Page 117 of Isabela

“It feels so overwhelming,” I murmur.

“The best things are, Isa,” Aria says. “Can we go home yet?”

“Please?” I add.

Smirking, Gael hits the nurses button. “Let’s bust you out of here, shall we?”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

ARIA

Gael smirks at me as we drive, and I swear he’s up to something. It’s been two weeks since Isabela got out of the hospital, and she’s back to work and feeling better.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Gael asks with a chuckle. “We’re just going to see the publishing company I invested in.”

“You look guilty is all,” I say airily. I feel out of sorts, because I broke my contract two days ago with my publisher and fired my agent. Neither have my best interests in mind, and I’m finally coming to terms with that.

Thankfully, the rights to my work in progress are mine, so I can write it however I want. Maybe I’ll go the indie publishing route again. I did it once, I can do it again.

“You look like you’re thinking too hard,” he teases me. Smart ass. “I figured you’d want to tour the new company with me, especially since I’ve been researching how all of this works.”

I don’t know where Gael finds the time for this when he’s so busy with the Society. He finished up his summer course, at least, so he’s been enjoying waking Isabela and I with his tongue and cock.

Shivering despite the warm summer air, I look out the window as Gael turns into the parking lot.

“Ready, baby?” he asks, parking the truck and turning off the engine.

I have to say that I’m excited to see the Lafferty Publishing House, mainly because they enjoy taking an assortment of authors I wouldn’t think they would. Gael jumps out of the truck before coming around to open my door. My husband is up to something. He’s practically vibrating with energy.

“Let’s do it,” I say with a grin, looking up at him as I climb down. His energy is infectious, and he continues to hold my hand as he locks up the vehicle.

The building is made of brick, and it’s on a fairly quiet street on the outskirts of Phoenix. My excitement continues to grow as I walk in the front door with Gael.

“Hi, Dr. Murphy,” the front desk manager says with a grin. “I’m Tracy, and I’m going to show you around. Mr. Hale is around here somewhere. I’m sure we’ll bump into him as we walk.”

“That’s perfectly fine,” he says. “This is my wife, Aria. She’s along for the ride. I wanted to show her the new business we’re investing in, and see if she has any tips for me, since she’s an author as well.”

Tracy grins as she buzzes us into the main building. It’s nice to see the security in place, and I wonder who set it up. This is what happens when you’re married to a Society member, you question everything.

“What do you write, Aria?” she asks.

“I write dark mafia reverse harem,” I tell her, waiting for the questions that usually come.

“Really!” Tracy gushes. “We’ve had a lot of authors leave with the recent issues we’ve been having. Mr. Hale’s nephew is a douche-canoe, which is why we’ve been having such financial issues. He’s been poaching our clients.”

Oh. My husband is a softie at heart, though a smart businessman. It makes sense to me why he decided to invest in this place. It’s busy despite authors having left, and people are scurrying around getting things done.

“I hope you’re able to find new authors that are more loyal,” Gael says. “It’s sad that people would believe the rumors about Mr. Hale.”

“It really is,” Tracy sighs. “I love mafia romance, the darker the better.”

My smile is genuine as she says this, because I do too. The more I see, the more I fall in love with this place to be honest.

“Dr. Murphy!” an older man with salt and pepper hair calls out. He’s wearing a suit, and looks well at home here.

“Hello, Mr. Hale,” Gael says with a grin. “I brought my wife, so you can tempt her with a place here.”

Yep, my husband isn’t as sneaky as he thinks he is.

---