35. Isabel
35
ISABEL
T heodore rises smoothly, as if the earthquake of truth we just experienced hasn’t touched him at all. But I see the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw ticks beneath his carefully controlled expression.
“ Maxwell , Julian ,” Theodore says coolly, eyes never leaving his mother’s face, “take her.”
Celeste’s eyes widen briefly, the poised mask finally cracking as Maxwell and Julian both rise. She starts to struggle when they grab her arms, but it’s useless.
“ You can’t do this,” she says, her voice snapping like brittle glass. “ I’m your mother.”
Maxwell lets out a dark laugh. “ That ship sailed the second you chose Lionel Whitmore over your own blood.”
Julian doesn’t speak, his grip unyielding as they drag her toward the door. Celeste fights against them, pearls rattling around her throat, her dignity unraveling thread by thread.
When they disappear into the hallway, the silence left behind presses down on us.
Theodore moves toward the door, ready to follow, but my hand reaches for him instinctively, grazing his fingers just enough to make him pause.
“ Theo , wait.”
He stops, half-turning to look at me over his shoulder. His gaze is distant—he’s not nearly as unaffected as he wants everyone to think.
He glances toward the open doorway before he quietly calls after his brothers, “ Go ahead. We’ll meet you outside.”
Their footsteps fade, leaving us alone.
My throat feels tight when I whisper, “ I’m sorry for everything you’re going through right now. I know it can’t be easy.”
Theodore stares at me for a moment, then lets out a slow breath, turning fully toward me.
“ You don’t need to apologize for her sins, Isabel . You didn’t create this mess.”
I shake my head, stepping a bit closer. “ No , but I know what it feels like to have your life flipped upside down.”
His eyes soften a fraction, something almost human emerging from beneath the careful control. He reaches out, fingers brushing gently over my wrist. The touch sends a quiet shiver up my spine.
My heart aches for him. “ You’re not alone, Theo .”
He watches me carefully, eyes tracing my face, lingering like he’s searching for some hidden truth beneath my skin.
“ You should hate me, Isabel . After everything we’ve put you through.”
I swallow, the confession burning at my throat. “ I wanted to. I tried. But …”
He waits patiently, eyes never leaving mine. “ Say it, Siren .”
My breath stalls, heartbeat thrashing in my chest. Before I can respond, Theodore reaches for me, his fingers gently pinching my chin, lifting my face toward him. He brings his lips dangerously close to mine, hovering there, temptation hanging between us like a fragile thread.
“ Tell me how you really feel about me,” he whispers roughly, eyes dark, hungry, vulnerable all at once. “ I need to hear it.”
I’m unraveling beneath his stare. Every wall I’ve built crumbles to dust.
“ I love you,” I admit shakily, my voice trembling, heart cracking wide open.
I glance down, ashamed of the truth spilling from my mouth, before I force myself to meet his eyes again.
“ I love you, even though you took me against my will. Even though you locked me up, took away my freedom— I can’t help it.”
My vision blurs slightly, but I push on, desperate for him to understand. “ You gave me something I never could’ve found on my own.”
He inhales sharply, his grip tightening just a fraction. “ What’s that?” he whispers.
I swallow hard, my chest burning. “ A place to belong.”
Theodore’s lips crash to mine before I can draw another breath, hungry and consuming, stealing all coherent thoughts.
He breaks the kiss only long enough to speak, his breath hot against my mouth. “ I think I’ve been in love with you from the moment I first saw you through those cameras,” he confesses roughly, pressing another deep kiss against my lips. “ Halloween night, in that mermaid costume, looking like the most delectable siren.”
A shiver runs through my body, and my pulse spikes at his admission.
Then , he drops to his knees before me.
His hands slide up my thighs as he looks up at me, eyes dark with desperation. “ I know what I did,” he murmurs, voice thick with emotion. “ The lies. The manipulation. The way we took you—how I treated you. I don’t deserve an ounce of your forgiveness.” His hands tremble slightly against my skin. “ But I’m begging you to forgive me, Isabel . Not because I want to erase what I did, but because I can’t breathe knowing I broke something so sacred between us. Your trust.” He presses a kiss to my stomach, his forehead resting against me. “ Tell me I haven’t ruined it all. Tell me there’s still a chance to make it right” He looks up at me again. “ Let me earn you.”
I reach out, brushing my fingers along the edge of his jaw. “ I hate that you make me feel like this. “ I hate that even after everything, I still fell in love with you. You’re the one person I can’t seem to let go of.”
He pushes me backward until my back hits the plush fabric of the couch, and then he positions himself above me, caging me in with his body. My fingers clutch desperately at his shoulders, needing something solid to hold onto as his mouth explores mine again, drawing me deeper into the storm that is Theodore Whitmore .
