Chapter 46
SLADE
It’s Saturday and Becky leaves tomorrow.
It’s been three days since Isabella and I had our argument.
Three days since I killed that fucking bastard.
Three days since Isabella last talked to me.
I’m trying.
I’m trying to reason with her and explain to her and be there for her but every single time she ignores me.
At night when I get into bed and she’s awake, she rolls over to face away from me and falls asleep.
When I know that she is in a deep sleep I’ll pull her next to me just so I can feel her and then I leave right before she wakes up. Whenever I’m in the kitchen she’ll avoid eye contact with me. If I ask her a question, she straight out ignores me.
I’ve tried flirting with her over text but that doesn’t do anything either.
Keep ignoring me and I’ll chase you down and edge you until you're begging, avtor.
I’m starting to get annoyed with the attitude. Drop it.
You know, I never thought that you would start acting like a child. Not very mature, Isabella.
You won’t be so silent when you’re bouncing on my dick as I make you cum.
Can you please just talk to me?
Isabella doesn’t get it.
She doesn’t understand my world and how we do things here.
“What are you thinking so hard about, mladshiy brat?” Landon asks.
Ryker left on a work trip a little bit ago.
He told us that he was going away for an assignment and not to expect him anytime soon.
So I’m stuck with my fuckwit brother, Landon.
He has nothing better to do in this country so that’s why he’s at my house bothering me.
I’m surprised he’s not back in New York stalking a certain brunette.
“None of your business,” I mutter, as I scroll through photos on my phone.
They are all pictures of Isabella.
I’m acting like a high schooler who just got dumped by his girlfriend.
It’s pathetic.
“Your face looks very similar to how I used to look.”
I furrow my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
Landon smirks. “You look like I did when she broke my heart.”
My jaw ticks and I glare at him.
“It can’t be broken if there is nothing to break,” I say.
“I thought the same thing. Until she actually broke my heart.”
I run my hand over my face. “I’m not doing this shit with you, Landon.”
“What? You don’t want a brother bonding moment?” he playfully teases.
Landon will never get over his first love. He still checks up on her seven years later.
I don’t know what his plan is but I know he is going to get her back. The how and when is the question.
“No. Your advice sucks.” I glance back down at my phone and read emails instead of staring at pictures.
Most of the emails I have are about kills or people who want to be allies. I really only respond to the emails about the kills because those interest me. Making allies and building a huge empire myself are a bore since the business side has never had my attention.
It was all about the killing and the action.
Ryker is good with the business side of things.
He never likes getting his hands dirty.
So it’s surprising he is going on a long trip for a mission.
I’m good with killing, better than my brothers.
My dad trained me to be the way I am while he left Landon off to the side since he’s the middle child and then Ryker, he taught all of the important stuff like tactics when it comes to business, how to be sneaky, which organizations to look out for.
Landon surprisingly is good with killing and business even though he wasn’t taught anything by our dad. So, I guess my dad not focusing on Landon benefited Landon.
Landon is smart but he’s also fucking annoying.
“Let her go, Slade.”
I look up at Landon, glaring daggers at him. If looks could kill, he'd be at the bottom of the ocean. “What did you just say to me?”
“Let. Her. Go,” he says slowly, making sure I hear every word. “Let her go. Give her the time away from you that she wants. Give her space.”
I stand from my desk as I pull my gun out of my waistband. I aim it at him, but Landon doesn’t look affected.
He has a blank face as if this is just another tantrum I’m pulling.
“Leave before I fucking shoot you for suggesting that.”
“You forget that I had to let the love of my life go.” Landon tilts his head.
“I had to let her go because if I didn’t she would have hated me.
I would have had no chance of winning her.
You’re playing at this all wrong.” Landon walks towards me, grabs the gun, and sets it down on the desk.
“You want her to love you? Want her to want you? Then let her go, Slade.”
My jaw clenches and my entire body feels like it’s going to erupt.
I don’t want to fucking let her go.
I found the one person I actually care about and fell for her and now Landon is telling me to let her go.
I nip my bottom lip, thinking.
“If you keep her here, she’ll hate you. Trust me. Look at what happened with mom and dad.”
Out of us three brothers, Landon would know since he is the only one who has had a serious relationship.
I want to trust him.
I’m thinking about the possibilities but then also the consequences of me doing that.
“And if I let her go, what if I don’t get her back?”
“You’ll get her back. You just need to give her the time she’s asking for. This is what love is about, compromise.”
I shake my head at him.
He lost the only girl he loved and he’s doing nothing to get her back
He hasn’t been in a relationship in like seven years.
“Are you still going after her?” I ask,
Landon smirks. “It’s her or no one. I’m getting the girl back, Slade. I’m just taking the long way to do it.”
Difference between Landon and me is that I have no fucking patience.
—
I already had Niko make flight arrangements for Isabella.
Her clothes are packed and her shit is in the car.
I’m having Becky and her take my jet back to New York.
I told Becky about Isabella leaving with her and she got really happy before asking me why I was doing all of this.
I told her it didn’t matter and to be ready for the car to leave as soon as Niko gets here.
I’m giving Niko the heads up right now because as soon as I tell Isabella, I want her fucking gone before I change my mind and keep her locked up here.
She’s in the library, reading when I walk in.
Isabella’s eyes lift to me before going back to reading her book.
I stride over to her and sit down on the couch.
She places the book mark on the page and closes her book, about to get up before I stop her.
“I need you to listen to me very carefully,” I say, calmly.
I know she’s probably freaking out over my changed tone rather than how I usually am, desperately trying to flirt with her and get her attention.
“The car Becky is taking to the airport leaves in ten minutes. I want you to get in the car and leave.”
Isabella furrows her eyebrows at me and finally fucking talks after not talking to me for almost four days now. “What?”
“I want you to get in the car and leave for the airport with Becky. Your bags are packed, and I’ll have a car waiting for you outside of JFK to take you to the apartment.”
“You’re letting me leave?” She stands up, still keeping her eyes on me.
I stare up at her from my spot on the couch. “Yes. You now have eight minutes. If you don’t leave now Isabella, I will keep you here and I won’t let you go.”
“Why are you letting me leave?” Isabella asks, sounding shocked and almost hesitant.
“Why are you questioning it? This is what you wanted?” I glare up at her.
“But why? Why the change of heart?”
“Why does it matter?” I ask, getting pissed off.
If she doesn’t leave in the next two minutes I’m keeping her.
Fuck Landon’s advice. “The car leaves in seven minutes. You need to put on your shoes and get the fuck out.” She doesn’t move.
She stays staring at me probably thinking it’s a trap.
I stand up and grab her arms. “Chert voz'mi, Isabella. Fucking get out of here before I make you stay. I’ll fucking lock you up and never let you see the outside world.”
I push her towards the door of the library but before she leaves she turns around and launches at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and pulls me in for a kiss.
I freeze as she kisses me with longing and need.
I almost kiss her back.
Almost.
But I know if I do I won’t let her go.
I push her away and she looks hurt by it, her eyes watery but she doesn’t cry. Her lip trembles as she takes a deep breath and shakes herself out of it.
“I’ll come back for you, Isabella. I might be letting you go now but that doesn’t mean you’re not mine. If I find out anyone touched my wife while I’m not there, consider them fucking dead.”
She licks her bottom lip. “Thank you, Slade.”
I motion her to leave with my head. “Go.”
She hesitates for a few seconds before turning around and rushing out the door.
With my heart in her hands.