Page 33 of Our Darling Isabelle

“Why haven’t you told me?” I ask. Aden steps forward, sitting beside me.

“Izzy, they took you as property to pay off a debt. They kept you locked away. Dalia told me that one of their hundreds of enemies kidnapped you and held a gun to your head. You had to fight back and were in a fuckin’ car accident.” His voice is strained.

“I almost lost you permanently.” He whispers. I can see the fear in his eyes. Aden was genuinely afraid I would die in their hands. My heart aches for my friend and I hug him tight, surprising him before his arms wrap around me possessively.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” I whisper. He chuckles, but the sound of glass breaking makes us jump, Aden pushing me behind him protectively. My father is fuming, his water glass shattered in his palm. Red specks drip to the table as a woman comes rushing to him with a towel, copper stinging the air as I watch in horror.

“Tell me everything,” he says through clenched teeth, his eyes burning with fire.

“I may have decided to let you tell him about that.” Aden gives me a guilty look. I drop into my chair, blowing out a breath and feeling like a teenager that got caught sneaking out.

Chapter 25—Alec

Iflip through the pages again, as if things will change and something interesting will pop out at me. Steffen got out of that building but he must have run off to hide like a coward because we haven’t heard a peep about him. When we went back, we found out that someone had cleaned out his warehouses and flattened the abandoned building a few days later. Markus has been losing control of himself a little more every day without her.

If I was being honest with myself, then I’d admit the only reason I buried myself in work was to keep my mind off her. But avoidance worked for me. Even if I still carried those purple panties in my pocket everywhere I went.

Markus knocks on the open door, walking in to drop into the chair in front of me. His black button-up shirt is torn open with the sleeve ripped at the shoulder, cheek bright red, and an unhinged smile on his face. I sit back and hold my hand up, tossing back the last of the whiskey in the glass before slamming it back onto my desk and raising my brows at him.

“Go on, out with it.” My voice is a hollow with no emotion.

“You’re coming with me. I have a gift for the new princess Kane.” He grins again and I shake my head, already shooting it down.

“I don’t give a shit what you think you’re doing. Leave her be. She is right where she belongs.” I say, standing up and stomping over to the window overlooking the garden. Mimi was still replanting flowers. Watching her work alone again felt wrong as I searched for the woman I knew wasn’t there. Yet every day I found myself longing for her.

“You are wrong, she belongs here with us,” Markus challenges. I turn to face him, and he stands up, swiping the papers off my desk. I just close my eyes and draw in a slow breath to restrain myself from leaping over the desk to attack him.

“You spend hours in the gym or buried in this shit. To distract yourself because all you can think about is burying your cock inside of her, no matter how hard you try not to.” He sneers. In three quick strides, I step up to him and jab my finger into his chest.

“You are only standing because you’re my brother. Watch your mouth before I forget who you are.” I warn him, my hand shaking. He just smiles and the next moment his fist connects with my jaw, making me stagger sideways in shock. We’ve had our brawls in the past, but I can’t remember the last time my brother punched me. Pain blooms on the side of my face, unlocking a beast I have fought so hard to contain.

I grabbed the front of his already ripped shirt and slammed him onto the ground with a cry of rage, knocking the air from his lungs and tearing his shirt further. Jared curses, running into the room to yank us apart and stand between us with his hands out.

“This has to stop. You both are always arguing or sulking and I’m not sure how much more of this any of us can take.” He yells, exasperated.

“Then leave.” I spit the words, turning away and rubbing my tender jaw.

“You’re gonna get in that car and see what the Hell your brother dragged home unless you want him losing control on Lucian’s doorstep.” Jared warns me, knowing exactly what to say to get me to snatch my gun out of the desk drawer, spinning to see Markus smiling at me.

“Let’s go give our princess the one gift she wants most.” He turns and nearly runs out the door.

“Well, fuck.” I say under my breath.

Isabelle

I stand with my shoulders straight and chin tilted up, mostly because my father is so much taller than I am, but also because I’m pissed.

“You don’t get to demand shit.” I hiss the words, swatting Aden’s hand away when he reaches for me. Violence had become my first nature, and I was in no mood for his constant hovering. The only men I wanted to touch me would never forgive me for turning my back on them.

“Watch your mouth, girl. Aden would make a fine husband and until you agree, you aren’t leaving this house for your own safety.” My father’s face reddens, his own anger matching mine.

“I’m a grown-up! That means I can fuck whoever I want!” I shout back at him, just to push his buttons, and it works. His brows draw tighter, and he leans closer to me.

“You will go to your room until you can act like the adult you claim to be.” He clenches his jaw and I laugh in his face, grabbing Aden’s arm and walking backwards.

“Sure thing. Let’s go to our room, Aden.” I coon the words, and Aden plants his feet, his face turning red as my father storms to block the stairs. I’m being unfair, but so is he. Demanding I marry Aden to keep me from running back to the Barone’s is ridiculous. Alec doesn’t want me anyway and I know I could never just love one of them. It’s both or nothing for me.

“I am only doing what is best for you, Isabelle.” My father throws his arms wide in exasperation. I cross my arms, shaking my head.

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