Page 141 of Pride

“Life is dangerous, especially with a man like you. Do you intend to wrap me in cotton wool?”

He sighs heavily, as he no doubt realizes that there’s no chance he’s leaving me behind. “I’ll tell you the truth.”

I look at him expectantly then. “Go on then.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “It has nothing to do with your sex, Bella. It’s because losing you would ruin me, love, and I won’t risk it. Not when I finally feel like life is worth living again.”

“Isiah,” I breathe, pain clawing at my chest at the declaration.

“You are the light of my life, and I won’t have it extinguished by these men. Do you understand? I’ve lost too much.”

I reach up and cup his chin in my hands, knowing without a doubt that I love this man completely. The way I feel for him utterly reversed from the day we first met, since I professed to despise him, and now… Now I don’t even know how to put into words the way I feel about him. “And what if I lose you?”

His jaw tightens. “I’m sure you will recover, love.”

I shake my head. “No, because I love you, Isiah.”

His expression turns serious and there’s a glimmer of tears building in his electric blue eyes. “You can’t. I’m not lovable.”

My eyes fill with tears at that and I open my mouth to speak, feeling such heartache that my father made this man feel so worthless by simply taking his brother’s life, when the click of a gun cocking behind us forces both of us to freeze.

“Don’t move, you slimy son of a bitch.”

All the blood drains from my face at the sound of that voice. I’d assumed Isiah had already taken care of him, but it looks like the tables have turned.

Are we about to be ended by my father?

45

ISIAH

As Gio levels the gun at me, I know this night has gone from bad to worse faster than I could’ve ever imagined. All of my meticulous planning, all for naught.

Thankfully, something in my gut told me to call Cathal before coming. Otherwise, there would be no hope for Bella and I. Despite facing off against a mob boss who is hell-bent on taking me out after what I just did to his operation, I know somehow that everything is going to work out.

I wouldn’t let those deadbeat criminals get away with this, and I won’t allow Gio to get away either.

“Put the gun down, Dad!” Bella shouts.

Gio’s head snaps up, his face twisted with anger as he stares at her. “You don’t know the things he’s done, Bella.”

“What about the things you have done? The sick and depraved things!” Her voice is full of disbelief.

Gio clenches his fists as his eyes fix on me, dark and menacing. “What lies have you told my daughter?”

“No lies. I have the proof of how sick you really are. Young boys and girls, aren’t I right, Gio?”

Rage contorts his features as he realizes what I am implying. “Asshole. I invited you into my home and—”

I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “Yes, the biggest mistake you ever made.”

“Why is that?” Gio demands through gritted teeth.

The satisfaction I feel at knowing how clueless he is makes me almost giddy as I finally let out what I have been holding back for so long. “Do you remember Joshua Dalton?”

Gio’s eyes narrow. “Yes, he was a whiny son of a bitch who I chased out of town. What of it?”

“I’m his son,” I state simply, watching the shock on his face with malicious pleasure.

---