Chapter 8 Isabella
I pace the confines of my tiny cottage, my movements a frantic dance to the rhythm of my still-thundering heart. Every nerve ending in my body is alive, tingling with the memory of Ice’s touch. The heat from our encounter wraps around me like the sweltering New Orleans air, thick and unshakeable. My mind replays each moment, each whispered word that fell from his lips as he claimed mine, branding me with a passion that now courses through my veins.
The small room feels even more confining as I try to push away the thoughts, the sensations. How did it come to this? How could I have a dangerous liaison with the man whose very existence spells trouble for my family? Yet, I can’t deny the raw connection, the undeniable pull towards him. It’s a craving, a thirst that refuses to be quenched.
A sudden crunch of gravel outside jolts me from my fevered reverie. My head snaps toward the window just in time to see headlights slicing through the darkness. A car door slams shut, its echo a sharp punctuation to the silence that has fallen over my sanctuary. My pulse quickens, not with desire this time, but with a gnawing sense of dread.
I steal a glance through the sheer curtain, my breath catching in my throat as I recognize Juan’s unmistakable silhouette. His aura radiates authority and power. Even from this distance, I can feel the weight of his presence, the omen of an impending storm.
My pulse hitches as I watch him approach. Each step he takes is a deliberate assertion of dominance, a testament to his role as leader of the cartel. I wonder if he knows, if he somehow found out about Ice and what we did in the VIP room.
I force myself to breathe, to steady the tempest inside me. I must face him with the same implacable facade he wields so effortlessly. But as he stomps toward my door, I know that no amount of preparation will prepare me for what comes next.
He pounds the door with his fist. “Isabella! I know you’re in there.”
I inhale sharply.
“Open it before I kick it in!”
My trembling fingers brush against the cool metal of the doorknob. I twist it open, and the evening’s sticky warmth rushes in to greet me. The smile I plaster on my face feels as brittle as praline, threatening to shatter under the weight of Juan’s scrutiny.
“Juan,” I greet him with feigned cheerfulness while my insides are a knotted mess of nerves. “What’s wrong?”
He stalks past me, walking into the kitchen. His head swivels from side to side as if he’s looking for something… or someone.
“Did something happen?” I ask, following him through each small room as he searches.
“Are you alone?” he demands.
“Of course.”
He glances into my bedroom before returning to the living room. I perch on the edge of the sofa, but he remains standing, towering over me. I instantly regret sitting.
“Isabella.” His voice slices through the tension like a knife, his silhouette darkening the room. He steps closer, the familiar scent of leather and dirt that clings to him permeating the room. Every inch he advances seems to squeeze the space around me, demanding submission.
“Busy day at the warehouse?” he asks, but it’s not a question—it’s an accusation. I’m acutely aware of how his gaze doesn’t waver from mine, sharp and calculating.
I can’t force my tongue to move. Frozen in place, I don’t know what to say because anything I come up with will be a lie, and I think he already knows it.
“Imagine my surprise when I came to check on you and you weren’t there,” he continues, his tone icy enough to send shivers down my spine.
I meet his gaze, willing my eyes to reflect nothing but innocence. “I’ve just been feeling a bit under the weather, that’s all,” I say, hoping my voice carries more conviction than I feel.
“That’s what Pedro said, so I rushed home to check on you. But you weren’t here, were you?”
“No,” I whisper softly.
“Where have you been sneaking off to?” Juan presses, stepping closer now. I can almost feel the heat of his breath, taste the danger in his words. His stare bores into me, threatening to see right through any lies I might dare to tell.
I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling the sting as I scramble for a story to keep Juan at bay. “I was visiting Camila,” I lie. “She’s had some trouble lately and she needed company.”
Camila’s a distant cousin. I doubt Juan keeps in touch with her since she’s not connected to the cartel. I’m hoping he buys my story without too many questions.
“What kind of trouble?” Juan presses, his voice razor-sharp as he prowls closer, the distance between us shrinking with every step. The air thickens with his suspicion, and the weight of his scrutiny is like an anvil on my chest.
“ Sí , her mother’s sick,” I continue, fabricating details as I go. “You know how close they are. She just… needed someone.” The words taste bitter on my tongue, the deceit foreign yet necessary.
“Is that so?” His dark eyes dissect my expression, searching for cracks in my facade. “Tell me more about this ‘visit.’”
I duck my head, feigning humility, while my mind races for convincing particulars. “Her mom’s condition has worsened. I went over with some caldo de pollo and stayed awhile to make sure they’re okay.” I allow a hint of genuine concern to color my tone. In truth, Camila’s mother has been sick, so at least that’s not a lie.
“ Caldo , huh?” He smirks, though there’s no humor in it. “Since when do you play nursemaid?”
“Since always,” I reply, meeting his gaze with all the sincerity I can muster. “Abuela taught me to care for those in need, remember?” I pray he doesn’t see through my thin veil of deceit.
