Page 265 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
Except that one.
I scrub at the scruff on my jaw while sucking in a big breath. I grew my beard with the intent of discovering if it added sexual stimulation for Isabelle and if I could smell her scent for hours later, but ever since I grew it, I haven’t tasted her against my mouth. I guess, like everything in life, sometimes the best-laid plans don’t always pan out the way you expect.
“Ophelia didn’t know I was fighting in the underground fight ring until the night I fought CJ.” I stare at nothing in particular. “It wasn’t until I arrived at the warehouse did she discover what I really did for a living.”
I turn to face Isabelle. Her chin is resting on her knees, peering up at me, waiting patiently for me to continue. Her face is void of the judgment I expect people to have whenever I imagine sharing my story.
“I was in the locker room warming up for the fight when she begged me not to do it. She said if I fought, I wouldn’t be the man she fell in love with.” I stop talking as the memories of that night filter through my brain. Even though it was six years ago, the images are still crystal clear in my mind. “That was the first time Ophelia told me she loved me.” I lift my gaze to Isabelle. “It was also the first time I said it back.”
Tears well in her eyes, but she smiles, encouraging me to continue.
“I adhered to her pleas, but only when we were leaving, and when we were stopped by Col, I discovered I wasn’t the only one harboring secrets. I didn’t know Ophelia was Col’s daughter until that night.” I drag my index finger down the crinkle in her nose. “But just like you, it wouldn’t have made any difference who her father was. You don’t choose who your family is.”
A smile tugs her lips higher as she nods.
“I either had to fight Col’s best fighter or give up Ophelia. I chose to fight. I only found out it was Ophelia’s brother once we walked between the bleachers.” I peer back out at the twinkling lights of Ravenshoe. “Just as I entered the ring, Ophelia dropped another bombshell.” I swallow harshly, my gaze facing forward. “Her period was over a week late. Suddenly, the stomach flu she’d been suffering the previous two weeks made sense. I think she thought her confession would have changed my mind about fighting. It did the opposite. It made me more determined to ensure she and my baby weren’t trapped in Col’s ruthless clutch any longer than they already had been.”
I suck in a deep breath that expands my chest. “I just never fathomed the last image I'd have of her was her tear-drenched face begging me to stop. If I’d known, I would have put more thought into my decisions that night.”
CHAPTER13
ISABELLE
My heart shatters into a million pieces from the devastation on Isaac’s face. When I asked my question, I truly didn’t know if he’d answer it. He hates talking about his past and anything associated with Ophelia, but I was inspired to push him to see if he’d open up to me. Even though his confession hurt to hear, it settled a lot of my confusion, and certain quirks he has now make sense. Like why he can’t stand seeing me cry, why he doesn’t tell me he loves me by using words, and why he guards his heart so fiercely.
Isaac stiffens when I crawl onto his lap, but I continue my pursuit. I cradle his hips with my knees and burrow my nose into the crook of his neck. Inhaling deeply, I fight the sob attempting to escape my quivering lips. Now is not the time for my tears to fall.
While pressing my lips to the throbbing vein in his neck, I tighten my arms around his shoulders. I mold my body as close to his as possible, making us become one. His heart pounds beneath my heaving chest, which is struggling to contain my emotions. As the first tear leaks from my eye, Isaac pulls me in close till not one ounce of air exists between us.
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“Don’t apologize, Isabelle. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
Guilt makes it hard for me to secure a full breath. “I shouldn’t have asked that question. I shouldn’t have forced you to share. I’m sorry, Isaac.”
He pulls me back by the shoulders, the pain in his eyes doubling when he spots the tears cascading down my face. He treks his fingers across my cheeks, removing my tears before locking his eyes with mine. “Instead of being sorry, I need you to remember I was hurting when I made my next decision. When I made it, I never thought someone like you would come into my life. I never thought I'd have these feelings again.”
Pain maims my heart from peering into his unguarded eyes. He's the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen—unguarded, open, and raw.
“Promise me you won’t run.”
“I’ll never run from you.”I’m tired of running.
“Promise me.” His eyes relay his command is more of a plea.
The ache in my heart amplifies. “I promise. Whatever it is, we’ll survive it. We can survive anything.”
We’ve already survived death threats, a deranged stalker, two arrests, an alleged affair, and a kidnapping. If we can survive that, we can survive anything.
He lifts my hands to his mouth and kisses each palm before placing them over his heart. “I love you, too,” I reply, finally intuiting what his gesture means.
The last time he spoke those three words, the woman he loved died, so I understand and accept he may never articulate that he loves me, but his actions will more than make up for it.
“When Ophelia died, no one knew about the baby, only me.” He looks up at me, “And now you.”
My heart warms, pleased he trusts me enough to share guarded secrets.
“I never wanted to experience that type of loss ever again, so I took measures to ensure there were no possibilities of it happening again.”
