known you as a freshman. I came to Hoyt University the year after.”

I squeeze his fingers as we make our descent down the stairs, thinking about his words.

“I think I’m very used to you picking apart my decisions,” I say carefully. “This between us? I don’t know what to do with this.”

Gael swallows hard as he nods. “I can see that. I don’t think I’ve ever apologized to anyone but my wife before, because I very rarely make a mistake,” he says. It’s said with such conviction that it surprises a smile out of me.

God, Aria has her hands full with this one. “I need to preface my next words, because I need you to understand how unprecedented they are. I was very wrong about you, and I’m so sorry, Isa.”

I stumble as I step off the last stair, eyes wide.

“Is it so surprising that I’d apologize?” he asks with a mischievous grin.

“Uh, yes it is, Dr. Murphy,” I tell Gael, rolling my eyes as someone walks into the apartment building. I recognize the guy as a student at the university and pull my hand away from Gael. Inclining my head toward the student, I begin walking again and he follows.

“I don’t care what other people think, for the record,” he rumbles with his lips to my ear as we walk. “I fuck Aria loudly in my office at least once a week.”

I shake my head at their antics, taking a deep breath of fresh air as we walk outside. My eyes find the cars of the men who follow me, and it appears as if the four of them are napping. Well then.

“She’s your wife,” I remind him. “I’m no one. You should pay attention to your reputation.”

“Isabela, my reputation doesn’t mean shit to me,” he grunts, taking my elbow to turn me in the direction of his car. “My position at the school is a cover for recruiting new members into the Society. I just so happen to enjoy teaching Ancient Civilization. If you don’t want to hold my hand, that’s another situation entirely, baby.”

Blowing out a breath, I try to figure out how this conversation got so turned around. “Pardon?” I ask incredulously. “I don’t understand how this became about me. I’m worried about you doing whatever this is with me as a professor at my school.”

Opening the truck door, Gael walks me to the passenger side door. Lips pursed, he opens it, pulling me into the shelter of his arms.

“Hmmm, I see. It’s true, yesterday was supposed to be one night. I can see how you would be confused about my feelings, since we haven’t had a chance to discuss them. Aria and I will be talking about this more when we’re done with our errand, but let me make one thing very clear. You’ve been under my skin for months, and now that I’ve had a taste, I need more,” he says softly.

His words rumble through me as he palms my cheek. My breaths pant as I blink up at him, trying to process his words.

“Gael,” I say in shock.

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