“Listen to me, Bella,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “If you’re lying, if you’re sneaking around behind my back…” He trails off, letting the threat hang heavy in the air.
“I’m not,” I insist, holding my ground despite the tremor that threatens to betray my nervousness. “You have my loyalty, Juan. Always.”
“Good.” His breath fans across my face, hot and laced with the taste of power. “Because betrayal in this family comes with a price, one you don’t want to pay.”
A shiver runs down my spine as I nod, knowing full well the cost of disloyalty. With each heartbeat, the stakes grow higher, and somewhere deep within, I realize that my tangled web of lies has just begun. I swallow hard, the taste of fear mingling with resolve on my tongue.
“I told you, it was just a visit,” I say, praying that Pedro didn’t tell Juan about the other times I left early. “My cousin needed me, so I went. Should I have asked permission?”
“We have no secrets in this family.” Juan’s eyes narrow. “You know the rules.”
“I remember them every day,” I retort, holding his gaze. “I haven’t forgotten where my loyalty lies. It’s with my family, and she’s our cousin. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you’d mind. In fact, I thought you would be happy.”
“You didn’t tell me before you went.”
“You’re a busy man and I didn’t want to bother you with something so inconsequential.”
“Family is important,” he mutters.
“I agree, completely.” I relax slightly, hoping the worst has passed.
“Don’t miss work again.” It’s an order, one he expects to be followed without question. “I will send money to Camila. Let her know it’s coming.”
“ Gracias , Juan. She will be very happy.” I make a mental note to text her so she won’t be surprised. I should go visit soon too, just in case Juan calls to check on her.
The room’s air turns heavy as Juan sits beside me. He leans back, a satisfied grin curling his lips. It’s the smile of a predator that’s cornered its prey, and I brace myself for the strike.
“Good,” he says, and then, almost casually, he drops the bombshell. “I need you at the warehouse because we have plans, big plans.”
“Oh, like what?” I ask, pretending to care.
“Underground Vengeance is building a new clubhouse, but it won’t be standing for long.”
A cold dread grips my heart and squeezes. My breath hitches, and I fight to keep my reaction invisible, knowing any sign of horror could be a death sentence.
“Really?” I manage, feigning nonchalance while my mind reels from the implications of his words.
“ Sí ,” Juan confirms, his cruel smile widening. “It’s time they learn not to mess with Los Serpientes de Cristal once and for all. We blew up their last clubhouse. Now it’s time to do it again.”
I nod, but inside, I’m screaming. I must warn Ice. Somehow, someway, I have to stop this madness before it’s too late.
“Is there a problem?” Juan asks, his voice laced with challenge.
“No problem,” I lie smoothly, offering him a false smile. “Just thinking about how they won’t see it coming.”
“Exactly,” Juan agrees, his voice rich with dark satisfaction.
As he continues to outline his brutal plan, my hands clench into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. I struggle to retain self-control. I imagine fire licking at the wood, and the UVMC clubhouse turning to ash. I see Ice’s charred remains and bite back a scream.
“Isabella, are you even listening?” Juan’s piercing gaze cuts through my thoughts.
“Of course, I’m listening,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. The walls of my cottage feel like they’re closing in, and every word he utters is a thunderclap forewarning destruction.
“Good,” he says, satisfied, oblivious to the turmoil he’s inciting. “Because we’ll need everyone on board.” His eyes scan my face, searching for any hint of dissent.
“What do you mean?” I ask, shocked. He can’t possibly want me to participate in burning down the clubhouse.
“It’s time you saw more of what we do. You will come with us to watch it burn.”
“Do I have to help?”
“Of course not.” He chuckles. “A woman helping, sobre mi cadaver . But I want you to watch. We will…”
I nod, barely listening to the details of his sick plan as I try to play my part in this charade. I can’t let him suspect that my loyalties might lie elsewhere.
“…in three days,” he finishes.
“Understood,” I say, forcing a hint of eagerness into my tone. “They won’t know what hit them.”
“Exactly,” Juan replies, his smile sinister. His confidence sickens me, but I keep my mask firmly in place. “Don’t be late tomorrow. Pedro will tell me if you are.”
“I’m never late.” I tilt my chin up slightly.
“ Adiós, hermana .”
As soon as he leaves, my mind shifts gears. I must warn Ice. Urgency is a living thing inside me, clawing its way up my throat. There’s no question in my mind that I need to contact him immediately, but how? We never exchanged numbers, a precaution against this very kind of complication. And where would Ice be now?
I glance down at where my watch should be, then remember that Vicki has it. Pulling my phone out of my purse, I glance at the time. Velvet closed an hour ago, so Ice will be long gone. Vicki too. But maybe she’s still awake. She put her number in my phone one night, telling me, “Just in case you want to hang out.” I was supposed to call her for a girls’ night out, not to stop a gang war.
After scrolling through my contacts, my thumb hovers over Vicki’s name. There’s no going back after this call. I’m betraying my family to save a man who’s nothing more than a storm of leather and dangerous promises. And hot, ridiculously good sex.
