Page 16 of Worth the Heat
Isabella puts her head back on my shoulder, sniffling quietly. Luca watches me, and we have a silent conversation. “You’re coming home with me,mi Cielo.”
I watch as Luca mouths “mi Cielo?” Assuming the Italian word for “sky” is something close to the Spanish word, I shrug. I’m sure he’ll look it up. “Um, Belle, you can stay with me and Hannah if you’d feel more comfortable.”
Isabella shakes her head as she exhales. “I can’t bring this into your house, Luca. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to any of you.”
Luca approaches us, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, before looking at me. “Keep my sister safe.”
“I willneverlet anything happen to her,” I vow. As Luca walksout, I hear him speak quietly with someone. Assuming it’s Alex, I pat Isabella softly on her back. “Let’s get some things together for you to bring back to my place.”
“I don’t want to stay with a bunch of guys,” she admits. “I can get a hotel. I just didn’t want to involve any of my siblings.”
“I don’t live with a bunch of guys,” I say with a snicker. “We use the Clubhouse for events and meetings, and some guys stay there from time to time. But we all have our own housing. My property abuts the MC property, but the guys know never to show up unannounced. You’ll have privacy, and you’ll be safe there.”
Isabella sighs as she sits up straight, but her head hangs. “How did I get here? How is this my life now?”
I drag a finger across her forehead, pulling her hair to behind her ear. “I meant what I said. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t think this is going to end well for anyone,” she whispers, before climbing out of my lap. I immediately miss her closeness, the feel of her skin under my palms. The fact that she sought me out when she needed solace. I watch as she silently walks to her closet, carefully grabbing the few clothes still left on the hangers that Devon didn’t toss around the room.
“Seb.” I look toward the sound to find Alex beckoning me into the living room.
“I’ll be right outside the door, okay? Shout if you need anything,” I tell Isabella, but she doesn’t acknowledge me. I can sense her walls closing, with new brick being built to keep everything — and everyone — out, but I won’t push. This extraordinary woman needs someone who recognizes her, who values her exactly as she is, and I’m determined to be that man.
Walking to the living room, I find Alex, Luca, and Dominic. The fury emanating from the three Santos is palpable. Dom opens his mouth, but I hold up a hand. “My guys and I will handle this.”
Alex’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. “That’s our sister, man.”
“Exactly,” I answer. “You’re too close to this, and you all have families. I’ve got a couple dozen men with military experience, and most have connections all over the country. Some have friends in prison too, so we’ve got a lot of avenues we can start with. And if something goes south … I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Isabella stays safe. You have my word.”
“Did he really say she couldn’t involve the cops?” Dom asks.
“I don’t believe she’d lie about that,” I answer.
Alex scoffs. “I told my buddy to go, but I’m not leaving it alone. There’s no way this is a coincidence. It’ll be off the record, though. ESPD will step up patrols by the bakery, and I plan on asking some contacts in other precincts if they want to take on some off-duty patrols. I’ll make sure there isn’t any paperwork to track.”
I nod. “All I know is Devon has to be associated with her ex-boyfriend. I don’t know much yet, but I’ll get a guy working on it. So far, Rick seems clean.”
“Never liked that guy,” Luca sneers. “I only met him once, and thought he was a pretentious douchebag.”
Alex nods. “I never told Belle my opinion, because she seemed happy. She’s watched so many of us fall in love, and I think she was sad about being single.”
“I’d like to go now,” Isabella says quietly from behind me. Eyes downcast while holding a bag in one hand and her purse in the other. My girl looks so broken.
I clear my throat, but my voice still cracks. “Anything else you need from here?”
She shakes her head, refusing to make eye contact. “Just my cat, and then I want to leave.”
I grab her bags in one hand as Luca picks up an orange cat, handing it to Isabella. I had no idea she had a cat, but it doesn’t surprise me. It fits her. I place my other hand on the small of her back. Each one of her brothers gives her a hug as we walk pastthem. As Isabella slowly walks through the apartment door, her eyes catch on a framed image of her family. I recognize the picture from an event only a few weeks ago, because Alex and Natalie’s new son is featured in the center. I quickly reach down, grabbing it from beneath the broken glass. I look back at the guys, and point around the room. “Grab anything not broken or damaged, and bring it to my place.”
All three nod as I close the door.
I’d love for Isabella to move into my home and never move out. But if that can’t happen, she sure isn’t coming back here.
The rideback to my house is silent.
Isabella stares sullenly out the window, her hands gripping her cat tightly against her chest. I don’t know if I should talk to break the tension, take her hands in mine to give her support, or let her alone. I’ve crushed on her for so long, but I don’t actually know how to help her when she’s struggling.
“What’s your cat’s name?” I ask quietly.
