Page 20 of Enigma: The Final Chapter
All the weight I’ve been carrying on my shoulders is suddenly alleviated with three bangs of a judge’s gavel on a wooden podium. Sweet relief washes through me as I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting hard to keep my tears at bay.
“All rise,” requests the bailiff.
I stand to my feet, my knees wobbling so much they clang together. An excited and immature squeal escapes my lips as I wrap my arms around Regan’s shoulders when the judge leaves the courtroom. Regan is taken back by my overfriendliness.
“Thank you,” I whisper into her ear.
“I’m not the one you should be thanking.”
I don’t need to spin around to know who she's gesturing her head to. I felt his presence the instant he walked into the courtroom. A man with an impressive aura like Isaac doesn’t need an introduction. His stature exudes from him in imperceptible waves. Even without seeing him, my body is conscious of his every move.
When my head flings to the back of the courtroom, dizziness clusters in my brain. Not just from my foolhardy movements but because of the mouth-watering smirk carved on Isaac’s perfectly etched mouth. The fiery spark that was kindled in his eyes earlier is even more paramount. No doubt, he’s feeling the same serene sentiment I'm experiencing. All the obstacles that were impeding us being together have been removed, clearing the path for us to create a stable, solid relationship that will survive any storm.
My breathing labors when Isaac scoots out of the bench seat and ambles toward me. His long strides close the distance between us quickly. After banding his arms around my waist, he pulls me in close to his body. All the nerves juddering my insides soothe when he presses his lips against mine. His kiss is possessive and claiming while also passionate. He nips my lower lip before his tongue soothes the sting of his bite, not caring that we're standing across from a man who mere minutes ago accused me of only bedding him in an attempt to net him in an elaborate FBI sting.
When the false statement fired off the DA’s tongue, I nearly vaulted from my chair, wanting to vehemently deny his claims, but then I remembered Isaac knows me, he knows me better than anyone ever has, so he’d never believe a word dribbled from the vindictive DA’s tongue.
When Isaac inches back, my heart is bursting at the seams, and my panties are drenched. It’s so surreal he can calm me while turning me on at the same time. No man has ever had this type of power over me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love him so much, I feel like I need him in my life just to breathe. Even when he is this close to me, it’s hard to rein in my desire to be possessed by him.
“Are you ready to go home?”
Just him speaking has my insides aching for him to kiss me again, but I nod instead.
A few moments later, we’re following Regan out of the courtroom door. I’ve just notice Alex standing at the side, talking on a cell phone when Ryan steps into view, startling me.
“Sorry.” His smiles, exposing the dimples in his top lip.
Isaac and Ryan greet with a shake of hands before Ryan devotes his attention to me. “I was wondering if I could have a minute of your time?”
Before I can answer, Isaac jumps back into the conversation. “What’s this regarding? Does Isabelle need a lawyer present, or—”
“No, it’s not related to any prosecution of Isabelle.” Ryan’s tone lowers to ensure the people milling in the hallway don’t overhear his next comment. “It pertains to her kidnapping yesterday.”
Isaac’s stance stiffens before he gestures for Ryan to lead the way. Regan follows closely behind us, her composure altering from friend to kick-ass lawyer the instant Ryan requested to speak to me.
We end up in the room I was initially taken to after my arraignment. It’s as cold and unwelcoming as it was back then. When Ryan gestures for me to take a seat at the table, I remain standing, trying to portray a strong front. It would be better if I could stop fidgeting.
Isaac stills my hand fiddling with my dress by enclosing it within his. Just his skin against mine appeases my agitation.
“Can we get this over quickly?” Regan folds her arms in front of her chest before cocking a brow. “My client has been through a traumatic weekend, so she wants to go home to recover.”
Ryan nods as his eyes turn to me. “The gentleman who kidnapped you has agreed to give us the name of his abettor and other vital information if you'll speak with him.” His eyes shift from me to Isaac. “He wants to talk to her alone.”
I nod to Ryan’s request at the same time a stern “No” escapes Isaac’s lips. His tone makes it clear there will be no further discussion on the subject, but I still peer at him, pleading for him to reconsider.
He deems Enrique a threat to my safety, but I know there's something more to Enrique’s motive for kidnapping me. Besides, I won’t be able to move on from my ordeal until my questions are answered, and the only man who can answer them is Enrique.
“Isaac—”
“No, Isabelle. This isnotnegotiable. You're not speaking to him.” His tone is low and dangerous as his anger rises.
“He will lead us to the police officers who assaulted Isabelle if she talks to him. We’ll be able to bring their bodies home to their families before Christmas.”
My eyes dance between Ryan and Isaac, shocked by Ryan’s confession. “What bodies?”
The longer they remain quiet, the more tears burn my eyes. I don’t know what hurts more—the fact Isaac is still harboring secrets from me, or that he doesn’t think I can handle the truth. I'm stronger than Isaac thinks I am. My uncle raised me to be a strong, opinionated woman, and it’s time for him to learn that.
“I’ll talk to him—”
