Page 3 of Our Darling Isabelle

I slowly unlock my door and crack it open, just enough to peek out into the living room. My mother walks up to a tall man with shaggy black hair. When he turns to look down at her, his bright smile isn’t friendly, but she seems oblivious. Tattoos cover his neck and the skin of his forearms that continue beneath his rolled-up sleeves, and I find my eyes searching to decipher each one.

“So, Marlene,” He purrs as she hands him a glass of water.

“You can call me Marley, sweetheart.” She pushes up against him. He chuckles and sets his glass down before stepping away from her.

“You really enjoy the casino, don’t you?” He asks. His voice has lost its softness and goosebumps cover my skin.

“Well, I go on the rare occasion.” She says, still trying to seduce him. She sits on the couch and leans back with her legs spread. It’s like a train wreck and I can’t wrench my gaze away.

“I’d say more often than that. Here’s the thing, Marlene.” He pulls his phone out and scrolls through it before towering over her and showing her the screen. “According to this, you owe the Cassidy Casino half a million dollars.” His lips curve into a cruel smile and my mother stutters nervously.

“I don’t- I mean, I can’t- I don’t have that much money,” she snaps at him. He pushes his jacket aside to show the gun tucked into his waistband, and she jumps up onto unsteady feet. He just shoves her back down and makes a tsk sound.

“Well, the owners won’t be very happy with that answer. I don’t plan to go back empty-handed either.” He warns her. I hold my breath, fear freezing me to the spot. I can’t do anything but watch as she slides off the couch to her knees, begging.

“Just give me a few days. I can figure it out!” She is sobbing now. His lip curls up in disgust as he looks down at her.

“I know somebody who can help. He has a lot of money, please.” She begs again. He sighs and taps his jaw while leisurely pacing the living room. He’s tall and broad, his muscles making the dress shirt he wears strain at the seams. I’m almost ashamed to admit the flush of desire that soars through my core at how handsome he is, in a murderous stalker kind of way.

“You have three days. No more than that, understood?” He drops a card on the ground in front of her.

“Call this number and I’ll find you for pickup.” He snarls before stepping over her. I lean too far into the door and it creaks audibly. His vision snaps to mine and my eyes widen as he gets a predatory smile. He licks his lips and tilts his head, considering me without speaking. I take a deep breath to put on my bravest face and swing the door open the rest of the way, stepping out.

“Get out.” My voice is steady, but my hands are shaking. I’m such an idiot and should have just shut my door and let him leave. He looks down to my clenched fists, one still gripping my bat, then drags his eyes up my body slowly. My face burns as I realize I’m standing here with no pants and just an oversized shirt. I tell myself it’s the cool air that makes my nipples pebble against the rough fabric while his eyes consume me.

“Aren’t you a real spitfire?” He smiles and steps towards me. I stagger back and pick the bat up, ready to swing.

“Get out and leave my mother alone. We will get you your money.” I squeak out, my voice betraying the fear I feel. From the edge of my vision, I watch my mother crawl away before getting up and running out the door. Groaning, I roll my eyes. I’m not surprised she created this mess, then took off like a coward.

“She’s a real bitch, isn’t she? Leaving such a soft little kitten here all alone.” He walks right up to me and I swing the bat as hard as I can. A loud crack echoes down the hallway as he catches the bat in his hand easily. A tattoo of a skeleton hand is visible on the back of his hand, but my gaze is drawn to the spiderweb tattoo on his throat. I feel as if I’m the fly trapped in his web, unable to look away as I struggle to control my breathing.

“That actually stung. I’m impressed.” His green eyes burn into mine and I’m frozen under his gaze. Goosebumps snake up my legs, but not from fear. Tobacco and spice hits me, fanning the flames of desire and shame. He leans close to me, taking a deep breath through his nose and groaning.

“You smell delicious. I think oranges are my new favorite fruit.” He whispers. I hiss in a breath and close my eyes to talk myself down from the thoughts that have crept into my head. This man threatened my mom’s life and an air of danger emanates from his entire being. His chuckle comes from across the room and my eyes fly open just in time to watch him blow me a kiss over his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon, kitten.” He says while walking out.

After a full minute of trying to remember how to move, I run to the door, closing it and slamming the lock in place. Turning to lean my back against the door, I slide down to sit on the floor. Tears burn as they fill my eyes and I bury my face in my hands. There is no way we will get their money in time. She has finally screwed us up completely this time. Now our lives are in danger. To top it off, my mother ran away and left me to fight her battles. Angrily swatting away my tears, I stand up, dragging myself back to bed. I pick up my bat on the way and hold it close to me all night.

Chapter 4—Isabelle

My phone alarm wakes me from what little sleep I could get. The bat falls off the bed and bounces off the floor, making me jump as the sound fills my small room. I blow out a frustrated breath and grab a pair of sweats, yanking them on before shuffling out of my room. Just to be safe I double check the door is still locked and breathe a little easier when it is.

Until I walk into the kitchen and a note is folded neatly on the counter. ‘Izzy’ is scrawled across it hastily in my mom’s shaky writing. I unfold it, holding my breath as I read her sloppy note. It is so much like every other time she has disappeared and left me with her problems.

‘I’m so sorry I have to leave like this, but you are a strong girl. You’ll be just fine. You need to pack up and get out of here, too. It isn’t safe anymore. Mom.’

I crumple the note and throw it at the wall, letting my anger surface. The friendships I made and the job I worked so hard at were all for nothing now. This is the longest I have lived in one place at a time. As a child, we had to skip around a lot because of my mom’s problems. She couldn’t hold a job, stay sober or keep a steady relationship.

Now I have to pack up and find a new place to call home. “Fuck you,” I mumble under my breath, and I storm back into my room, throwing on jeans and a t-shirt. I snatch my keys off the hook by the front door, slamming it on my way out just to make myself feel better.

As I drive to the store to pick up boxes, my phone rings. I pick it up and as soon as I swipe the screen to answer, Aden has already started talking.

“I figured you would still be asleep. What are our plans for today?” His voice is full of positivity and for a moment, I consider telling him everything that happened. I stall on answering.

“Hello? Izzy, you there?” He asks.

“Sorry, I got distracted. I’ve got to run a few errands.”

“Do you want to grab lunch or something? I’ll pay.”

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