Page 34 of Our Darling Isabelle

“The best thing you can do for me is let me be free. I just sat there and told you how my mother treated me as I grew up. I went from that to being kept a prisoner in the Barone’s house, who don’t even want me anymore! Your first thought is to tie me down to somebody so I can’t leave. All I want is freedom.” I cry. No matter how hard I fight it, the tears break free and fall down my cheeks.

“Didn’t know being married to me was such a ‘ball and chain’ type of thing.” Aden jokes, giving me a tight smile. It doesn’t ease my tension, but I know this isn’t entirely his fault, and he’s being cornered, just as I am.

“It’s not fair to you either.” My voice breaks as I wipe the furious tears away, just for more to fall.

“Not really. I suggested myself because I thought you would give me a chance. Guess I should have kidnapped you first, huh?” He chuckles and guilt bites at my heart because I don’t feel anything for him. My soul knows it will never be content with anyone but my demons.

“Aden.” My voice breaks and he smiles, but it’s hesitant as he wraps an arm around me and kisses the top of my head.

“Look, no matter what, I’m always gonna be here for you.” he says and my father sighs, stepping forward to pull me into a hug.

“I’m sorry, princess. If you grew up in this world, you would know that, typically, the parents make wedding plans to build and strengthen territories and alliances. My parents let me choose and look how that turned out.” His voice is remorseful as he speaks against the top of my head.

“I just want you to be safe and where I can keep a close eye on you. The idea of anyone else taking you away again scares me.” His voice is so low I can barely hear him, but I hug him back, burying my face in his chest and inhaling the smell of his cologne. Could I really stay here, give my life to this world and accept a husband that I may never come to love?

“We have guests.” Vincent says, answering his phone and using his cane to walk towards the front door. I wipe my face and try to straighten my clothes.

“Just do me a favor and consider it. When I announce that I not only have an heir, but that you’re a beautiful and unwed young lady, things will get complicated. Families will demand the opportunity to court you and we can only deter them for so long until tension becomes war. There are dangerous people in our world who will do everything to get to you and the power you have, ones who won’t treat you kindly like Aden would.” He says.

“Like my mother?” I say and he chuckles, patting my cheek gently and nodding.

“Some even worse than her.” He sighs, straightening his dress jacket and nodding for Aden to step up beside me. He puts his hand on my back and I tuck into his side, finally letting myself find comfort. My mind wonders as I imagine a different body pressed to mine. Alec with his soft smiles he reserved for me. Markus and the way the light lit up his bright green eyes.

Vincent waves for a guard to open the door and Aden wraps an arm around me, leaning over to whisper.

“We’d make cute babies, if they looked like me.” He wiggles his brows, I fake gag as I smack at his chest. His entire body tenses and I peer past my father, to lock eyes on the one person who had ruined everything.

My throat tightens, and I struggle to say “Mother”.

Chapter 26—Markus

Isabelle looks incredible. The swelling on her face is gone, yellowing bruises make her eyes look even more fierce and all I can imagine is crushing her lips under mine until she melts in my hands. After I rip her out of the arms of that cocky Aden. I make it one step before Alec grabs my arm and shakes his head once, warning me. Vincent points his cane at me and gives me a serious look.

“That’s my son. Slow down, boy.” He speaks. I tear my eyes away from Isabelle long enough to nod my head in a show of respect for Lucian. Alec steps forward and holds his hand out, but Lucian looks down at it as if he’s deciding to crush it or shake it.

“Papa.” Isabelle admonishes her father, and he shakes himself, gripping Alec’s hand in his own and giving a tight nod.

“Why did you bring her here?” Isabelle asks, trying to step forward, but Aden grabs her around the waist and my hand twitches. I want to break every bone in his hand for putting them on my girl.

“Get your hands off her.” I say through bared teeth. Aden snorts, curling his lip as he looks me over.

“She’s not your problem anymore, Barone.” Aden says, his face smug as he pulls her back against his chest. She bites her lip, looking at me and Alec with so much emotion it nearly brings me to my knees.

“Belle.” I plead. She points at Marlene again, who Jared is holding in his arms, limp and gagged.

“I figured you were having trouble finding her. She was hiding in Rapid Falls. She’s conniving and smart enough to stay out of your territory.” I say to Lucian, not taking my eyes off Isabelle. She fidgets nervously as I drag my eyes down her body, my gaze burning through her clothes in my mind.

“You want her or not?” Alec asks. Lucian nods for one of his men to take her and Isabelle steps forward, her hand reaching for me a moment before letting it fall to her side when she looks over at Alec. He’s purposely not looking at her, playing at stoic and I roll my eyes.

“What happened to you?” Isabelle asks, her voice wavering and I can see she’s been crying. I chuckle and scratch the back of my head.

“Your mom put up more of a fight than I thought she would. And this guy didn’t want to come see you, so he may have roughed me up a bit when I mentioned him missing you and that pretty little pussy.” I shrug.

“Jesus Christ.” Alec hisses under his breath. Isabelle’s face turns red, and I have to dance back when Lucian lunges for me.

“Get off my property or I’ll kill you.” He threatens me, but all I want to do is run to her. Alec grabs the collar of my shirt and jerks me away, heading towards the car without hesitating.

“She looked pretty fucking cozy already with her new toy.” He sneers, and Isabelle scoffs, hearing him even though he lowered his voice. I hear a scuffle and see Aden drop with a groan, clutching his crotch as she darts around her father and stomps her little bare feet right up to us. Alec puts his hands in his pockets, looking over the top of her head as if she wasn’t there at all. Vincent has his hand on Lucian’s chest, whispering to the giant angry papa bear.

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