Page 189 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I remain quiet, confident I haven’t heard him right.
I didn’t.
“Their patrol cars were found empty this morning in a wrecking yard on 93rd Street.”
I freeze as disturbing notion after disturbing notion fills my head. Am I concerned for the officers’ well-being? No, I’m not. The bruises they inflicted on Isabelle were… words can’t describe what I felt when I saw the marks tainting her beautiful skin for the first time.
I’ve never wanted to kill someone as much as I did last night.
The only thing that stopped me from helming the yacht back to the dock and hunting down the men responsible was Isabelle’s big, chocolate eyes. They saw the disgust beaming out of me, but she was reading it in the wrong manner. I wasn’t looking at her in repulsion. I’d never look at her like that. The hatred pumping out of me for the so-called men who get off injuring women like that, I was beyond disgusted that anyman would do something like this, much less a lawful man.
I push the phone receiver in closer to my ear, my tone unrepentant when I say, “It wasn’t me, but they deserve any punishment they get.”
Horrified by my lack of remorse, Ryan grunts. I doubt he’ll feel the same when he knows the entire story.
“The bruises Isabelle displayed in the courtroom yesterday werenothingcompared to the ones on her body.”
Ryan inhales a sharp breath, hearing the words I didn’t speak the loudest. My woman was assaulted on my watch in my town. I’ll never forgive myself for that.
“They’re cowards who should be grateful someone got to them before I did because my punishment would have been much more severe than any they’re undertaking or have already undertaken.”
With my anger at an all-time high, I slam the receiver back onto the console, slamming it down three times for good measure. As a fire rages through my veins, I shift my eyes to the photo of Isabelle I placed on my desk when we returned from the cabin. That was only two days ago. It feels more like a lifetime.
My heart drums against my ribs when I store her picture into the top drawer of my desk. I hate that I’m following Regan’s suggestion, but I also understand that this is one of the many steps required to ensure Isabelle’s safety. As far as anyone in Ravenshoe is concerned, Isabelle and I have never met.
I’ve only just closed the drawer when a quick tap gains my attention. “Come in,” I instruct, not bothering to look up. Only a deranged man would dare to approach me today, so their visit must be important.
When several long seconds pass in silence, I lift my gaze. A rather large-looking man with a military crew-cut stands just inside my doorway. He has his arms folded in front of his chest, ensuring I can see he’s bulked up for the occasion, and his lips are thinned into a stern line.
“Are you Isaac Holt?” The stranger’s voice is gruff like someone who has swallowed a whole heap of gravel.
I nod, more amused by his approach than worried.
“So, you’re the man who stole Hugo from his family?”
My smirk enlarges to a full, arrogant smile. It’s been a while since I’ve been accosted on my turf by a stranger. With how pitiful my mood is, this meeting could become very interesting.
“You might want to get your facts straight before throwing accusations around.”
After stepping around my desk, I move closer to the unnamed gentleman. His eyes watch my every movement, but just like Hugo, he doesn’t quiver in his boots from my furious glance.Stupid bastard.
When I stop to stand in front of him, I realize he has a good two to three inches on me in height, much less width. It doesn’t bother me. I’ve taken down men his size with one punch, and I’m more than eager to see if I still have it.
“I’m the man who saved Hugo’s life. Without me, he would have been dead years ago.”
CHAPTER14
ISABELLE
Every step I take has my brows creeping up higher on my face. Hugo isn’t the slightest bit fazed by the opulent surroundings we’re emerging into. I’m on the other end of the spectrum. I’m in complete awe.
“Your room is the second door on the right.” Regan houses her wool jacket into the coat closet that’s bigger than the walk-in closet in my apartment before spanning the distance between us. “Your room has an attached bathroom, but there’s a powder room off the living area to save your legs the walk if you need to use the facilities.”
There’s an understatement of the century. This penthouse isn’t just massive. It’s ginormous. I shouldn’t be shocked. It’s an exact mirror of Isaac’sfuck padnext door. It’s just more impressive with earthy tones and the luxurious fabrics draped on nearly every surface.
I won’t lie, when Hugo pulled onto the street this building is located on, my eyes got a little misty. After everything Isaac and I have been through, it’s hard to believe I only ‘visited’ his apartment seven weeks ago. When we’re together, we become so lost in each other. Time has no meaning. We wouldn’t know if a week or a month passed. It’s just us. Nobody else exists or matters.
I never knew this type of raw passion existed, but now that I’ve experienced it, it will be impossible to give up. No man will ever ignite my senses as Isaac can. My body is numb without him.
