by Cali MacKay
“Man…what the hell are you thinking? You know better than that—and you cannot go there.” Colton shook his head, looking at me like I’d lost my mind. “Not only is she a client, she’s way out of your league. The girl is probably used to dating Ivy League trust fund billionaires. And the Blackthorns may have money, but ours was earned, not inherited—and in their world, that makes a difference.”
“I know I’ve only known Isabelle for a few days, but I swear, I don’t think she’s like that.” Though maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part. “If anything, I’d bet that mother of hers doesn’t let her out from under her thumb long enough for her to date anyone.”
Colton shrugged. “You’re probably right. I doubt there are many people who’d win an argument with that woman. And after a lifetime of that? You saw what happened. Even when the poor girl mustered a bit of fight in her, she didn’t stand a chance. Clearly, whatever Mommy Dearest says, goes.”
I hated that for Isabelle. Everyone should have the freedom to live the life they wanted for themselves, without having another control or belittle them for those decisions. And though I should probably reserve judgment, given that I hadn’t been with the Rutherfords long, I’d met plenty of people like Elena, and controlling others was how they got their kicks and made themselves feel good about themselves.
I’d been lucky enough to have great parents, despite the fact that my father had lived his life skirting the law. Yet they’d loved me and my brothers and had only ever wanted our happiness—and that made the difference between Isabelle’s mom and my own all the more drastic.
Lost in thought, I hadn’t been paying attention to the amount of time that had passed, but the moment I saw Isabelle come down the hallway, I pulled myself up, standing taller, mesmerized and transfixed as she approached us.
By the gods, the woman was stunning—and I didn’t even think she knew it.
The dress she wore hugged her curves perfectly, and though it was a fairly simple sleeveless cocktail dress, it looked like someone had dipped her in starlight, as the fabric shimmered from silver at her shoulders, down to navy, where the dress ended just above her knees, showing off her long legs, made all the longer by the heels she wore. She was wearing makeup, but it was done with a gentle touch, so she looked perfectly kissed by nature, instead of overdone, while her hair was simply pulled back into a ponytail, leaving her face framed by shaggy bangs that made her look both sexy and adorable.
I had to bite my tongue not to tell her how gorgeous she looked, knowing that I’d have a hard time masking the need she was stirring in me. It’s not as though I hadn’t been with my fair share of women, and there were more than a few who’d happily keep me company at a moment’s notice. But they weren’t who I wanted. Not at the moment, anyway. Because for now? I was far too intrigued by the woman standing before me—and it went well beyond her looks.
Colton took the lead, after a quick glance in my direction that held far too much scrutiny—not that my cousin was usually much better about these things. “We’re ready to go when you are, Isabelle. The car is still waiting for us around the front.”
“Please call me Izzy. Isabelle always sound so formal.” She looked perfectly poised, and though it was subtle, she seemed a bit awkward and uncomfortable all dressed up, as if she’d rather be back at the lab than heading off to some fancy event. “I promise, we won’t stay long. I hate these things. We’ll only stay long enough to make my mother happy, and then you can head home for the night. You two have had a long day.”
I took a step toward her, as if pulled by some unseen force though I resisted the urge to reach out and take her hand, wanting to reassure her. “It’s our job, Izzy. And as far as clients go, you’re not exactly taxing us with your demands or your schedule, and we have more than enough men in our security firm to watch you, and your mother, around the clock.”
“Will it be the two of you again tomorrow?”
Did she sound hopeful? Or was it just wishful thinking on my part?
“Yes. Colton and I will be back in the morning to relieve the night shift. It’s best to keep things consistent. Makes it easier to learn your routine. That way, we can easily pick up anything that might be out of the norm.” Sometimes it was the tiniest of details that might alert us to a potential danger—a detail that might easily be overlooked by someone who didn’t know the client well enough. And though there was always a learning curve at the start of the job, we would do all we could to get up to speed as quickly as possible.
She gave us an easy smile that lit up her green eyes. “That makes sense. And I’m glad that the two of you will be back tomorrow. I like to get to know the people wandering in and out of my life, and that’s easier to do if people stick around. Shall we go?”
“As you wish.” Colton nodded and led the way to the door, stepping out into the night air and making sure everything looked okay before checking in with the driver and then grabbing the car door. He held it open so that we could make a quick entrance, leaving her exposed for as little time as possible.
I didn’t know how real the threat was, but we weren’t taking any chances. Threats had been made, and whether or not anyone followed through on them didn’t matter. We treated it as if each threat was viable and that whoever was making the threat would follow through on it. It was the only way for us to keep our clients safe, and their lives depended on our competency—which meant that I really needed to get my head screwed on straight and not be distracted by the pretty girl I was supposed to be guarding.
Not that it would be an easy feat to accomplish. Something about her had gotten under my skin, and with me guarding her nearly every day for the foreseeable future, it’s not as though I’d be able to stop thinking about her. I just need to find a way to distance myself from her mentally and emotionally, while being available to her on a professional level.
At least that was the plan.
Yet it seemed to me that my best laid plans always went to shit, so only time would tell how this would all play out. It would be stupid of me to mess this up, given that I worked with family, and it was a damn good job too.
