Page 385 of Rosetti Family New York
"At least six months, that’s how far back I checked. Could be longer."
I hang up and slip the phone back into my pocket. Isabella is staring at me with those wide green eyes, and I can practically hear her world reshaping itself.
"He's been watching you," I say quietly. "Long before you disappeared."
"That's..." She shakes her head, honey-blonde hair slipping from its perfect arrangement. "That's not possible."
"Isn't it?"
She stares at me, war happening in her eyes. Green flecked with gold, swimming with unshed tears. But there's something else there too. Something that makes my pulse kick up.
"I need to go home," she says finally, her voice barely a whisper.
"No."
"Matteo."
"No." I flip the coin one last time, catching it in my palm. The metal is warm from my skin, and I can feel the tension in the room shift. "You're not going back to him."
"You can't keep me here forever."
"Watch me." I take a step toward her, and she doesn't back away. That's when I know I've got her, even if she doesn't know it yet.
"This is insane."
"Maybe. But I'm also right." I take another step, and now I'm close enough to see the gold flecks in her eyes, to smell that sweet scent that's been driving me crazy. "You're not ready to face the truth about him yet. But you will be. And when you are, I'll be here."
"What if I'm never ready?"
"Then I'll wait."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
I reach out and trace one finger along her jawline. She sucks in a sharp breath, and I feel her tremble. But she doesn't pull away. Her lips part slightly, and I can see her pulse hammering at her throat.
"You're not his property," I murmur, my voice low and rough. "You never were."
I lean closer, until my mouth is almost touching her ear. Her breath catches, and I can feel the heat radiating from her skin.
"You're mine now, Isabella. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be."
I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. They're wide, scared, but there's something else there. Something hungry that she's trying to hide.
Then I step away, leaving her standing there with her chest rising and falling rapidly, her lips parted, her whole body trembling with something that isn't entirely fear.
"Sweet dreams, princess," I say, and walk away.
Behind me, I hear her sharp intake of breath, and I smile. She's not ready to choose me over Chase yet. But her body already has.
And that's a start.
12
Isabella
He's been gone for hours.
