Page 36 of Our Darling Isabelle

“Not even I understand it, but how I feel isn’t something that I can control.” My voice trembles as I finally admit what has plagued me. Love. My father sighs, wiping a hand over his tired eyes.

“I need a drink. We have a lot to discuss, and we have to decide what to do with your mother.” He rumbles, tucking his gun away and motioning for me to follow him back inside.

“We could feed her to the dogs.” I suggest, glaring at the house that she was now invading, against her will and unconscious, of course. The irony was almost enough to make me giggle. Almost. Aden locked his eyes to me as I passed him, tension rising with every step before he followed.

“I’m not giving up.” He whispered in my ear as he brushed past. This was going to be a nightmare.

Just as I feared, two hours of shouting revealed that my father and I had a lot in common. Our temper for one, and how red our face got while yelling. Vincent had finished four glasses of wine within the first half an hour just from trying to keep the peace.

“All I am asking is for you to follow our family traditions. You also must let me deal with your mother how I see fit.” My father snarls, grabbing his whiskey glass and throwing the last of its contents into his mouth. Realizing I had a parent that I could disagree with, and they wouldn’t beat me, was an awakening experience. Unfortunately for him, it meant I bulldozed through every boundary he attempted to place.

“I didn’t grow up in this family, so I don’t need a stupid party for men to argue over getting in my pants. You also can’t just kill her. She was a monster, but she was my mother.” I throw my hands up, slouching back in my chair while Vincent covers his chuckle with a cough.

“If I died tomorrow, you would have to fight the other families for rights to our territory that my grandfather shed blood to gain control of. I need to know my men will follow you under any circumstance and pledge their loyalty. You will take my name; take your title and you will politely humor a single courting dance from any bachelor I approve of.” He snaps back, trying to use his stern tone that I’m sure has made many cower in fear. I just laugh and shake my head.

“This tradition is ancient, and you are too, if you think I’m going to agree to this.” I point at him, sitting forward while Vincent bursts into laughter.

“Met your match, old man?” he asks my father, with a wheezing laugh that nearly breaks the stony mask I am fighting to keep in place.

“Then you can take your princess attitude those boys gave you and stay locked in your room until we can agree. You will not leave your room without constant guard. You will not leave the mansion whatsoever without me. If I so much as think you are trying to contact those brothers, I will kill them myself.” He says, shoving his chair back and standing while his words sink in,

“That’s not fair!” I screech, leaping up to follow him. Aden cuts in, his arm stopping me from charging after my father. The man keeps walking as if he hadn’t heard me and defeat grips my lungs.

“We can have the stupid party.” I concede with a sigh, crossing my arms as he stops and glances at me over his shoulder.

“Do you agree with the traditions surrounding this celebration?” he asks, clasping his hands behind his back with a brow raised. I nod, tipping my head with raised brows.

“I do, if you agree with mine. Invite Markus and Alec.” My words come out in a rush, as if I say it fast enough, he won’t argue.

“Isabelle.” My father admonishes me. Aden groans, shaking his head at me like I’m being the stubborn one.

“Give them a fair chance, papa. Also, no creeps or anyone old gets a dance.” I shrug. He chuckles, tension bleeding from his shoulders as they relax.

“I wouldn’t think of letting anyone unsavory near you, sweetheart. I’ll make the exception for them if they can behave accordingly, one toe out of line, and they will be banned from ever seeing you again.” He says. I nod, a plan blooming in my mind. This party is my only shot at getting what I want, and I won’t let myself fail.

“What about Marlene?” Aden asks, giving my father a questioning glance.

“Release her. The moment she wakes up, give her a ticket to somewhere far away and a thousand dollars. Tell her if she ever comes back, I’ll kill her.” I suggest. My father gives a sharp nod, looking at Vincent, who gives him a thumbs up before pulling out his phone to get things started.

“You’ll make an outstanding leader, sweetheart.” My father says with a smile.

Three nights later, I kick the blankets off in a fit, shivering at the burst of chilly fall air. My window is wide open and the white curtains are twisting in the wind like ghosts trapped in place. I had spent every evening sneaking out onto the roof to peer up at the stars, the only time I actually felt alone and thankfully nobody had caught me yet. I wrapped a plush pink robe around my loose shirt and panties, ducking through the window as I looked around.

It was beautiful out tonight with clear skies, but something made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck as I sat on my heels. It felt as if somebody was watching me, but the cameras didn’t look onto the roof as far as I knew, and the only guards were at the front gates. The others stayed inside throughout the night. Squinting through the darkness, I search the yard, my breath catching in my throat as the moon reflects off a glowing smile in the backyard.

Markus is wearing a black tank top and black jeans, the frigid air seemingly unaffecting him. My hand raises in a nervous wave, earning me another smile as he turns and walks back into the shadows. My eyes flutter as I try to determine if I am hallucinating. I get my answer the next night, when yet again I was compelled to climb out my window to stare at Markus who was always out there. It didn’t scare me, more or less having him out there brought me comfort.

This time, a devious idea popped into my head, and I crawled to the edge of the roof before he could turn and leave. Markus took a step closer, shaking his head once to warn me away from the danger. I stop and kneel, slowly gliding my hands up to pull at the tie on my robe. It falls open and I shrug it down my shoulders, watching Markus for a reaction. He freezes, his body resembling a statue on the yard’s edge, gazing at my bare skin illuminated by the moon’s glow.

He drops his head back, rolling it to the side before looking back up at me. I grip the hem of my shirt and when he shakes his head no again, I pull it over my head and drop it beside me. My plan was to tease him, but a needy ache started between my thighs now that I was only wearing lacy panties, the frigid air tightening my nipples painfully.

I can feel the heat in his gaze as I stand up, dragging my fingers up my legs and feeling braver than I should. Almost as if against his will, he staggers forward a step as I drag my panties down to my ankles, stepping out of the garment. I wad the damp material up and threw it at him. Markus dives to catch them and brings it to his nose. His eyes flutter close as a look of bliss appears on his face under the moonlight.

“For Alec’s collection.” I call out.

He brings a hand to his ear, saying something so quietly I can’t hear him. He is speaking to somebody in his earpiece and I’m betting it’s Alec. A moment later, there is a sound from deeper in the house and Markus gives me one last appreciative smile before turning to disappear again. I was excited about the upcoming celebration, but it had nothing to do with the event. I wanted to disappear with him and Alec.

Chapter 28—Isabelle

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