But people didn’t exactly think things through when it came to love, sex, or money. And though I had no interest in her money, and wasn’t necessarily interested in falling in love, I wouldn’t be a hot-blooded male if I wasn’t interested in sex.
So I sat by Izzy’s side and did my best to behave myself, even though she was just a heartbeat away and looking devastatingly gorgeous.
Chapter Six
Isabelle
I took Slater’s hand as he helped me out of the vehicle and escorted me into the gallery. Once safely inside, he and Colton stepped to the side, doing their best to watch me while remaining unobtrusive, even though I would rather have them with me, since I preferred their company a million times over to anyone else who was already here. I had no interest in discussing galas and soirées or where so-and-so was vacationing and what my plans were for the upcoming holidays. It’s not like any of them cared anyway. It was all just gossip and trying to one-up each other for power and status—none of which I had any interest in.
It only took but a moment for my mother to spot me, her own bodyguards lingering just out of the way. And though she wouldn’t do anything so extreme as to wave me over, ignoring her would only incur her bitter wrath. Steeling myself, I headed over to where she was, knowing that the sooner I dealt with her and put in my time, the sooner I’d be able to get out of here and head back home.
She finished chatting with James Wallace III, and then pulled me aside, her nails digging into my arm as I fought the urge to yank myself free of her grip. “You’re late, Isabelle. Though I suppose I should be grateful you showed up at all, even if I gave you plenty of notice.”
I bit back the sarcastic remark dancing on my tongue, knowing no good would come from arguing with my mother, especially in public. “Well, we’re here now, and clearly the event is far from over so let’s just write this of
f as fashionably late. But if you’d rather, I’m happy to just head home, especially since I had a busy day working at the lab, and my work there is far more important than gallery openings.”
I was trying to make a real difference in the world. Not that my mother cared, or had any interest in my work or in the affairs of the world beyond how they related to her sphere of influence. But that wasn’t me. I was far more like my father, who knew that happiness didn’t come from wealth, but that if you could put that wealth to good use, to make the world a better place, rather than lining your coffers, that might offer a bit of happiness that went beyond just your own.
My mother rolled her eyes at my statement. “Of course… Your work at the lab. Because it’s clearly far more important that you waste your time tinkering with nonsense, even in the midst of a crisis. Someone wants us dead, and you just care about your little invention. Never mind how much this has upset me. But I suppose you’d be free to do whatever you want if I was finally gone.”
“Oh…so my work is just too much, but a gallery opening is perfectly acceptable.” It was impossible for me not to roll my eyes at her. It was always one drama or another. And if it wasn’t that, then she was finding new ways of making me feel guilty for imagined slights. As if I would be happy to see her dead, when all I really wanted was for her to find a bit of happiness with the life she had, instead of finding joy in making me feel I was never good enough and manipulating me into doing her bidding. “And please don’t imply that I want you to come to harm. That’s nothing but a cruel untruth and you know it.”
She waved me away. “Don’t make it sound like you care, Isabelle. You only ever loved your father.”
It hurt me that she would even speak those words, given that she was the only parent I had left, yet she didn’t care as long as she got the upper hand. Tears stung my eyes and I forced down the lump in my throat, shaking my head as I walked away from her, doing my best to compose myself before anyone noticed that I was upset.
Yet someone did notice. Slater was immediately at my side, gently taking my elbow and guiding me to a far corner of the gallery where I could have a bit more privacy. When he spoke, he kept his voice down so that only I could hear. “Are you okay, Izzy?”
All I could do was nod, knowing that my emotions would get the best of me if I tried to speak. He snagged me a flute of champagne from one of the waiters who walked past us, handing it to me once we were tucked out of the way. I took a sip, the bubbles feeling far too cheerful in comparison to the way I felt. Yet having Slater close by certainly helped, though it was embarrassing to have him see me so emotional. And over what? My mom’s stupid games. One would think I would be used to them by now, yet she still managed to get to me, which I supposed was why she continued to go there, knowing she could press my well-worn buttons and get a rise out of me whenever I’d “upset” her.
“Thank you. I’m fine now. And the collection…the artwork…it really is quite lovely.” I glanced around the room, taking in the art in a futile attempt to make my words seem more sincere, despite the fact that Slater knew I was upset and there was no hiding it.
“If you’d like to go, I can have the car brought around.” His brow furrowed under the strain of some unknown tension, though if I had to guess it was because he had a whole lot to say, and instead was doing his best to hold back his words and opinion.
That was the one thing about Slater… He seemed to have a hard time not speaking his mind—a trait I was actually quite grateful for, since far too many people only told me what they thought I wanted to hear. Except for my mother, of course, whose goal was entirely different.
“I suppose I should stay since I’ve taken the time to actually put on a dress and show up. Besides…it can’t get too much worse, right?” Maybe if I told myself lies, I might actually believe them. So I managed a smile, knowing that at the very least I had Slater close at hand, watching my back.
