Page 139 of Dust to Dust

Although I wanted to burst into Isla’s room and drag her into my arms, I carefully eased the door open. When I stepped inside, Isla was staring ahead.

“Little Dove?” I questioned.

Her attention snapped to me. While I expected tears or even anger, I wasn’t prepared for the emotionless way she regarded me. Slowly, I made my way to her side. I knelt down beside the bed. “I’m so very, very sorry.”

“He didn’t rape me if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I know. The doctor told me.”

“He didn’t even threaten to rape me.”

“He didn’t?”

She shook her head. “He killed one of the men who tried to.”

A low growl came from within me at the thought of any man attempting that. “I never imagined Mikita had a heart.”

“His mother committed suicide after she was gang raped during an abduction.”

Jaysus. I knew Mikita’s father had been a widower, but I’d always heard he’d lost his wife to illness, which it was in a way.

My eyes shuttered in pain. “I would give anything in the world if I could turn back the clock twenty-four hours. I would never let you out of my sight.”

“I know you think you can always protect me, Quinn, but it’s very evident that you can’t.”

“That’s not true.”

She shook her head. “Deep down, you know it is. Your enemies will always find a chink in your armour, and I’ll be the one to pay for it. But I can’t let it happen again.”

An icy fear prickled its way up my spine. “What are you saying?”

“I can’t see you anymore.”

“No, Isla. Please don’t say that.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s how I feel. It’s been made very evident how unsafe your world is for me.”

“Don’t do this,” I pleaded.

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You know I have no choice.”

“Yes, you do. You can fucking choose to stay with me and us make a life together.” A shaky smile formed on my lips. “You can be a mad scientist just like you planned. We’ll get a house of our own, or I’ll get one big enough for Brooke and Henry. It’s whatever you want.” I squeezed her hand. “Just please don’t leave me.”

A sob tore through her chest. When I reached to take her into my arms, she smacked me away. “No, no, no!”

“Isla–”

“You—your life, your world—broke me. I’ve got nothing left.” She swiped her eyes with her sleeve.

“I’ll take whatever you can give me. I’ll work night and day to earn your trust back. I’ll move mountains to ensure you feel safe and protected.”

“What little I have isn’t for you. Brooke and Henry are my world. They rely on me?—”

“They can rely on me just as you can. They’re at my house right now being watched over by Owen.”

“Why isn’t Brooke here with you?”

I sucked in a ragged breath. “She wasn’t in any shape to come.”

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