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She couldn’t stop thinking about the scene, and she cried hard as she remembered how disgusted Clarice looked at her.
What can I do to improve this? How do I fix this?
Her mind was racing, and she was desperate to find ways to fix her relationship with the only person who had ever cared about her.
Yes, her words hurt, but she didn’t want to fight and say a few rude things that would keep them apart forever.
She flinched at the soothing touch because it was so unexpected.
Her eyes were red, and her lip trembled as she remembered what he had said to Clarice.
“W-why would you say that?” she yelled. He had basically threatened the woman and told her that if she ever talked to Isla again, something bad would happen to her.
Kade frowned and his jaw ticked. He was a little annoyed that people were questioning what he had done, especially since he wasn’t the one who had been slandering her.
“Baby, she was disrespecting you. I won’t put up with that from anyone.” He was right.
Isla’s bottom lip shook, and more tears fell on her chubby cheeks.
Isla whispered, “She hates me.”
When they put her in the car, she didn’t say anything. Her body was numb to everything around her.
Kade went to kiss the top of her head, but she flinched and whined.
“You made it worse.”
Kade looked at her for a minute, then slammed the door and hit the roof of the car with his fist.
“F**k!” he yelled in anger.
Isla jumped in her seat when he yelled. A heavy weight settled on her chest as she felt guilty for his sudden anger. She was sorry.
She nervously bit her bottom lip as he opened the door.
“I’m sorry, Kade, I didn’t mean that,” she said in a low voice.
She looked down and played with her fingers while she thought of things to say to explain herself.
“Clarice was the only person who really liked me. She took care of me and raised me, but now she thinks I’m a whore.” Her voice broke and shook as she spoke.
Kade’s eyes softened when he saw how sad she looked. He sighed.
“Isla,” he said.
She sniffled and looked up at him. He had to fight the urge to smile at how cute her nose kept getting bunched up.
“I’m not going to say sorry for putting that bitch in her place. No parent should ever say what she said to you. You’re not a whore.”
He held her small hands in his big ones and looked her in the eyes.
“I know you have a relationship with her, but it’s not good for you to be treated that way. She doesn’t like me, and things aren’t going to be the same between you two as long as I’m around.”
Isla sucked in her cheeks and nodded, but she didn’t want to let go of his hands.
“I get it,” she said softly.
Kade looked at her closely before deciding to leave her alone. He drove back to his house after getting off the curb, thinking of ways to cheer her up.
*************
“Isla, Baby, please talk to me,” Kade begged in a soft voice.
They got home an hour ago, and she went straight to bed. No matter what he said, she hadn’t moved from her spot. Kade was worried because her eyes looked far away.
He walked back and forth in his room until he had an idea.
“How about I read you a book? What do you think?” he said softly.
Isla’s eyes went to his and she sniffled.
Kade smiled and took that as a sign to grab a random book from his shelf. He knew she would like it because they both liked the same kinds of books.
He picked Isla up from the bed with the book under his arm, and she squealed in surprise.
He laughed at how she reacted and sat her on his lap as he lowered himself into the big chair in the corner of his room. It was in the perfect spot under his big window that went all the way to the floor, which gave it great light.
“Do you know this one?” he asked quietly, almost mumbling.
Isla turned her head a little and nodded while snuggling into his warm chest.
He started to read to her, and his voice sounded like a series of hypnotic rumbles coming from his chest.
Isla couldn’t decide if she liked the sound of his voice or the calming vibrations he made better.
It was hard for her to keep up with the book because she had been crying so much before that she was tired and having trouble keeping her eyes open.
But in the end, she gave in to the darkness and fell into a peaceful sleep.
Kade stopped reading when he felt her relax on his lap. He put the book down and put it on the floor. Then he picked her up and gently tucked her in.
She sighed with happiness and turned to find a cozy spot under the silk sheets.
Before going to his closet to put on a suit, Kade kissed her forehead.
He had some work to do.
*************
Kade asked in a low voice, “Did it work?”
“Yes, sir, everything is going as planned.”
Marco had asked Kade to come to his penthouse. The things they were talking about were very private.
He nodded, happy with what Marco had done.
“Great.”
Kade walked into the kitchen and took out a bottle of scotch.
He held it up to Marco and silently asked if he wanted a drink.
“Sure,” he said, nodding.
Before Kade turned around, he started pouring the drink into two glasses.
He asked, “When was it taken?” as he walked over.
“At 11 p.m. yesterday, the shipment was compromised. It was taken from one of the safe houses while the security team was changing shifts.”
Kade smiled as he gave him a glass and clinked it a little.
“Marco, if your plan works out, you’ll get a promotion. I’m impressed with the work you’ve done so far.” He said.
Marco stood up straight after he said that. It was rare for the boss to say nice things. He was proud to be in that position.
“Thank you, sir.”
Kade took a sip of the drink and liked the burn that stuck to his throat.
“Putting a tracker on the shipment and using it to find the little bastard is a great idea. I wish I had thought of it myself.” He laughed a little and then brought the glass to his lips again.
Marco laughed for a moment, then stopped when Kade’s eyes met his.
Kade said, “You can laugh, Marco.”
He checked his notifications when his phone buzzed and saw that Isla had called him three times.
“Shit,” he said, and then he put his glass down on the breakfast bar.
Marco asked, “Is everything okay, sir?”
Kade raised his hand before calling her back and listening to the phone ring on the other end.
He asked, “Baby, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?” when he heard movement on the other end.
She asked softly, “Where did you go?”
Kade sighed and ran a hand down his face.
“I had to go to work to take care of some things. I thought I would be back before you woke up,” he said.
Before she answered, he heard some more shuffling.
“When are you coming home?” she asked in a soft voice.
The only thing Kade heard, though, was the word “home.” He felt his heart racing in his chest as she spoke, and he answered after a moment.
“Baby, soon,” he said as he ran a hand through his hair.
“Okay,” she said.
There was a minute of silence before she spoke again.
“I love you.”
Kade smiled at what she said.
“And I love you, pretty girl,” he said in a low voice.
When Marco caught him looking, he looked at him and his eyes went right to the wall.
Kade said, “I have to go now.”
“Goodbye,” he heard.