Page 16 of His Angel

I cross to the window, and the view hits me hard, like I haven’t been staring out at it for God knows how long. It’s the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen with miles of white sand, the ocean sprawling beyond, turquoise fading into deep blue, waves crashing against a shore dotted with palms. No boats bob in the distance, no planes hum overhead. Just sea and sky, endless and untouched.

A figure moves along the beach below, a rifle slung over his shoulder, one of Isaia’s guards patrolling the perimeter. Another’s perched on a ridge, eyes scanning the waves. They’re everywhere, shadows in the sun, but the island feels empty, secluded, like we’ve dropped off the edge of the world.

The door swings open, and I turn as Isaia steps in, all lazy swagger, black tee hugging his chest, jeans frayed at the knees, smirk tugging his lips.

“Caught you admiring my empire, huh?” His voice has that cocky lilt that makes me want to smack him…or kiss him.

“Empire?” I snort, crossing my arms, the dress swishing against my legs. “Looks more like a sandbox with extra steps. Where the hell are we?”

“My island. Private. Pristine. Like it?”

“It’s a prison.”

“Oh, come on. It’s paradise. Can you seriously look at that view and tell me you’re not impressed?”

I glance out the window again, the isolation sinking in. No towns, no roads, just jungle and water. “It’s… quiet,” I say, arching a brow. “What’s the catch? No Wi-Fi? No pizza delivery?”

His laughter is low and rough. “No Wi-Fi, no delivery boys eyeing you up. Just me, the guards, and an ocean between us and the rest of the world. You’re stuck with my cooking, baby girl. Hope you like bourbon with everything.”

“Great,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “Death by overcooked steak and bad decisions. How long have I been catatonic in this room?”

“Few days.”

“Huh.” I glance out the window again. “And you’ve just been hovering around because you’re the patient type?”

There’s a flash of something dark in his irises. “Not gonna lie, baby girl. It’s been hell watching you cry over him.”

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth.

“But it’s what you needed. And it seems I’m all about that lately.”

I merely nod in response, not sure what to say.

“Come on.” He snags my wrist. “Let me show you around. Can’t have you thinking my empire’s just a sandbox.”

Electricity sparks across my skin where he touches me, and I stumble after him, the sundress fluttering against my legs. The hall’s all creams and beiges, wood walls polished to a soft sheen, with a white runner underfoot that echoes the sandy beach outside.

It’s bigger than I expected, sprawling and open, lazy beach vibes dripping from every corner. Sunlight pours through wide floor-to-ceiling windows, bouncing off white linen curtains that sway in the breeze, and the air smells like salt and driftwood.

“Living room.” He gestures as we pass a sunken space with plush beige sofas piled with cream cushions, a driftwood coffee table, and a massive glass wall framing the ocean like it’s a portrait. “Good spot for brooding or whatever you do when you’re pissed at me.”

“Plotting your demise,” I quip, earning a grin as he pulls me deeper into the house.

The kitchen’s next, open and airy, all white tile and stainless steel, with turquoise accents in the backsplash. A basket of limes sits on the counter, and a wide window overlooks the palms swaying outside. “Where I’ll burn your steak.” He winks, and I snort, picturing him fumbling with a spatula.

It’s a lavish beach house, but it’s easy, relaxed, with high ceilings, soft rugs, furniture that looks like it belongs in a magazine but feels lived-in, like the island’s sun has soaked into every inch. If I had the chance to design my own beach house, it would be exactly this.

We pass a staircase curving up to a loft, then a hall lined with abstract art in beachy hues. “Do you come here often?”

“Me? Maybe once every two years. Since Alexius and Nicoli had kids, they come here with their families more often. For us, this is the safest place in the world since no one knows we own it. No paper trail that leads it to us. Whenever we’re here, it’s like we dropped off the face of the Earth.”

I stop, easing my hand out of his. “Is that why you brought me here? So we could disappear?”

There’s a moment where something dark flashes in his eyes, something unsettling.

“Isaia?” I press. “Why are we here?”

“I need to get you fed first.” He snakes an arm around my waist and hoists me up, causing me to squeal as I wrap my legs and arms around him while he carries me down the hall.

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