Page 1 of Our Darling Isabelle

Chapter 1—Isabelle

Iroll my eyes as my phone vibrates across the bar top. “Okay Izzy, that is the third time your mom has called in the past ten minutes.” Aden chastises me as I snatched my cell up and silence it again. He pins me with a glare, his blue eyes dim under the fluorescent lights.

“I know that, but I’ve worked six doubles in a row and I’m exhausted. She is probably just drunk and out of her cheap liquor. That stuff tastes like shit. I don’t know how she drinks it.” I say in a disgusted tone, yanking my hair from its bun and massaging my tender scalp. Aden gives me a sympathetic smile as we walk out of the restaurant and stops to lock the door behind us.

“You know you didn’t have to stay behind and wait for me, right?” He asks me. I link my arm through his and smile while reaching up and ruffling his dark blonde hair.

“Yeah, but you stood up to Dan when he was grilling me for not picking up a shift tomorrow. I kind of owed you.” We stopped between our cars, and I stare up at the stars lighting the sky.

“I really wish there was more than this, working my ass off as a server and bartender just to take care of my mother.” I mumble before tucking a long, black strand of hair behind my ear.

“Well, I wish your mother knew how lucky she was to have you.” Aden hesitates before sighing and giving me a pitying look. “You have to stop forgiving her for all the shit she pulls. The drugs, drinking and gambling away all her money and yours too.” He walks around his truck and opens the driver’s side door.

“Don’t start that again, Aden. She’s my mom and the only family I have.” My words come out harsher than I intended, but I’m too tired to feel bad. Aden just shakes his head at me and points to my door.

“Get in your car, go home and get some sleep, Izzy.” He winks at me before shutting his door. I climb in and lock the doors. Taking a deep breath, I pull out my cellphone and scroll through the missed calls.

Aden was wrong about one thing; I never really forgave her for what she was doing. Marlene had ruined my life more when I couldn’t keep an eye on her. My first year away at college, she took out multiple credit cards in my name, maxed them out and stuck me with the bill. As the debt piled on, I had to drop out and take on a full-time job just to keep her from living on the streets. It was safer to keep her where I could watch her and do my best to keep us from drowning in debt.

Most days I’m grateful my drive home was a short one, today was not one of them. Looking up as I climb out of my car, I can see my mother’s silhouette pacing upstairs. It looks like she has every light on in the entire apartment. Apparently, she works for the electric company. I snort at my own thoughts as I climb the stairs to the second-floor apartment we share. Before I can even put my key in the lock, the door is yanked open in front of me.

“There you are! I was worried sick!” My mother shouts at me before taking my arm and jerking me inside.

“What is going on?” I can’t hide the annoyance in my tone as I stumble in. She shuts the door behind me and locks it.

“What, I can’t be worried about my daughter when she ignores my calls all night? Isabelle, it is nearly two in the morning!” She chastises me while smoothing back her dark brown hair. It’s then I realize she has not only cleaned up the apartment, but she is also wearing a nice black dress that hugs all of her curves. Her hair is smoothed back into a high pony and her blue eyes seem brighter with the smoky shadow she has on. It’s a stark contrast to the dirty pajamas I see her in nearly every day.

“Were you at the casino again?” I asked her.

“Don’t you start with me, girl. I can take care of myself. Plus, I met a very handsome man while I was there. Tall, dark and rich.” She cackles as she walks towards the kitchen. I kick my shoes onto the shelf by the door and drop my bag after making sure I tucked my wallet under my shirt in my waistband. Marlene Thorn only cares about one person, and that’s herself. If she was worried about me, it’s because she needs something.

“Wonder how much you blew this time, and where did the money come from in the first place?” I mumble under my breath as I walk towards the hallway.

“I did pretty well, if you’re wondering!” She calls in a singsong voice from the kitchen. Without responding, I roll my eyes and kick my bedroom door shut behind me. I dig my stack of tips from my pocket and drop onto my knees to peek under my bed. As quietly as possible, I drag the safe out and punch in my code. The door pops open and I grab out my thick envelope, tucking the money away with the rest.

Nearly three thousand now. I’m so close to being able to get out of here and start over. My mom’s feet shuffle down the hallway and I slam the safe shut before kicking it back under my bed just as she barges in.

“What are you doing on the floor?” She scoffs at me.

“Doing yoga. What do you want?” I ask, too exhausted to argue.

“Well, you need to get up because I’m going back out and I need you to drive me. Maybe change your clothes first.” She turns her nose up at me. I watch as she digs a flask from her clutch and takes a swig before looking at me expectantly.

“Just get an Uber, mom. I need sleep because some people have to work to pay their bills.” I snap before thinking.

Whack. I cover my stinging cheek as she shakes her hand. The look on her face is dripping with disgust.

“You will regret the way you speak to me, girl.” She storms out, slamming my door so hard it rattles on the hinges. I hold my breath until I hear the front door follow her exit with just as much force. Angry tears burn the back of my throat, but I keep them at bay as I lock the front door before heading for the shower.

Chapter 2—Alec

Irub my temples, trying to push away the rising headache. Just a moment ago, I was gazing out the window, deep in thought, when Jared appeared in my office after checking our finances.

“Are you certain they are this deep into debt to us?” I ask calmly. Smoothing the black hair on top of my hair, I lock my fingers behind my head as I lean back and regard Jared with a blank face.

“I made sure I checked the accounts multiple times. I know it isn’t my place, but it seems the people have forgotten they should be afraid of the Barone family.” Jared leans back in the leather chair and stretches his neck from side to side. I watch as a drop of condensation trails down the side of my glass before I grab it and down the whiskey in one swig.

“You’re right. It’s time we track down the people with the largest of the debts and remind them we still run this town, even if my father is dead.” I push back from the desk to stand and loosen my tie. Jared jumps up and follows me out the door of my office. He has to duck his tall frame to fit through the doorway. I’m six foot three and barely fit through without ducking, Jared is easily five inches taller than me, so he struggles in our house.

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