Page 87 of Bling

“Courtesy of Mr. Oliver,” he said as he handed it to her. She giggled. Of course he’d found a way to feed her.

As she was closing the door, she heard her phone.

I might not be there to spank you, but I’m still capable of feeding you.

She grinned at his text and unwrapped the sandwich. Holding her phone out in front of her, she snapped a selfie while taking a large bite of the turkey club and sent it to him.

He didn’t reply, but he was likely on the phone with the president or something. The thought made her shake her head. If someone had asked her a year ago if she would know someone who talked to the president of the United States on the phone, she would have laughed and called them crazy.

Her life hadn’t been a bad one, but she definitely grew up poor and had remained that way for most of her adult life. In college, she’d worked hard to keep her student loans low, but the debt was still large. Now, she was dealing with her sister’s bills on top of her own.

Garrett had never known poverty, but she had a feeling he had never really known what it was like to have a loving family either. As irritating and troublesome as they could be sometimes, Isabelle wouldn’t trade her family for all the money in the world. The problem was her family might see her dating Garrett as doing exactly that.

Her family reunion was in a few weeks. How would they feel if she showed up with him? Maybe in an environment like that, they would be able to see what she saw.

The day flew by and soon she was locking the office to head downstairs.

A security guard stopped her. “Ma’am, we’re going to ask you to remain in the building for a little while. We’ve spotted a mysterious vehicle in the lot and we want to make sure it’s safe.”

Isabelle felt her heart speed up, but she nodded and turned to go back upstairs where she called Garrett.

“Isabelle, what’s wrong?”

She relayed what the security guard had said. “You’re sure someone is watching the girls?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I’m sure, Doll. Just hang tight, you’ll be home in no time.”

She paced the office with her phone as worry knotted her stomach.

“Isabelle, sit down.”

She scowled at the phone. “Are you spying on me somehow?”

Garrett laughed. “No. Though that’s not a terrible idea. I can just hear your breathing as you move. Sit down. I’m checking in with the girls’ detail now and everything is fine. They’ve got them picked up and are on their way back to the house.”

She blew out a long breath as she lowered herself into one of the office chairs. In the distance, she heard sirens. Were they coming here? It was difficult to tell, but they were definitely getting louder.

“I’m going to put you on hold for just a minute, Doll.”

She waited in the silence for Garrett to come back on the line. As he did, a knock sounded at the door and she screamed.

“Shhh. It’s OK, Isabelle,” Garrett soothed.

“Ma’am,” the security guard said through the door. “It’s safe now.”

She jumped up to open the door. “Who was it?” she asked, not sure if she was talking to Garrett or the guard.

“It was Darren Gunn, Ma’am. It looks like he was intent on kidnapping you. He is currently in police custody.”

“Does that mean we’re safe?”

Garrett answered before the guard could. “If you’re asking if you can go back to your apartment, not just yet. We still don’t know who he was working with and we don’t know if he’ll get out on bail. We’re going to keep your security pretty tight, but for now, rest easy knowing he’s locked up.”

The guard slipped out to go back downstairs.

“Go home, Isabelle. I’m sorry you were scared, but I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Me too,” she murmured. “I could really use a hug right now.”

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