Page 39 of Bling

Chapter Eleven

Isabelle left at three that day, as had been her habit. When she walked in the front door of her apartment, her father leaned against the kitchen counter looking very stern.

“Hi, Daddy. Sorry about the mess in the living room. You didn’t clean that up, did you?”

He shook his head. “No. I didn’t have to. A man knocked on the door and said Mr. Oliver sent him to clean it up.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes.

“Why is this man buying you clothes, Isabelle?”

She dropped her gaze. “I work for him. He wants me to dress a certain way for work. Tonight, I’m accompanying him to an event that requires something much nicer than I can afford. It’s a perk of the job.”

He shook his head with disapproval. “You’ll have to pay for all of that and you know it. Men like that don’t buy women pretty things without expecting something in return. Just remember to keep your wits about you and your legs closed.”

Her mouth dropped open. Jacob Alvarado was never one to talk about sex with his children.

“I’m sad you think so little of me, Daddy.” There was no way she could tell him she’d already slept with Garrett.

Her father just tightened his arms across his chest and scowled. “You’re a good girl, Isabelle. It’s men like Garrett Oliver I don’t trust. He may have given you and Uncle Henry and some of the others their jobs back, but he can change his mind in the blink of an eye if he doesn’t think he’s getting a good return on his investment. And trust me, Isabelle,” he said when she opened her mouth to speak. “The clothes, the promotion, taking you to a fancy event, those are all investments.”

She didn’t want to hear any more and started to say as much when the front door opened.

“Hi Aunt Izzy, hi Grandpa. Did you know they’re putting gates at the entrances and exits?” Sarah asked.

Isabelle frowned. “Really? That must be what the construction crew was up to this morning.”

The girls both shrugged and started digging in the fridge.

“I have to get ready to leave, Daddy. Make sure the girls do their homework.”

“Don’t get in over your head, Isabelle,” he admonished as she made her way down the hall to her room.

Feeling like a belligerent child, she decided to get dressed at home instead of on the plane. When she came out of the bedroom, her father was still in the kitchen and his eyes softened for just a moment before he frowned.

Finally, he opened his arms and gave her a hug. “You’re beautiful, just like your mother. It’s no wonder this Mr. Oliver has taken a shine to you.”

Isabelle blushed at her father’s version of praise.

“Where are you going? You look like a movie star,” Sarah said.

Isabelle gave her a one-armed hug and smiled. “Just some stuffy dinner with my boss, sweetie. I’m sure it will be dull.”

“I hope the paparazzi are there. You could wind up on TMZ.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes. Both girls were obsessed with celebrity gossip.

“Make sure you get your homework done, girls. Don’t forget Uncle Henry is taking you to see your mom in the morning before school.”

Catarina scowled, but Sarah was happy to be visiting her mother in prison.

At five-forty-five, Garrett messaged to say he was almost there, so Isabelle stepped out onto the porch. There was no way he was coming inside her shabby apartment.

The car that pulled up was one she hadn’t seen before. A slightly above average SUV instead of the flashy one his driver had been using. At least she knew he was listening.

Garrett stepped out and her mouth went dry. The tux he wore was bespoke and there were hints of yellow sparkling at his wrists—the cufflinks Jasmine gifted him.

“Good evening, Miss Alvarado. You look stunning.”

---