Page 131 of Brutal Collateral

“We’re aligned. You can trust us,” Isabella assures me. “And I’m not asking to probe further into your service record. When you mentioned my women’s center, it got me thinking.”

“I was so intrigued to hear about it,” I say quickly, relieved. “What made you open it?”

“I started the foundation to provide services to women in abusive relationships. My mother...” Isabella chokes up. “My father hurt her.”

Katya looks away with a tight jaw, like that’s her parents’ story, too. Yet, I can tell their husbands adore them.

“I’m sorry,” I offer weakly, yet consider if my father ever raised his hand to my mother. And is it her body in that grave?

“Thank you,” Isabella says, bringing me back to the conversation. “The women’s center offers self-defense classes through a third-party training gym. There are only limited spots and some women have opened up to us that they’re hesitant to trust someone else outside the center. I’ve been looking for an in-house instructor to teach the classes.”

I listen to every word and the picture sharpens more with each syllable. “And you want me to do the training?”

“I hope I’m not overstepping. And I understand now that you’re Griffin’s wife, his needs come first.” Isabella glances at my mid-section. “He’ll want an heir soon. But don’t worry, my husband was the same way. A little brutish, a little demanding. I gave him his princes and he’s been a wonderful husband who fully supports my foundation. I’d love for you to visit the center. Your guards are welcome.”

For the first time, I feel like I can reach out and touch hope in this world. I understand the danger of running off even if Griffin gives me my freedom. I don’t underestimate my brothers’ ability to find me and drag me back. Exactly the way Ares did last year. This time, I will be punished because I defiedhim.

King Ares will see my running off as the ultimate betrayal and disrespect. But I hadn’t been able to claw through the darkness for a better alternative. Something that would give meaning to being a useless queen.

Now, one is in front of me.

I reach out to touch Isabella’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you for thinking of me. I amsointerested.”

“I’ll let you talk to Griffin.” She squeezes my hand.

A part of me wants to bristle that I don’t have to talk tomy husbandto see if it’s okay for meto work. But the mafia doesn’t operate in the real world, and much of the sheltering of women is for protection.

I glance at Katya. “Do you...work at the center?”

Nodding, she says, “I run my own children’s dance studio, but I also offer classes at Izzy’s center. It gives the moms a place to bring the little ones and they get a small break.”

I glance at the man she’s married to, Griffin’s old boss. Admittedly, he’s the most terrifying man I’ve ever laid eyes on. This woman looks happy and loved, and not the least bit beaten down, not even emotionally.

“Here’s my number.” Isabella produces a business card. “It’s a masked number, you’ll have to go through a few steps to get to me.”

“Of course.” I take it. “I... I don’t have a card.”

I don’t have anything.

But after today,that’sgoing to change.

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