Page 10 of Beneath the Surface

"Of course. How about three PM at my office?" Ruth suggested.

"Perfect. I'll see you then," Isobel confirmed, feeling a bit more at ease knowing Ruth would lend her expertise.

Next, Isobel called her other sister, Sophie, a medical doctor whose party she had missed due to the discovery of the two dead teens. The line rang a few times before Sophie picked up, her voice cheerful as always.

"Hey, Izzy. Are you alright?”

Isobel chuckled softly. "You mean after Brad’s kinky lesson? It was interesting.”

"It was surprising. Did it help your case?” Sophie asked.

"Part of it," Isobel said. "He’s taking me to the club the boyfriend goes to tonight.”

“Izzy, are you sure you want to do that?”

“Yes,” she said emphatically. Soph, I need your medical opinion on that case. The ten-year-old girl has had a relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The situation is complicated by the custody battle over her treatment. What can you tell me about the latest progress in treating relapsed ALL?"

"Hmm, that sucks. Relapsed ALL can be tough, but there have been significant advances in treatment. New protocols often include targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which have shown promising results. CAR-T cell therapy, in particular, has been a breakthrough. It's not without risks, but it's an option worth considering. The survival rates have improved with these newer treatments, but it's crucial to balance the aggressiveness of treatment with the quality of life. Depending on the patient, it is survivable. But for more, you’d have to speak with the child’s oncologist.”

Isobel sighed. "Thanks, Soph. This helps a lot. It’s a bitter dispute, and she’s caught in the middle. I need to make a recommendation to the court, and I want to ensure I have the most current and accurate information."

"Of course. If you need more detailed information or want to discuss her case further, just let me know. I can ask Tristan to sit in on a meeting with the girl’s oncologist. There aren’t that many in the area. All you’d need is a release form.”

"Thanks, Soph. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime.” Sophie paused. “Brad was quite focused on you,” she said, her tone teasing but just pointed enough to make Isobel flinch.

Isobel’s nervous laugh bubbled out. “Oh, come on. Brad’s just… Brad. He’s a family friend. You know that.” Even thoughSophie couldn’t see her, she waved a hand dismissively, but the way Sophie inhaled told her she wasn’t buying it.

“Uh-huh,” Sophie said, drawing out the syllables. “Sure. Family friends don’t usually look like they’re trying to figure out how to be around someone without tripping over their own emotions.”

Isobel laughed again, but this time it sounded almost nervous, even to her. “Love you, Sophie. Talk soon!” She slipped the words out quickly, eager to escape her sister’s laser-focused intuition.

She ended the call, shaking her head as she placed her phone down. Her sisters loved to meddle, and sometimes she adored it—but other times, like now, it hit too close to home.

Isobel leaned back on the couch, letting her head rest against it. Sophie’s words stayed with her, though, floating in the quiet space of her mind. Did it mean more? Could it mean more?

Brad’s voice from earlier that day echoed in her head:You don’t leave my side.There was something in his tone, something protective, yes, but also… possessive?

A knot of nervous energy curled in her stomach. What did Brad really want? A friendship? Or something far deeper, more layered than either of them had acknowledged?

Questions rolled through her thoughts like a tide she couldn’t stop. Was he a Dom? Did he see her as submissive? The idea both thrilled and terrified her. She had no idea if Brad’s intensity came from wanting to protect her, guide her, or if he was simply acting out of a sense of duty. But the way he looked at her, the way he spoke… it hinted at something else. Something far more deliberate.

Her heart beat faster, and she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to still the rush of emotions flooding through her. Could she handle what he wanted, if itwasa relationship? Could she handlehim?

Isobel sighed, closing her eyes and letting the questions settle. She wasn’t sure of any answers yet, but one thing was clear: Brad’s presence in her life had shifted. And whether she was ready to admit it or not, so had her feelings.

After hanging up, Isobel felt a sense of clarity in the other matter. Armed with Sophie’s medical insights, she felt better prepared to navigate Emma’s case. Her food arrived, and she took a few moments to eat, savoring the brief respite.

Five

Isobel stood at her window, nervously smoothing the hem of her black leather jacket. The skirt she’d chosen—a shimmering, scandalously short one—felt more revealing than she remembered. Paired with a snug crop top that bared a sliver of her toned stomach and spiked heels that made her legs look impossibly long, she felt utterly out of her element. And yet, wasn’t that the point?

She glanced at her phone for the fifth time in as many minutes. Brad was late. But then, as if summoned by her impatience, headlights swept across the parking lot below her window. She took a deep breath, grabbed her clutch, and opened the door.

Brad stood on the porch of her condo, leaning casually against the frame, but his outfit was anything but casual. Brown leather pants clung to his long legs, hugging him in a way that made her blush. A cream silk shirt, unbuttoned just enough to hint at his toned chest, caught the soft glow of the porch light. He looked like he’d stepped out of the pages of a steamy romance novel, and for a second, Isobel had to stifle a giggle.

“You’re staring.” Brad smirked as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt.

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