Page 28 of The Den of Sin
It wasn’t surprising if he sent his men to blow up my building. But I kept those words to myself. Raphael Santos was smart and calculating, unlike his father who was more rash and flew off the handle.
“We knew he’d figure it out.”
“Yeah.”
Sasha didn’t fool me. He wanted to dish revenge on the entire Santos family for killing our father. I could understand the need for revenge and was on the similar path till my priorities shifted. The man that killed our father was dead as well as many others that worked with him. I’d have to be satisfied with that. There was no fairness in our world. We all lost when it came to loved ones. It was a lesson Sasha has yet to learn.
“You are not to make another move,” I told my brother. “I will deal with Raphael. And if you get any more bright ideas, just think of your sister’s safety.”And Isabella’s,I added silently. But I wasn’t ready to reveal that connection yet. “As the head of this family, I forbid you from making any moves without running it by me.”
Inadvertently, Isabella would become too visible if he kept fucking with Santos.
Chapter Ten
Isabella
Ispent the entire day fuming, rage simmering inside of me and Vasili’s words playing on repeat in my head.
You shouldn’t play with wolves.Those were the same words he told me the morning after I gave him my virginity.
Obviously, he kept his word and did not say anything to Tatiana and Sasha. Because those two were still happy to see me. I started regretting coming to New Orleans. Sasha was right; I have been avoiding them. How could I not after what had happened between me and Vasili? The words he dished out, the history between my mother and his father that I never knew.
It was only four in the afternoon and there was so much restless energy within me, I thought I’d burst. I headed outside, despite the humid heat. Maybe it’d melt this energy and anger simmering within me. Tatiana was in the house, messing around with some fashion designs. I really didn’t understand why she studied political science if all her interests always lay in the fashion industry.
It wasn’t as if she had to have a sensible degree. After all, her brother ensured she was well off. I groaned out loud. I didn’t want to think about her brother. That damn devil in expensive clothing. More like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, fooling you into lowering your guard and then striking. Yes, he was everything bad.
I was at the edge of Tatiana’s property and debated whether I should continue walking or turn around and go back. Just as I went to turn around, I heard a familiar voice call out to me.
“Isabella.”
I whipped around and came face-to-face with Ryan. I blinked, expecting to have imagined him there. But he still stood there. His face was scruffed with the shadow of a beard, his hair ruffled, like he shoved his hand through it a hundred times.
He took a step towards me when Adrian appeared out of nowhere, his bulk frame blocking him from getting any closer to me.
“Please, Isabella.” His voice was soft, regret soaking it. “Can we talk? I just want to explain. Give me a chance to explain.”
“You are on private property.” Adrian’s voice was calm, but there was undertone of threat in it.
“It’s fine, Adrian.”
“No, it is not. This is private property, and he cannot step foot on it.”
An irked sigh left me, and I stepped around Adrian. “Fine, then I’ll step off the private property and talk to him.”
“Isabella-”
“Save it, Adrian. I don’t care.”
I strode towards Ryan and his arms came around me, but I gently pushed him away. “We can talk, Ryan. Nothing else.”
He nodded but there was still hope on his face. “My car is right there.” I followed his gaze to an old Chevy truck. I raised my eyebrow in surprise. “I’m incognito,” he murmured. “Remember when we talked about traveling for a week incognito?”
Yes, I remembered. But it wasn’t on the table anymore. He broke my trust, and it wouldn’t come back. I’d question anything he’d tell me from now on.
I felt Adrian’s gaze burning into my back, compelling me not to go talk to Ryan. But it was none of his business, nobody’s business but Ryan’s and mine.
“I don’t think that truck will get you out of the state.” I shook my head at Ryan. But that was him, always going to extremes.
We walked towards the rusty tan truck, parked in the shade. When he opened the door for me to get in, I shook my head.
