Chapter 9 Isabella #2
“No,” Isabella admitted, then swallowed hard against the fear that rose in her throat. “But whatever it is, he’s trying to leverage my baby girl to get it. That comment about Maddy finding out what kind of person I really am...” She shook her head, unable to finish the thought.
“You’re not going alone tomorrow,” Christopher said, and it wasn’t a suggestion. There was steel in his voice now, the kind of authority that came from years of making decisions in dangerous situations. “I won’t let you walk into whatever trap he’s setting without backup.”
“But he said to come alone,” Isabella protested weakly, though part of her was desperately grateful for his insistence.
“Men like Todd always say that,” Christopher said, and there was experience in his voice, knowledge gained from years of dealing with threats and dangerous people.
“They want you isolated, vulnerable. But you’re not alone anymore, Isabella.
You have people who care about you. People who won’t let you face this by yourself. ”
The words settled around her like a blanket, warm and protective, and Isabella felt tears sting her eyes. When was the last time someone had offered to stand with her against a threat? When was the last time she hadn’t had to face everything alone?
“He’s been watching me,” she said suddenly, the realization hitting her with fresh fear.
“He knew you were here. He called you hero boy, the Boy Scout. He saw us arrive.” Her eyes went to the windows Christopher had covered, understanding now why he’d moved through her house with such purpose.
“Thank you for closing everything. I should have thought of that.”
“You were in shock,” Christopher said gently. “And you did think of it. You locked the deck door earlier, remember? Your instincts are good, Isabella. You just need to trust them.”
Isabella pulled away from his embrace, needing to move, needing to do something with the nervous energy coursing through her. She picked up her phone and scrolled back through her messages, looking at them with new eyes.
“The car,” she said suddenly, staring at a message from earlier. “He knew my car wouldn’t start. He knew I’d need a ride.” Her hands shook as she showed Christopher the message. “He did something to it. He sabotaged my car to make me vulnerable.”
Christopher took the phone and read through the messages with focused attention, his expression growing darker with each one.
“We need a plan,” he said finally, handing the phone back.
“First, I’m going with you tomorrow, but not with you.
I’ll go into town early, park a few blocks from the diner, and find somewhere I can watch from.
A shop nearby, maybe. You’ll go in alone like he demanded, but I’ll be close enough to intervene if needed. ”
“What if he sees you?” Isabella asked, fear creeping back into her voice.
“He won’t,” Christopher said with quiet confidence. “I’ve spent years learning how to be invisible when I need to be. Todd might think he’s smart, but he’s an amateur playing games he doesn’t understand.”
He pulled out his own phone, scrolling through his contacts with purpose. “We need to bring Charlie in on this. She’s an attorney, and she’ll know how to handle the legal aspects. Whatever Todd thinks he has on you, whatever leverage he’s trying to use, Charlie can help.”
“I can’t afford a lawyer,” Isabella said quickly, embarrassment heating her cheeks. “I’m barely managing as it is, and with trying to save for Maddy’s school...”
Christopher looked at her with something soft in his eyes, something that made her chest tight. “Isabella, this is what family does. They help each other. And whether you realize it or not, you’re part of this family now. Charlie won’t charge you anything, and even if she did, I’d cover it.”
Before she could protest, he was already dialing, putting the phone on speaker as it rang.
“Christopher?” Charlie’s voice came through clear and alert despite the late hour. “Is everything alright?”
“Isabella needs your help,” Christopher said without preamble. “Legal help. She’s got an ex-husband making threats, and he’s demanding a meeting tomorrow.”
“I’ll be right there,” Charlie said immediately.
“No,” Christopher said, glancing toward the hallway where the girls’ voices could still be heard faintly. “The girls don’t need to know about this yet. But I’m putting you on speaker. Isabella’s here.”
“Isabella,” Charlie’s voice warmed. “Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out, no matter how small it seems.”
Christopher squeezed Isabella’s hand gently, then moved toward the hallway. “I’m going to check on the girls, make sure they’re okay. You talk to Charlie. Tell her everything you told me.”
He disappeared down the hall, giving her privacy but staying close enough that she could hear his voice mixing with the girls’ laughter. The sound was oddly comforting, normal life continuing even in the midst of crisis.
Isabella took a breath and began talking, telling Charlie about Todd, about the calls, about the meeting demand. Charlie listened without interrupting, occasionally making small sounds of understanding or asking clarifying questions.
“He’s definitely been planning this,” Charlie said when Isabella finished.
“The car sabotage, the surveillance, the careful timing. Christopher’s plan is good, but we need to be smarter.
We need to record the conversation tomorrow.
Florida is a two-party consent state for recording, but if you fear for your safety, which you clearly have reason to, we can work with that. ”
“Record it how?” Isabella asked, her mind spinning.
“I’ll handle the technical aspects,” Charlie said with confidence. “Christopher and I will figure it out. But Isabella, I need you to think about something. What does Todd want? Men like him don’t resurface after twelve years without a reason. You have something he needs.”