There’s no going back now, and I don’t want to.
His body presses me deeper into the couch, his weight warm and reassuring above me. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, pulling him even closer as heat builds between us.
Theodore kisses along my jaw, down my neck, his voice raw and honest against my skin. “ I’ve spent every day since convincing myself I could control this, control you. But you’re the one who ended up controlling me.”
A quiet gasp escapes me at his confession, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I thread my fingers into his hair, urging his mouth back to mine, needing to taste the truth of his words.
“ I don’t regret any of it,” I whisper fiercely, the words tumbling out like an unstoppable wave. “ I wouldn’t change a thing if it means ending up right here, with you.”
He groans, deep and primal, as he grinds his hips into mine, the friction sending a rush of desire straight through me. Our kisses become frantic, urgent, each one deeper, needier than the last, as if we’re trying to erase every painful memory between us and rewrite them into something softer, something better.
His hands roam my body, possessive yet reverent, as he whispers dark, worshipful promises into my skin. “ I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me, Siren , even if it destroys me.”
Theodore lifts my dress up and tears off my panties, stuffing the wet fabric into my mouth. “ I’m going to need you to be quiet, baby.”
He unbuckles his belt, quickly pulling his zipper down to free his hard cock.
My mouth salivates, the craving to feel him inside me almost unbearable.
He positions himself at my entrance. In this moment, with Theodore above me, his breath mingling with mine, his heartbeat echoing my own, I realize I’ve never felt safer—or more dangerously alive—in my entire life.
He fills me completely in one, swift thrust, and a sharp cry escapes around my gag, my eyes fluttering shut as overwhelming pleasure crashes through me.
Theodore’s rhythm is relentless, staking his claim in a way words never could. My fingers dig into his shoulders, desperate for purchase as my body arches to meet his every thrust. Heat coils tighter and tighter within me, burning hotter with every second.
“ You’re mine, Isabel ,” he growls roughly into my ear, the possessiveness in his voice sending another wave of pleasure crashing through me. “ Say it. Tell me who you belong to.”
I struggle around my gag but manage to whimper something resembling his name. He removes my panties out of my mouth swiftly, his lips immediately claiming mine again in a heated kiss.
“ You ,” I gasp breathlessly when we part briefly. “ I belong to you, Theodore .”
He groans low and deep, his pace quickening as his control slips, raw need and emotion taking over. I wrap myself tighter around him, matching his urgency, letting him claim every piece of me.
“ Forever ,” he murmurs against my lips. “ No going back, Siren .”
“ I don’t want to,” I whisper back. “ I’m yours. Completely .”
Our bodies move as one, fierce and frantic yet strangely tender beneath the surface. Theodore’s eyes lock onto mine, the intensity in them almost overwhelming. Pleasure builds rapidly, threatening to consume me entirely.
“ Let go for me, Isabel ,” he commands softly, his voice thick with need. “ I want to feel you break apart.”
His words push me over the edge, and my climax hits hard and suddenly, a powerful wave that leaves me shuddering under him. Theodore follows moments later, groaning my name as he spills into me, sealing our fates in a final, desperate surge.
As the tension slowly drains from our bodies, Theodore presses his forehead to mine, our breath mingling. He gently kisses me again, softer this time.
“ You’re the only one who ever made me feel this way. Don’t ever leave me, Isabel . Don’t leave us .”
“ I couldn’t even if I tried.”
* * *
The car ride is quiet. I don’t dare break the silence, not when Celeste is bound and gagged right next to me in the back seat of the SUV , her composure finally shattered. Her icy glare is fixed ahead, seething with fury. Theodore drives, gaze unwavering, hands tight around the wheel. Julian and Maxwell sit rigid in their seats.
We drive for what feels like hours, but it might only be minutes. None of the brothers mention where we’re going, and right now, I’m not sure I even want to ask.
When Theodore finally pulls into a gravel driveway, I sit up straighter, squinting through the tinted windows. A large, imposing warehouse looms ahead, nestled against a backdrop of dense trees. Industrial lights illuminate the exterior in pools of harsh yellow, highlighting walls of weathered brick and steel.
Theodore parks, and the brothers step out without hesitation. Maxwell and Julian roughly haul Celeste from the car, her heels scraping uselessly against the gravel as they drag her toward a set of wide double doors.
I hurry behind them, heart thudding. Once inside, my eyes take a moment to adjust to the dimness, the space slowly coming into focus.
We’re in a vast, sprawling factory filled with tall copper stills and stainless steel tanks, each labeled meticulously with Iron Veil etched prominently in elegant script. Long , wooden barrels are stacked neatly against the far walls, and there’s a faint scent of whiskey lingering in the air.