“No, things won’t get any worse, because I’m not going to let them.” The protective fierceness in his voice caught me off guard, especially since it sounded like he truly believed what he’d just said, and they weren’t just hollow words spoken to set my mind at ease. “If you need anything at all, Izzy…I’ll be just a step away. Just glance in my direction, and I’ll be right there for you.”
“I truly appreciate it.” It might be silly, but having him close by set my mind at ease, even if I was only dealing with my mother and people I’d known most of my life.
Like Tansy Gilbert, who was wandering over toward me, looking over Slater from head to toe as he slipped away to guard me from a distance. Tansy air-kissed me on each cheek, as I tried once again not to roll my eyes, since it was clear that the only thing she was really interested in was Slater.
“Isabelle… It’s been so long. I’m so glad you’re finally back in Seattle, though it’s just horrible what you’re going through with the death threats. And that man you were speaking to…is he your security detail? Lucked out on that one, didn’t you? Oh my—there’s two of them. Lucky girl. You’ll have to introduce me, now won’t you. What security firm are you using? I might have to get a few guards of my own, if you know what I mean.” She winked at me and laughed, finally taking a breather from her monologue as her gaze remained glued on Slater and Colton.
“It’s been too long, Tansy. Do make sure to stop by. My mother would love to see you too, I’m sure.” Not that I expected Tansy to come calling. She usually didn’t bother with anything more than a simple hello, which made her motives all too clear. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m starting to get a bit of a headache, and might call it an early night.”
“Can’t blame you there. With those two watching over me? I’d be heading home early too.”
Now to deal with my mother. I could simply slip away when she wasn’t looking, but given our current circumstances, I didn’t want her worrying that something had happened to me. Not that she’d ever truly cared about my well-being before.
Worry about what other people might say about us, or what they may think? Of course.
But worry about her daughter? That would be asking just a little too much of her.
The gallery wasn’t so large that you’d lose anyone, and I immediately spotted my mother, chatting and laughing with an acquaintance of hers. I waited until she’d finished her conversation, and then pulled her aside. “I’m heading home. It’s been a long day, I’m exhausted, and quite frankly, the security company you hired has told us time and again that being here is a bad idea. So if you have any sense of self-preservation, you’ll go home too.”
“That’s nonsense. And you just got here. You can’t go, Isabelle. It’s rude and unseemly to show up at a party and then to leave just minutes after you’ve arrived.” She looked mortified, though I wasn’t terribly surprised. “I don’t know why you insist on doing this to me.”
“The only thing I’m doing is letting you know that I’m going home—and it isn’t a courtesy I needed to extend. So please don’t take it as a personal affront, Mother. It’s not meant to be.”
“Well, I don’t see why I shouldn’t take it as such, when I only asked you for this one small favor.”
Chapter Seven
Slater
I watched as Izzy spoke to her mother. And though I didn’t know what they were talking about, it was clear things weren’t going well. Yet before I could swoop in and save her, she walked away and straight toward me and Colton, upset but holding it together. “I think I’d like to go home now.”
I had to resist the urge to reach out and comfort her, knowing I was already overstepping. “It’ll be just a moment to call the driver and have them pull around.”
It was clear Izzy had managed to wrangle some independence from her mother, like working at the lab. But if I had to guess, that little victory had been hard fought for, and her mother still tried to dictate how Izzy should live her life, doing her best to manipulate her daughter into doing her bidding.
And it may be
none of my business, but I decided in that moment that if I could help Izzy gain a bit more independence from her mother, so that she could live the life she truly wanted, then I was going to do just that. And maybe she didn’t need my help, but at the very least she’d know I was there and I had her back.
Colton called the driver to come around as we escorted Izzy through the people toward the front of the gallery, though I held her back as we waited, not liking how exposed she might be with the gallery’s storefront made almost entirely of glass. She’d be an easy target, since the room was well-lit, and we wouldn’t be able to see the threat coming, given how dark it was outside.
Yet before we could leave, Elena approached Izzy, Emerson and Hunter trailing behind her. “Will you be coming to Sunday dinner? Or should I expect you to simply show up for a few minutes before leaving?”
I gritted my teeth to keep from saying anything, knowing it was none of my business, and hoping more than anything that Izzy would stand up to her.
Izzy shrugged, clearly frustrated, but not wanting to make a scene. “I don’t know, Mother. Are you going to harass me the whole time I’m there? Because if that’s your plan, then I may just happen to be busy on that day.”
Suddenly, the glass of the gallery storefront shattered into a million pieces as a gunshot rang out.
I leapt onto Izzy, dropping her to the ground and shielding her with my body, as chaos ensued. Emerson shielded Elena, while Hunter pulled out his weapon, trying to figure out where the shooter was hiding, while Colton called nine-one-one for help.
Screams added to the chaos as everyone tried to take cover. But that was when I realized just how much trouble we were in.
Izzy’s mother…she’d been hit.
Knowing that the shooter may not be done, I grabbed Izzy, staying crouched as I got us to our feet, desperate to get her out of there, trying my best to shield her as Colton joined us and we headed toward the back of the gallery toward the emergency exit. Colton was already on the phone with the police as I tried to calm Izzy while she struggled in my arms, trying to get to her mother.
