Page 58 of Easy Rumba

Thoughts of him hurting her flood into my mind. She hadn’t mentioned asking him in before. What is she playing at?

“No, I’ll be fine. Why don’t you take Izzy and get her some ice cream from down the road? You know how much she loves it. She’s probably been missing it.”

I search her face for some sign of what she’s planning on doing. I don’t understand why she wants to be alone with the man who abused her for so long. I guess I just have to trust her.

“Okay.” I open the front door and call inside, “Izzy, do you want to go and get ice cream?”

The little girl squeals with delight and comes running to me. She’s already changed out of the dress and into her shorts and a t-shirt. Her long hair is out of the plaits and free flowing down her back. That’s more like the little girl I know.

“I’m not sure I like him taking her out on his own. Has he been checked by the local police?” Simon asks as he takes one look at his daughter and shakes his head in disgust at her appearance.

“He’s checked for the show, but I don’t think that’s any of your business. Izzy is perfectly safe with him.” Elise has a tone of annoyance in her voice now.

She bends down to Izzy and whispers into her ear. The little girl looks up at her mama with worry in her eyes, but Elise gives her a kiss and her frown disappears. I raise an eyebrow at Elise, but she waves my concern away with a flick of her hand.

I grab my keys from a table by the front door, and Izzy and I head out. As I turn the car around in the driveway, I watch as Elise and Simon disappear into the house. I’m thoroughly confused. What is she doing?

Izzy starts chatting to me as we drive down the road, and I momentarily forget what’s happening with Elise and Simon as I focus on the little girl in my care. I buy her favorite butterscotch ice cream with sprinkles in a chocolate cone for her, and we sit outside the shop as she devours the treat.

“He didn’t hurt me while I was there. I expected him too. I barely saw him to be honest. He’s got a housekeeper, and I spent all my time with her. He ordered her to swap my clothes for those ugly dresses.” Izzy licks her ice cream as she talks to me, volunteering information I think she feels will lessen my worry.

“Was that a good thing, not seeing him?” I question, thankful he didn’t hurt her.

“Yes, a really good thing. He got upset when I called him Simon instead of Daddy. He said Mama was a bad person, and he was going to put a stop to her games. Make her come home. I told him she would never do that because she’s found you, and I like you.”

“What did he say to that?”

“If I repeated his words, Mama would wash my mouth out with soap and water. I don’t want to visit him, but if I don’t see him and just see his housekeeper, then I don’t mind. At least I’m safe.”

“You’re a very brave girl, Izzy French.”

“Only when I need to be.” She finishes her ice cream and looks up at me. “One day, can I be Izzy Westwood? When you marry Mama?”

“We’ll have to talk to your father about that one, but I don’t see why not.” I don’t want to disappoint her. I’d adopt Izzy in a heartbeat, but I know Simon would never agree.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I look down at it, I’d have expected a message from Elise by now, but there’s nothing. Something isn’t right. An uneasy feeling settles deep in my stomach. She’s planning something. What is it? Why would she agree to be alone with Simon when she knows what he’s capable of doing? She’s no match for his strength.

Shit!

It suddenly hits me. I know what she’s planning.

Stupid, stupid woman.

She’s going to prove to the world just how violent a man he is.

“Izzy, we have to go.” I jump up from my seat and race toward the car, dragging the little girl behind me. “We have to get back home now. Get in your seat. Do your belt.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Leo.” Izzy climbs into the car and does as I ask. “Mama’s going to save me from him. She whispered it to me before we left the house.”

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