Page 51 of Until You (Forgive Me)

She wasn’t sure how she was going to achieve that yet. Her word may not be enough. She just had to hope. A long-buried pain flared in her chest as she turned back to stare at the woman next to her.

“Was it all a lie?” Isabella couldn’t stop herself from asking.

Danielle looked flustered as she reached out a hand, an awkward silence filling the car.

Isabella shook her off and stared out the window, unable to face her. She could not face the truth. She’d loved this woman. It was too raw. The car slowed as the driver pulled up at a set of traffic lights. Isabella took a split second to decide before opening the door and getting out, slamming it shut as her stepmother called her name.

Isabella ran across the road, through the stationary traffic and into a crowd of pedestrians. The vast population of London and tourists had their uses, and allowing one to disappear into a crowd seemed at this moment to be a benefit. Isabella had no intention of letting her stepmother, Christian, or anyone else dictate her life. She was a grown up and successful businesswoman who’d managed on her own for seven years without interference. She was not letting anyone tell her what she could and couldn’t do.

Isabella walked for what felt like hours. The sun was shining, and the cooler breeze of Spring was refreshing against the heat and humidity of Thailand. She enjoyed the familiar sights of the city she’d once called home. A nameless face in a mass of people, those around her were too busy with where they were going to pay much heed to the young woman walking among them.

Isabella looked up and realised where her wanderings had taken her. Across the street was the Dupree Group building. She ducked into an empty coffee shop and took a seat in the window. She noted the number of people waiting on the pavement outside the building. It was experience that let her know they were press, not bystanders. Christian was also under siege. They’d know by now she’d touched down and were waiting to see where she resurfaced. She kicked herself for leaving her bag and phone in her stepmother’s car. At least she had her purse in her pocket. Ordering herself a coffee, she sat and planned her next move.

Chapter Twenty-three

Christian

“What the hell do you mean you lost her?” Christian said, trying hard not to yell down the phone.

Screaming at his security team would not help, however frustrated he was.

“We were waiting as you asked, Sir. Another security team swept forward and escorted her out of the building and into a waiting car. They’d pulled away before we could reach her.” He could hear the remorse in his head of security’s voice. He’d failed him. “You’ll have my resignation by the end of the day.”

Christian didn’t stand for failure. With security, he couldn’t. It could mean the company coming under attack, or worse, someone in his family suffering. He was a billionaire. There was always a risk, and something he’d had to agree with Star and Damian, although their two teams now worked in tandem to ensure Skylar’s safety. Doug, however, was the best of the best.

“That won’t be necessary. But Doug...” Christian said. “I want her found.”

A noise at the other end of the phone let Christian know someone was passing information to Doug. “The car was a Bentley. Registered to Ms King’s stepmother, Danielle King.”

Christian breathed a sigh of relief. At least Isabella was with family. Maybe she’d asked Danielle to collect her. Christian smarted at the idea, but he couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t as if their relationship was all roses. Since the story broke, Isabella had been incredibly defensive whenever they spoke. Christian had to admit, in hindsight, he may not have handled the situation as well as he should have. He’d treated it like a business problem, throwing resources at it. Isabella had fought him tooth and nail until she’d refused to take his calls. He could only communicate with her via Richard and Annelise.

“I’ve got to go, Doug. Good work in tracking the car. Keep me informed.”

Christian looked up at the ruckus happening outside his door.

“I don’t care what he’s doing, Lucy. He’s my brother, and I’m going to see him.”

Christian walked towards the door, trying to keep the grin off his face. His little sister was a firecracker when she wanted to be, but he wouldn’t expose Lucy to her wrath when it was directed at him. Opening the door, Christian held up his hand. “It’s okay, Lucy. Come in, Scarlett.”

Christian stepped back as Scarlett stormed past him and into his office before turning to face him. He shut the door and walked further into the room.

“It’s good to see you, Scarlett,” he said, dropping a kiss on his sister’s cheek.

“Don’t you...it’s good to see you, Scarlettme, Christian Dupree. I warned you not to mess with her,” she said, her hands on her hips, her eyes shooting flames in his direction. He’d only ever seen his sister this angry once before, and he’d been the cause of her rage that time, too.

Christian held up his hand. “Scarlett, calm down.”

“Calm down?” she practically spat. “I’ve just flown from the States. I’m supposed to be choreographing a pop video, and instead, I’m here trying to clean up your mess. My best friend is out there all alone because my big brother couldn’t keep it in his pants!”

“Did Isabella call you? Ask you to come?” Christian asked, ignoring her comment about his relationship.

“No,” she said, taking a deep breath, “Of course we’ve spoken. She’s my best friend, and she’s in trouble. Where else would I be?”

Christian watched his sister deflate and drop onto his sofa, her head dropping into her hands. He sat down next to her, drawing her against him.

“It’s not fair, Christian. Why couldn’t they leave her alone? Why couldn’t you? Did you have to sleep with my best friend? Oh ew! I don’t even want to hear you admit it. Seeing the pictures of you together made me vomit in my mouth.”

“Thanks for that visual, little sis,” Christian added. “It wasn’t on purpose. We just happened.”

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