Chapter 31
ISABELLA
Ithought I’d be at least twenty-eight years old when I would have my dress fitting for my wedding.
But I’m freshly twenty-one, recently not a virgin and already getting married.
To my roommate who is a murderer and some sort of lord or dark prince or something.
“Oh, Isabella! This one is absolutely gorgeous.” Slade’s mom, Angela beams while browsing through each of the dresses.
Angel is here as well, sitting in one of the chairs while scrolling through her phone.
Angel looks just like her mother, with bright blue eyes and dark brown hair. Slade has some similarities to his mom but he probably looks more like his father.
I’ve never seen his dad and I want to learn more about Slade and his father’s history but this morning I didn’t see Slade.
I knew he came into the bedroom because there was steam on the shower glass.
I had breakfast with Angela and Angel before we went to check out the dresses in one of the many rooms in this huge estate.
I’m shocked that Angel is with us because I would expect her to be at school since she looks like she is still in high school because of how young she looks.
Slade said he wants me to try on dresses here since he doesn’t want to risk me leaving the house.
There are a ton of different dresses and I love every single one, especially how elegant they all are. But picking the dresses and knowing I’m being forced into this, it isn’t really the same.
“What are you thinking, dear?” Angela asks, smiling at me.
I force a smile on my face. “There are so many to choose from.”
“I know, it’s a lot to take in. I was in your position when I was your age.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “I met Abraham, Angel and the boys’ dad when I was 20 years old. He was the love of my life, or so I thought.”
“What happened?”
Angela glances behind her, at Angel, who is distracted by her phone. “I found out that he worked for the Bratva.”
My heart pounds hard and fast in my chest as I try not to freak out or call Slade to start yelling at him.
“I’ve heard rumors and stories of the Bratva but I didn’t think it was real. I thought it was all just talk and when I first saw him kill someone, I was terrified.” She grabs my hands.
“Did you try to run?” I ask, hoping she says ‘yes’ because it would make me feel a little better about running, not seeming crazy for doing so.
She nods. “Of course. Any sane person would. But I couldn't escape. I was forced to marry him and after marrying him I saw his true colors. Things only got worse after we had Ryker, Slade’s older brother.”
I’ve seen Ryker around.
He looked like he’s in his late twenties or early thirties when I first saw him. Short beard and a nice haircut. He looks mature and definitely older than Slade.
I know for a fact he works out because you can literally see his biceps through the suit he wears.
Everyone in Slade’s family has perfect genetics.
“How did he get worse?” I ask Angela.
“He just wasn’t acting the same. I knew Abraham had this darkness in him that I was careful of but I never knew he would take his aggression and that darkness out on me.”
I start to worry but I try to hide it.
What if Slade is the same way?
From what Slade has hinted at, his dad wasn’t a good person.
He hated his dad and now that Angela is saying that he was terrible, it makes me wonder how Slade will be when he gets older.
I’m pretty sure Angela can see the concern on my face because she touches my arm and says, “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to scare you with Slade. You have nothing to be worried about when it comes to my son.”
“I like Slade a lot, don’t get me wrong. And I know you’re his mother, I shouldn’t even being talking to you about your son-”
Angela shakes her head. “Darling, it’s okay.
I understand. But with Slade, you really don’t need to worry.
I’ve raised all of my boys with love and care and to show them how to treat people.
Abraham did have Slade and Ryker under his wing more than me.
I did as much as I could to save both of them from turning out like their father.
I think that’s why Landon is a little more level headed since he spent most of his time with me. ”
Slade has a good heart.
I’ve seen it.
I’ve felt it.
But I also know that when Slade wants something he’ll do anything he can to get it.
“How was Slade around his father?”
Angela’s eyes flash with something, a hurtful memory possibly. She sighs and says, “Slade had it worse than the other boys. It’s because he was the youngest so Abraham thought he could manipulate Slade the most.”
“And did he?”
“He tried, but Slade is a strong person. He has a strong heart and knows right from wrong. Don’t get me wrong, he has demons.
Everyone does, but his are louder than most.” She looks back at the dresses.
“Out of all of my sons, Slade has always and will always be the strongest one.
He is a good person with a good heart as I keep saying.
I know you're scared like I was when I was your age but trust me, Slade is the best person you can be with in the kind of world we live in.”
“But what if I don’t want to be in this kind of world?” I ask her, desperate to figure how to get out.
I like Slade, more than I should admit but I love myself more and know what kind of life I want to live.
Angela smiles at me sweetly. “He chose you for a reason, dear. Best thing I can say is try to be patient with Slade. He’s been through a lot and he deserves to be happy.
I know you’ll do the right thing by him but also by yourself.
” She rubs my arm and looks back at the dresses.
“Now enough of this sad stuff, let's pick out the perfect dress for you.