“I don’t have anything,” Isabella protested. “Just the cottage, Maddy, my job...”
“The cottage,” Charlie said thoughtfully. “Beachfront property on Anastasia Island. Do you own it outright?”
“Yes,” Isabella said slowly. “My grandmother left it to me. It’s been in our family for three generations.”
“That property is worth a fortune now,” Charlie said. “With the development boom in the area, developers would pay millions for that location. Todd might be working with someone, or he might have debts. Either way, I’d bet money he’s after your property.”
Isabella felt sick at the thought. That cottage was her grandmother’s legacy, Maddy’s inheritance, their home. “He can’t take it. He has no claim to it.”
“Legally, no,” Charlie agreed. “But men like Todd don’t always play by legal rules. That’s why we need to be smart about this. Christopher will keep you safe physically, and I’ll handle the legal angles. You’re not alone in this, Isabella.”
There was a pause, then Charlie’s voice turned slightly amused. “You should know that Christopher is probably planning to stay outside your house tonight.”
“What?” Isabella’s heart skipped.
“He won’t come inside unless invited; he’s too much of a gentleman for that, but he’ll keep watch. Make sure Todd doesn’t try anything during the night. It’s what he does, Isabella. He protects people. And right now, that means protecting you and Maddy.”
Isabella’s throat felt tight with emotion. “Oh,” was all she could manage, but her heart was pounding at the thought of Christopher standing guard over them, keeping them safe through the dark hours of the night.
They ended the call with a promise that Charlie would be there to fetch her in the morning. Isabella reminded her that Christopher had her car, and she laughed, saying that she’d borrow her sister’s car to fetch Isabella.
She stood in the kitchen for a few minutes before leaving the room, everything feeling a little surreal. She walked toward the sound of giggles coming from down the hallway. She found Maddy’s room, the door open, and stopped in the doorway. The scene before her made everything inside go soft.
Christopher sat on the floor with his back against Maddy’s bed. The girls knelt on either side of him, and they had put bright, sparkly clips in his short hair. They were painting his fingernails, all different colors spread out on the carpet around them.
“What about this one, Uncle Christopher?” Trinity held up a bottle of purple polish. “Do you like purple?”
“Purple’s great,” Christopher said seriously, like they were discussing military strategy instead of nail polish colors.
“And what about green?” Maddy asked, holding up another bottle. “For your other hand?”
“Green works too,” Christopher agreed without hesitation.
He didn’t look embarrassed. He didn’t look put-upon or as if he were merely tolerating their attention. He just sat there, engaging with them completely, letting himself be made over by twelve-year-olds without being the least bit fussed about it.
Right then and there, standing in the doorway, watching that big hero serve as a live model for tweens, Isabella knew. She’d already lost whatever fight she’d been putting up against the feelings developing for him.
This man, who had secured her house without being asked. Who had called a lawyer for her at nearly eleven at night. Who was planning to protect her tomorrow. Who sat on her daughter’s bedroom floor letting girls paint his nails in sparkly colors because it made them happy.
This man. She was falling for him. Had maybe already fallen.
Christopher looked up and caught her watching from the doorway. Their eyes met across the small room, and something passed between them. Recognition of what was building. Understanding that neither of them had expected this. Promise of something neither was quite ready to name.
He smiled. It was a small, soft smile meant just for her, and Isabella felt her heart do that lurching thing again.
And she knew with absolute certainty that everything had changed. Not just tonight. Everything. Her careful, controlled, safe life where she let no one in, trusted no one, needed no one. All of it was crumbling around her like sand castles at high tide.
And the terrifying part? She wasn’t sure she wanted to stop it.
“Mom!” Maddy’s voice broke the moment, her face bright with excitement. “Come, let us paint your nails too!”
Isabella laughed, the sound shaky but real. “I don’t want to stop Christopher from getting his manicure.”
But Christopher patted the floor beside him, that soft smile still playing at his lips. “There’s plenty of room and nail polish to go around.” His voice was warm. Inviting.
The girls chorused their agreement. “Come on, Mom!” Maddy pleaded.
“Please!” Trinity added, bouncing slightly.
And Isabella found herself moving forward without consciously deciding to. She sat down on the floor beside Christopher, close enough that their shoulders brushed. The contact sent warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the temperature in the room.
Maddy grabbed another bottle of nail polish with triumph written all over her face. Trinity giggled, already reaching for another color.
And for the first time in twelve years, Isabella relaxed. She let herself just be in the moment. Having fun. Laughing with her daughter and her daughter’s best friend. Sitting close to this man who made her feel things she’d been sure she’d never feel again.
Not worried about tomorrow. Not scared of what Todd might do. Not thinking about threats or stalkers or the precarious balance she’d been maintaining for so long.
Just here. Now. With bright nail polish and sparkly clips and pure, simple joy filling her daughter’s bedroom.
Tomorrow could wait.