I hesitate, wondering how Vicki can even help me. I doubt she knows where Ice sleeps. At least I hope she doesn’t know. I’ve been assuming I’m the only girl he’s slept with at the club, but I could be completely wrong about that. Still, I have to find a way to warn him.
Suddenly, everything becomes clear. Vicki knows Tank. He knows everyone in UVMC, including Ice. If anyone can get a message to him, it’s Tank. Vicki will definitely have his number. Maybe she’s even with him right now.
I steel my nerves and press the call button. The line rings, and with each passing second, my resolve hardens. I can’t let fear dictate my actions, not when there’s so much at stake.
“Hello?” Vicki’s voice fills the air.
“Oh, gracias a dios ,” I breathe out, relief washing over me. “I need your help. It’s urgent.”
“Isabella? What’s wrong?” she asks.
I hear rustling in the background and a male voice asks, “What’s going on?”
“Is that Tank?” I ask.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Tell him I need to talk to Ice immediately.”
“What’s going on?” Concern tinges her usual carefree tone, and I imagine her green eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“What did she say?” Tank asks in the background.
“She wants to talk to Ice. Says it’s an emergency,” Vicki says to him.
“It’s urgent, I need to see him right now.” My words tumble out, each one heavy with the weight of what I’m about to reveal.
“Is this about whatever happened in the VIP room?” Vicki’s question drags up memories of raw passion and stormy sex, but there’s no time to dwell on that that now.
“No,” I cut in sharply. “It’s about something my brother is about to do to the club.” I can feel the gravity of the situation pulling at me, an invisible force grounding me to this pivotal moment.
“What’s about your brother?” Tank’s gruff voice comes through the phone.
“He’s planning to attack the club. I need to see—”
“Shit,” Tank curses as something crashes in the background. His voice is muted for a second as he calls, “Babe, get my pants.” Then it gets louder as he says, “Isabella, meet us in the parking lot of Velvet. I’ll call Ice and tell him what’s going on.”
“Right now?” I ask.
“Yes, right now,” he says, sounding exasperated.
Relief mingles with a fresh surge of adrenaline. “Give me thirty minutes.”
“See you soon.”
Ending the call, I slide the phone into the back pocket of my jeans. I glance around the cottage, its quaintness a stark contrast to the gritty reality I’m entangled in. There are choices we make that can’t be undone, paths that once taken alter everything. This is one of them.
With resolve solidifying in my chest, I head into my bedroom to change out of my pajamas. Every step is a silent vow to keep Ice safe. I’ll stop Juan, protect Ice, protect what little good is left in this twisted world of ours.
I slip into my leather jacket, the one that hugs my curves and makes me feel like a warrior. It’s silly, but I need that armor as I prepare to navigate the treacherous waters beyond my cottage. My hands are steady, but my heart’s a wild thing in my chest.
Glancing out my bedroom window toward my brother’s house, I look for any sign of movement. The compound is shrouded in shadows, with only the occasional flicker of a guard’s cigarette breaking the darkness. Juan might be under the impression all is well, but I’m not naive enough to think he wouldn’t have eyes on me. Still, something tells me tonight I’ve got a window of opportunity, and I can’t waste it.
I consider grabbing a duffel bag and stuffing it with essentials, just in case. But no, that would be giving in to paranoia. If things go south, if I can’t come back… I push the thought away. I’m not running, I’m setting things right. Ice needs to know what Juan is planning, and I’m the only one who can tell him. No one will ever know that I warned Ice. If UVMC happens to have extra security for the next few weeks, Juan can’t possibly trace it back to me.
When I reach the front door, my hand hesitates on the doorknob. A final moment of doubt whispers through me. What if Juan suspects something? What if this is the last time I step out of the relative safety of my home?
I shake off the fear. I must believe my brother’s arrogance has blinded him, and that his confidence in his little sister’s obedience is my secret weapon.
“I’ll be home soon.” At least, I hope I will.
I step out, letting the door close with a soft click behind me. The night air is thick with the scent of the bayou, mingling with the distant sounds of New Orleans nightlife. It’s a familiar symphony, one that now seems to carry a sinister undertone.
As my car purrs to life, I look at the windows in Juan’s house. They remain dark. It’s a good sign, but I won’t breathe freely until I get through the gate.
The guards seem unfazed. They wave me through without bothering to exit the guard shack. That tells me everything I need to know. Juan still trusts me, or he would have instructed them not to let me pass.
“He won’t even notice I’m gone,” I whisper, praying that it’s the truth.
I reach the edge of the compound, where Los Serpientes de Cristal’s world ends and the rest of New Orleans begins. I glance back once, wondering if this will be the last time I see my home. Then, with the image of Ice’s piercing gaze etched in my mind, I drive away. This is the first time I’ve tried to interfere with my brother’s business, but I must step in. I can’t sit around doing nothing while he destroys more lives. It’s not right, and it ends now. I just hope I don’t pay the ultimate price for my disobedience.