Page 6 of Our Darling Isabelle

“Isabelle Thorn?” A tall man asks. I nod before gawking up at his gigantic frame. He fills my doorway. The man has to duck his blonde head to come into my apartment. Directly behind him is a much smaller man with long black hair twisted into a ponytail. He gives me an annoyed once over before brushing past us. Both men are wearing black dress slacks and black shirts, with no logos on them.

“Jared,” the tall guy holds his hand out for me to shake. “Are we taking furniture or just boxes?” He asks.

“Just the furniture in the living room and the first bedroom on the left. Thank you,” I say shyly. Unsure of what to do, I grab a box, but Jared grunts at me.

“Just relax, we will take care of all this.” He waves me away before turning to the other man.

“Kurt, grab what you can carry. Make it quick.” He says in a low voice. I hop up on the counter and awkwardly scroll my phone while they make multiple trips. After nearly two hours, I looked around the empty living room and awkwardly nodded to them, motioning for the door.

“I gave you the address, but do you want to follow me, just in case?” I suggest. They share a look for a moment before Kurt walks past me. An uneasy feeling makes its way into my gut, but I tell myself it’s just me being nervous.

“Yeah, we can do that.” He calls over his shoulder. Something feels off as we step into the parking lot, but I keep trying to shake the feeling off. I peek in my windows, double checking the back seat.

“Ready to go?” Jared asks. I give him an awkward smile and nod. Sliding behind the wheel, I turn the key. But nothing happens. Dumbstruck, I pull the key out and try again, but the car still won’t start up. Kurt hops out of the truck and motions for me to pop the hood. I do and open my door, walking around to look as if I could magically find the problem myself.

“This has never happened before,” I groan. He sighs and shakes his head at me.

“There are several things that could be wrong with it. We could give you a ride and you can call a tow truck.” He slams my hood and crosses his arms while I fidget with my phone. With great timing, my phone rings and I glance down at the screen to see Aden’s name pop up.

“Okay but give me one second. I gotta take this.” I say, walking to the back of my car to lean on it.

“How is it going? When should I meet you at the new place?” He asks.

“They just finished moving everything into the truck, but you won’t believe this. My car won’t start.” I complain. He pauses for a minute.

“Should I come get you? I can be there in twenty.” He offers. Jared walks up and gives me a small wave.

“I’m sorry, miss, but my boss is really pushing for us to get this job finished.” He calls. Making a split decision, I give him a thumbs up and grab my purse out of my car, slinging the strap over my shoulder.

“Just meet us there, okay? The movers offered to let me ride with them.” I say, walking up to the door.

“Isabelle, just wait-” The call cuts off and I look at my screen in confusion. My phone had at least fifty percent battery left, but the screen is black and won’t turn on. I’m interrupted when Kurt holds his hand out to help me up. Slipping my phone into my purse, I climb up and sit between them.

“Buckle up.” Kurt says, yanking my seatbelt out for me. I blow out a breath as my anxiety spikes being this closed in. Jared turns to face me and gives me a soft smile.

“I’m really sorry for this.” His voice is sincere, and I stare at him in confusion. Until he is slapping cuffs on my wrist.

“What the Hell?” I shout, jerking my hands away a moment too late. Before I can say or do anything, I hear duct tape being ripped and Kurt smacks a hand over my mouth so hard my eyes sting. I try to reach up to rip the tape off, but Kurt grabs my hand, unlocking one cuff. I immediately swing my fist at him, hitting his ear. He huffs out in anger, grabbing my wrist so tight the bones scream in protest. I cry out, but the tape muffles it to a pitiful whimper.

“Kurt, relax.” Jared warns him, lifting my leg while Kurt yanks the cuffs under my thigh to refasten my right hand in them before pulling my seatbelt down. He yanks it hard enough to lock it before sliding it back in with a grin. I thrash in my seat, swinging my head at him. His arm comes up and hits my nose so hard everything spins for a moment before it fades out.

“Markus is going to skin you for that!” Jared shouts, as I slump over.

Chapter 7—Markus

Alec is more than just a little peeved, but I expected it. He keeps flexing his hands and eventually just shoves them in his pockets. He may have perfected the stony mask to look emotionless to everyone else, but I knew there was rage boiling under the surface. Giving up on calming him down, I sigh and walk over to the counter to grab a bottle of whiskey. I pull out two glasses from the cabinets and fill them halfway before Alec walks up and angrily snatches one, still glaring at me.

“I get it. You’re pissed. But I wanted that one.” I jest. He scoffs and tips the glass up, downing it all at once. I roll my eyes and walk to the fridge, grabbing a can of cola as a chaser.

“Show off,” I mumble, cracking it open.

“No, you don’t get to joke right now. I sent you out to collect owed debts. I didn’t send you out for pussy. You can get laid anywhere you go, have your pick. We don’t just kidnap one. They are unloading her junk in one of our spare bedrooms, because what? You got a hard on for a pretty girl?” He shouts, slamming his glass down to refill it.

“Marlene Thorn, her mother, offered her to pay off her debt. Technically, I did what I was supposed to do. She can be our maid or some shit like that.” I say with a grin, sipping my mixed drink.

“We already have a maid,” He groans, rubbing his forehead as he leans back against the counter, “She doesn’t have value. If you wanted to settle down, then there are women with actual social standings or within other families you could introduce yourself to.” He snaps.

“I’ve screwed most of them and let me tell you what, they’re stuffy and stuck up. This one has fire. But she won’t be any trouble. I want her, and I accepted her as payment already.” I am not willing to budge, and my tone conveys that. Alec pours himself another shot as I’m throwing back the last of my drink, both of us knowing this argument is going nowhere. Just then a loud crash comes from above us and Alec gives me a look that says, ‘I told you so’. Rolling my eyes as he grabs his gun, we head upstairs to check it out.

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