Rows of industrial shelves hold neatly organized bottles, boxes, and equipment. A small office is nestled in one corner behind wide glass windows, overseeing everything from its elevated vantage point.
We must be in Theodore’s whiskey distillery.
“ Take her to the basement,” Theodore commands quietly.
Celeste’s eyes widen instantly, panic replacing her earlier anger. She shakes her head frantically, muffled pleas spilling from beneath the gag, her polished composure finally shattering completely. Her heels dig into the smooth concrete floor as Maxwell and Julian drag her away, but it’s futile—they easily overpower her struggles.
I watch as they disappear down a shadowed staircase at the far end of the factory. A chill snakes down my spine.
Theodore turns toward me, his expression softening. “ Stay here with me for a few minutes.”
I frown slightly, confused. Just as I’m about to question him, the heavy warehouse doors creak open again, and my heart jumps into my throat as two figures slowly step into view.
I squint as my gaze lands first on Ronnie —her dark curls, tattoos visible at the edges of her sleeves. But then my eyes flicker to the figure beside her, and my entire world tilts. It’s Valeria .
A scream bursts from my lips before I can stop it, tears instantly blurring my vision. Valeria’s eyes widen, her face crumbling as she breaks into sobs, running toward me as fast as her legs will carry her.
I rush forward to meet her halfway, our bodies colliding in a fierce, desperate embrace. Her arms tighten around me as she clutches me like she’s afraid I’ll vanish.
“ Oh my God , Isa ,” she cries into my hair, her voice breaking, trembling with relief. “ I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
I pull back just enough to see her clearly, tears streaming down my cheeks as I shake my head rapidly. “ No , no, I’m fine, Val . I promise. I’m okay.”
Valeria cups my face gently, eyes scanning every inch, reassurance washing over her features. “ Thank God . I was so scared I’d never see you again.”
I cling to her tightly once more, unwilling to let go just yet. Over her shoulder, my gaze meets Theodore’s . He stands silently beside Ronnie , both watching our reunion, though I swear there’s a hint of tenderness in Theo’s eyes that wasn’t there before.
“ You’re safe now,” Valeria says, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “ We’re here, and we’re not leaving without you.”
My heart tightens with gratitude as I hold onto Valeria , breathing in the familiar comfort of her embrace. But a knot forms in my stomach—how do I even begin to explain to my best friend that the three men who once kidnapped me have now become so deeply ingrained in my soul, I don’t think I can ever let them go?
I step back slightly, keeping Valeria’s hand in mine.
“ Did you two plan this?” I ask Ronnie and Theodore .
Ronnie’s mouth curls into a sly smirk, eyes glinting mischievously as she crosses her arms. “ Of course we did. Theodore called and explained what was going on with our mother, and we decided it was finally time for a reunion.”
Valeria snaps her head toward Ronnie , eyes narrowing with the kind of playful irritation I’ve missed so much. Ronnie immediately holds her hands up in mock surrender, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
“ Desculpa , princesa,” she says, the Portuguese rolling effortlessly off her tongue. “ I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Valeria huffs, but there’s no real anger behind it.
My eyes drift back to Theodore , warmth spreading through my chest as our gazes connect, and I mouth, “ Thank you.”
Theodore nods, stepping forward. “ We’ll leave you two to catch up. Verónica and I need to head downstairs.”
Immediately , Valeria’s grip on my hand tightens, and I step toward Theo , urgency rising inside me.
“ Wait . I want to come,” I argue.
“ Me too,” Valeria echoes.
Theodore shakes his head. “ This is something we need to deal with as a family. I promise you, everything is going to be okay.”
I hesitate, frustration coiling in my chest, but the quiet sincerity in Theodore’s voice eases some of my resistance.
“ Are you sure?” I search his eyes for reassurance.
“ I wouldn't say it if I wasn’t.” Theodore steps forward, cupping my cheek briefly. “ Do you trust me?”
I nod reluctantly, glancing at Valeria . She exhales slowly, clearly unhappy with the arrangement, but eventually, she relents.
Verónica smiles gently at Valeria , mouthing a silent apology before following Theodore toward the staircase.
As they disappear downstairs, Valeria turns to me. Her brow lifts, a knowing look spreading slowly across her face as she crosses her arms.
“ Isa ...” She drags out my name with suspicion. “ Is there something you need to tell me?”
Heat floods my cheeks instantly, and I swallow hard, averting my gaze in embarrassment. Valeria always sees straight through me. My heart pounds wildly as I search for words. How do I explain something even I can barely understand?
“ It’s complicated,” I whisper finally, not meeting her eyes. “ Really complicated.”
“ Well , we’ve got some time, and you clearly have a lot of explaining to do.”
“ You have no idea.”