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“If you don’t want me knowing where you are, you should take off the engagement ring,” I say, praying she won’t.
Isabella lifts her left hand and looks at the ring. “Should’ve known.”
“And don’t forget the tracker on the motorcycle,” I add.
Isabella’s eyes snap to mine, and then we stare at each other.
“You look good,” I murmur.
“It’s only been a week.”
“A week too long.”
Isabella shakes her head at me. “You should leave.”
“Who’s the woman?”
“None of your business,” she bites out, instantly going on guard and giving me a look of warning.
Okay, it’s someone who means a lot to Isabella.
“I’m not leaving,” I say. “Sonia’s men know you’re here.”
“I can take care of myself.”
I nod. “I know, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m not leaving.”
Isabella glares at me. “You’re infuriating.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “So I’ve been told.”
She turns away from me and begins to walk back to the house.
For a moment, I hesitate, but then I call after her, “Isabella.”
She stops and gives me an annoyed look. “What is it now?”
Pushing through, I ask the question that’s been gnawing at my soul, “Did I force anything on you?”
Her eyes narrow on me, and it makes my heart stop, then she says, “You wouldn’t be alive if you did.”
My eyes drift shut as intense relief spreads through me.
“Go home, Alexei. I’ll meet you there before the attack.”
Opening my eyes, I focus on Isabella, and then honesty spills over my lips, “It’s not home without you.”
She looks at me for a moment longer, and then she disappears behind the van.
As I pass the house, I glance at the property, but there’s no sign of Isabella or the other woman.
When we get back to the SUV, I pick up the binoculars and scan over the property.
“She better get out of there before the cops come,” Demitri mentions.
“She should have another five minutes,” I say, and just then, the shed door opens, and Isabella pushes the motorcycle out. It takes her a while to kickstart the engine, and then she climbs on.
The van starts, and it has me saying, “I wonder who the other woman is. Isabella had a strong reaction when I brought her up.”
“Could be her partner,” Demitri guesses.
“Would explain what happened to the girls. The woman probably moved them before we got to the safe house.”
I begin to smile because it’s good to know Isabella’s not alone out there.
“Feel better?” Demitri asks.
“Yes. I needed to hear that from her,” I admit.
It also means I still have a chance to get Isabella back.