Page 57 of Bartered Innocence

He steps closer, holding up his hands in surrender. “You’re right. Last night, I was a damn bastard. You told me something personal, and I used it against you, but Isabelle…you’re refusing to listen to what I’m saying. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“From what?” I appreciate his apology, especially if there is some truth to his words. Part of me wants to return to the restaurant specifically for my father, instead of opting to continue my education elsewhere with potentially better instructors.

I stay where I am as he moves closer, his hands tugging at my elbows and uncrossing my arms so he can pull me into his chest. The tension from the restless night melts away at his fresh scent, and I wrap my arms around his waist.

“From everything. You’re mine, Isabelle. My enemies are your enemies. And I need you to trust that I’m doing what I must to protect you,” he says, his hand moving to my stomach. “Protect our family.”

I’m not pregnant yet, but I get his point. It could be any day now that I will officially be carrying the heir of the Irish Mafia. I groan into his chest, hating how much he’s right.

Tilting my head back, I blink up at him. “I just want to cook.”

His lips pull into a smile, and he leans down, kissing me gently. “And you can, but I need you to wait until I say it’s safe for you to do so if you’re determined for it to be there, okay?”

I nod, and he kisses me again, deepening it this time. His hand falls to my ass, lifting me enough for my legs to wrap around his waist as I tangle my fingers in his hair. He carries me to the bed, setting me down gently before climbing over me, his fingers tugging at my leggings. I pull away from him, staring into his crystal blue eyes as my heart hammers away.

“I didn’t like sleeping alone.”

Rian’s pupils dilate at my confession, and I feel his heartbeat quicken under my hands as I slide them down his chest to drag his shirt off. I want to feel his skin, I missed the warmth of him beside me.

“You missed me last night?”

I blow out a bated breath and counter, “Did you miss me?”

He nods. “Every moment, but I fucked up and I wanted to give you space.”

Giving him a soft smile, I trace his jaw. “Maybe you make me feel less lonely, even when I’m mad at you.”

His throat bobs as he swallows. “Then next time I’ll stay.”

There’s no doubt there will be a next time, Rian and I are both too stubborn for there not to be. But I’m beginning to understand that perhaps that’s exactly what draws us together, what wraps around us in a fiery hold and makes us unable to let go.

Just as he kisses me again, a shout from down the hall has us pulling away. He groans into my neck and rolls off me.

“Who is that?” I ask, adjusting my clothes.

He stands, holding out his hand to pull me off the bed. “I brought a guest for you, as a kind of apology.”

“A guest?”

* * *

The very pregnant woman squashes me as her arms wrap around me and I stand there stunned. “Don’t strangle my wife,” Rian teases as the woman pulls aways.

She scoffs and rests her hands on my shoulders, squeezing lightly. “Maybe your wife is more capable than you think and you should let her leave your little bubble.”

I smile. “I like her.”

Rian shakes his head and nods at the burly man standing next to him. “This is Declan and his wife, Aoife.”

“Oh! Yes, the boys told me about you,” I say, warmly.

Aoife rolls her eyes. “I’m sure not nice things either. I won’t even ask.”

Declan pulls her into his chest, kisses her temple, and his hand falls to her rounded belly. “They're just scared of ya, chicken. They don’t get it like I do.”

She looks up, the adoration in her eyes making me give them privacy as she kisses him once.

Rian clears his throat. “Dec and I need to go over some security measures for the house. Figured it would be a good time to introduce you two.”

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