Page 40 of The Enforcer's Redemption

If it were up to me, I'd go house shopping tomorrow, perhaps buy some land outside the city on a large, sprawling farm like Mick's so that my son or daughter will have a safe haven to grow up in. But it's not up to me.

Sebastian didn't just take Isla.

She ran off.

Her wandering, frightened heart had so much pressure on it, she was never given the opportunity to adjust and accept the facts. They were forced on her. People hid the truth, her father and my brother.

Right now, she's in no shape to learn it all, and after being with Sebastian, I don't know what to think or what she knows. All I know is I have her safe in my arms and I don't ever want to let her go. It shatters my heart to think that she may still want to escape, but now as my bride, with the alliance secure again, if she wants to leave, I have to make a way for her to do it. Love demands that of me.

"Are you hungry? Have you eaten? Thirsty?" My questions are returned with sniffles and a shrug of her shoulder. I don't know how they treated her, what they might have done to her. I don't even know if she knows that she's pregnant yet, if anyone told her.

When I set her on the edge of the bed and kneel in front of her, she looks me in the eye and places her palm on my cheek. "I knew you'd come for me," she says softly, blinking out a few more tears.

My hands cup her hips. I drop my head to her lap for a moment, breathing in the feeling of relief that she's back in my protection. "I would never let them take you, Isla." My voice is muffled by the fabric of the faded skirt she wears, clearly not her own clothing but something they forced her to put on. Her fingers tangle in my hair and she scratches my scalp.

"I'm sorry for running away," she sobs, and it draws me up to pull her into my chest.

"Hey, no… I'm so sorry you were forced to go through all that. We all should've known better. You deserved better, and I’m here to give that to you now. You are my wife, Isla, not Mick's daughter, not Ronan's employee. As my wife, now I make the choices for you." I cup her cheek and brush the tears from her bruised skin. Her eyes are full of sadness and pain. It makes me want to go back to those docks and gut Sebastian O’Reilly with a spoon.

"Thank you for saving me… and…." Her head drops, and I watch her slide her hand across her belly. When she lifts her eyes, they're searching my expression.

"I know, baby…" It doesn't feel appropriate, but I smile. "I know. We're having a baby, and it makes me the happiest man alive." I say those words with hesitancy, not sure how she feels about being forever linked to my bloodline. After knowing how she's felt for two months now, she could honestly hate the entire idea.

She says nothing for a moment, but when I press my lips to hers, she returns the kiss. Then when she pulls away, she says, "Are you sure?"

I'm not certain what that is supposed to mean, so I give her the only answer I can. "I want a family. I want you as my wife, and not because of some alliance but because I love you. I've never loved anyone but you." My hand covers hers on her belly. "And I want this baby, and I don't want any of this if I don’t have you." Blinking, I add, "And if you still want to run away and find freedom, I will make sure it happens."

Isla shakes her head and closes her eyes. Rivers form on her cheeks. She covers her mouth with a hand and sobs quietly, then throws her arms around me and whispers, "I love you too." The words hit my chest harder than those bullets, the wounds ofwhich are still healing, but instead of pain, I find healing. "And I want you too."

My hand rises to the back of her head, and I crush her against my body, breathing in her scent, the vomit, urine, and body odor. It's all heavenly to me, simply because she is in my arms. For better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and in health, until death do us part, she's mine.

After a few moments, I pull away and use the pads of my thumbs to wipe the rest of the tears off her cheeks. She must be starved and exhausted, but she is still every bit as gorgeous.

"I'll draw you a bath, and then you should eat…" I rise, and she clings to my hand.

"But Mum and Da…" The pain on her face seeps through her words, pulling my heartstrings.

"They know you're safe. You don't want them to see you this way. Let's clean up, and after you've rested, we'll go visit them. Or if you'd like, they can come here. You're the queen now." The corner of my mouth lilts in a smile, but she narrows her eyes. Still, she rises and follows me into the bathroom.

I stoop to draw her a bath, and she slides the skirt and her soiled panties off, immediately tossing them into the trash bin. While the water begins to fill the clawfoot bath, I turn to help her take off her shirt. She winces as she lifts her arms, and when the tatty fabric of the faded T-shirt is off and her skin is exposed, I see why. She’s bruised all over her body.

It makes me feel instantly enraged. I will get revenge on Sebastian for this. And it makes me feel so protective of her. I touch a bruise lightly and then hold her arm gently as I ask, "They hurt you?" The horrors she’s seen probably outweighanything I have ever been through. I'm terrified they've done more than just smack her. My face must express it because she sighs and rests a palm on my chest.

"Not like that, Declan. They just manhandled me, hit me a few times." By the looks of it, it was far more than a few times, but I don't question her.

"I'll kill him," I tell her, and she lays her head on my chest.

"I love you." Her arms wrap around my middle, but I pry them away and help her climb into the tub. It's large enough for both of us, but I kneel at the side for the moment. I won't take that liberty unless she asks me, but having her back, seeing her skin purpled with trauma, it makes me fiercely possessive, gives me a craving to consummate this marriage and show everyone in this world that she's mine, and I will kill for her if I have to.

Isla sinks into the water and I shut it off. She reclines, letting her body relax under the surface. Her eyes shut as she lays her head back, and I unbutton my shirt and remove it. I can't very well help her wash or massage the tension from her body with my sleeves in the way. When she hears me toss the shirt away, she opens her eyes.

"Joining me?" she asks, and I see the hint of desire in her eyes.

"We don't have to do that tonight, Isla. I want to take care of you. You've been through so much." I reach for a wash rag under the sink and return to wet it, lather it with soap. I move to begin washing her skin, and she grabs my wrist.

"I want to do that tonight," she says meekly, "with you." Her eyes lock on mine. "And every night from now on. You're my husband. Are you telling me you'll deny me?"

The faintest smile curls her lips, and I grin like an idiot. Just at her showing any interest in me at all, my cock has gone rock hard. I leave the wash rag in the water to sink against her body, and I stand up, kicking off my boots. My pants and boxers join my soiled shirt, and Isla leans forward in the bath so I can slip in behind her. She sits between my legs for now, leaning on my chest as I retrieve the wash rag and start washing her clean.

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