Page 78 of Bartered Innocence

My mother gasps, moving to get up, but my brother gently grabs her arm to keep her seated. Rian brushes my hair away from my shoulder, kissing it softly.

My father pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m so sorry, Isabelle. I’ve—If you ever thought that then I failed you and that was never my intention.”

Sniffling, I twist my fingers in my lap. “I just…I worked so hard to prove I am worthy of the restaurant, but you only expressed how proud you were of the marriage. And then I was just left behind without a second thought.”

“Isabelle,” my mother chokes out, grabbing onto my father’s hand. There’s a sheen in his eyes as he stares at me and he clears his throat.

“The fact that you wanted to take over the restaurant at all makes me choke up with pride, Isabelle. That I created a legacy my child wanted to continue? I’m so proud of you that days before the marriage proposal, I had spoken to António about letting you lead more often. I promise you, it was always going to be yours.”

I appreciate the sentiment, but it surprises me how much it rings hollow, and I realize how much my dreams have changed. Forcing a smile, I swallow down my emotions. “Thanks, Papa. I had hoped to get us out of the Famiglia one day, so I guess I achieved that too.”

Ricky grimaces. “Too soon.”

My mother shushes him and looks at me with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I lean my head on Rian’s shoulder. “I am, Mama. I promise. Why don’t you come stay at the house with us? There’s plenty of room,” I say, and I can feel Rian nodding behind me.

My father frowns, glancing at my mother and then shaking his head. “We’re okay here until we figure out what to do. Ricky—he’s looking into getting some of our stuff and money from the house. Then maybe we’ll look into a place a little closer to you.”

“Let us help. I know it would comfort Isabelle to know you guys are taken care of,” Rian says.

Ricky’s jaw clenches. “Just give us a few more days to think about it, okay?”

I try not to be annoyed by their stubbornness, but I let it go for now and climb off Rian’s lap. “Okay, just call me, please.”

My mother jumps up to give me another hug, and I soften into her body before hugging my father as we exchange kisses on our cheeks. Ricky walks us out to the elevator and Rian pauses before the door.

“If you’re interested, Cillian and Cormac can find some work for you…it may be some shit jobs until they can trust you.”

My brother lets out a hollow laugh. “Starting down at the bottom again?”

My shoulders slump and I hug him. “This is uncharted territory. We’ve all been betrayed, Ricky.”

His arms squeeze me once. “I know, Belle. I’ll think about it, okay? Thanks for the offer.”

Rian nods, pulling me closer to him as we step into the elevator to bring us down to the parking garage. When the doors close, I blow out a breath and lean into my husband’s chest. “What I wouldn’t give to live a normal life.”

He doesn’t say anything, his fingers flexing at my waist. And I know a part of him probably agrees, especially for the sake of any children we may have, but unfortunately we’re all in too deep to leave. No matter how desperately I worked for the opposite, I can’t imagine ever leaving him at this point. I turn my face up, and he leans down, kissing my lips.

“What?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nothing, just looking at you.”

“Thinking about the night you ran out of here like a bat was chasing you?”

A smile pulls at my mouth. “I ran like I slept with a well known mercenary who might have killed me if he found out who I was.”

Rian rolls his eyes. “Death by orgasm, perhaps.”

“Oh my god. Your arrogance, it’s astounding,” I tease.

He tsks. “What did I tell you? You don’t think I can make you come until you pass out? When we get home?—”

I cover his mouth with my hand, giggling. And he growls under it before picking me up with one arm and carrying me to the car, rumbling promises as I laugh.

Chapter32

Rian

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