Chapter 12 Lasting Friendships #2
“Not about my bodyguard,” I hiss, laughing next.
“Are you sure he’s straight?”
“Is that the only subject you didn’t cover last night?” I ask deadpan. “And…what?”
She shrugs, holding her hands up. “Look, he did things no straight guy has done with me, and…”
“Leanne,” I warn.
“I’m just curious!”
“I’m pansexual if you must know.”
We both let out a yelp, and then turn towards Isaac’s voice. He stands before her bedroom door, dressed in jeans and a plain t-shirt. His hair is mussed and it’s odd seeing him unshaven. Leanne makes a humming noise, and I notice her biting her lower lip. I poke her arm.
“What? You have your man to ogle, leave me be,” she states. I roll my eyes at her, and then she talks to Isaac. “Sorry, didn’t mean to throw you out of the proverbial closet.”
“Was never in, but never found a need to bring up my sexuality in conversation,” he responds smoothly, keeping his gaze mostly on Leanne. “Even Julio doesn’t speak much about his, but he’s been openly gay since he was twenty.”
“Well, best friend is bi, and the other is a lesbian, so…not like I would’ve cared,” I say, then clear my throat. “Not that it matters.”
“You’re surrounded, hun,” Leanne jokes.
“Oh, darn,” I say dead pan.
Isaac takes a step forward, but stops and gives a long exhale. He and Leanne exchange a look, which after she relaxes into her seat and looks pointedly at the bedroom. He gestures to said room, and asks me, “May we talk?”
I nod, standing to follow him. I glance over my shoulder at Leanne, who waves at me with a smug smile. I roll my eyes, preparing myself for this conversation as I close the door for privacy.
Her small bedroom is mostly pastel colors with deep blue accenting it, including the rumpled bed covers. Watercolor paintings of plants and flowers she’s done hang everywhere. A much more put together bedroom than mine ever could be. Except the clothes on the floor, the one small detail we share.
Isaac sits on the bed, slumping a little while I remain next to her dresser.
“I’m so—"
“I apologize,” he says over me.
We stare at each other.
“Isaac.”
“I was a complete arsehole,” he states. I shut my mouth.
He runs his hands down his jeans, seeming more nervous than I am.
“I overstepped boundaries, presumed situations, and…you were correct, my pride was bruised. More so when Jameson pointed out my naivety several times and I felt like a failure. Then, I became angry that you didn’t include me in your plans, whilst Chiari, Mikey, and Logan knew. ”
“It was to protect you, all of you. Because…I knew people were watching.”
“I understand that now.”
Silence. I rub my arms, holding myself close as he stares down at the ground.
“I understand why you’re angry, and I can’t blame you,” I say quietly. “Any of you, but I won’t apologize for doing what myself and Leo thought was right to do to protect ourselves. But I will apologize for hurting you and breaking your trust.”
“You didn’t break my trust, wounded my pride and ego, but not that.” He glimpses at the bed he sits on. “And I hope you know my intention to come here was not simply to sleep with Leanne, but she’s the only one—”
I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. If you came here for that, talking, baking, watching bad movies…
not my place to judge whatever is going on.
Not going to tell her or you what or… who to do.
” Isaac and I both try to stifle a chuckle.
“Just glad you had someone to go to. I know what it’s like when it feels like you don’t. ”
Isaac exhales roughly, sitting up more. “I was too harsh on him. I shouldn’t have assumed as I did, especially regarding your marriage…something that I have no right in having a say in.”
My jaw works, stomach twisting a little as anxiety goes up my spine. I take a deep breath, moving to go sit next to Isaac on the bed.
“Leo worried that I’d think he was using our marriage for more than simply wanting to.
” The words are heavy as they leave my mouth.
“He explained everything before. Every detail, what it meant and how it could be an advantage or used against us. I wasn’t wholly surprised by Jameson’s reaction that… day.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember the check I wrote for the centers?” He nods.
“All that money came from Leo’s personal accounts, and I’ve been writing donation checks to several centers every month, each averaging five thousand.
If the money came from anywhere else, such as the Luciano fortune or his franchises, it’d have been suspicious.
But figured with his background of philanthropy, no one would bat an eye. ”
“Except Jameson monitors every account.”
“Yup.”
“So…you pretended to be a gold-digger to throw people off?”
“Unintentionally.” I give him a weak smile, and he gives me a faint one back. “We knew what it would look like, Isaac. We played along. He’s the one who gave me access and never asked questions. From money to computers to using the hotel. It was me who used him, not the other way around.”
Isaac sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I need to apologize to him. I overstepped as a biker, colleague, and…friend.” I nod numbly. “But no matter how angry I’ll become with him or you…I won’t ever backstab either of you.”
Tears form in my eyes, guilt digging at me. “I’m sorry we thought you did.”
“I broke protocol. You responded as I would have given circumstances. I acted poorly last night and would be more upset if you hadn’t considered that as a choice.”
“Even though we lost faith in you that…quickly?”
“Within a handful of hours, we lost who we were preparing to take over Leo’s position as mafia don.
Many of those we trusted, screwed us over and attempted to kill us.
We don’t know who else may do the same. No, I don’t blame them.
And I have no doubt I’ll have a tongue lashing when I return or if I even still have a job. ”
“You do.”
Blue eyes meet mine. My throat tightens, threatening for more tears to come. The remnants of fear that he left or driving him away trickle back. My words are faint as my vision becomes blurry. “I thought it was my fault. I went too far…drove you away.”
“No,” he says quietly, touching my knee gently. “You didn’t.”
My chin quivers as I try to nod, hands now shaking.
“May I?” He asks, holding his arms out and I can only nod.
Isaac embraces me, hugging me tightly. Tears stream down my cheeks as we hold each other. He presses his face against the top of my head, gripping me as I struggle to breathe.
“You are capable of anything, no matter how many bad days or nights you have,” he whispers. “I am truly sorry for carelessly using those against you… Miss Autumn.”
The damn breaks as I cling to him, sobbing into his shoulder.
These past few months I’ve grown close to the Crew, but Isaac was another story.
We’ve grown in more ways than one, from being the guy I kicked in Central Park, to quiet bodyguard, to friend, to a confidant I went to when things were tough.
My heart almost shattered this morning, not just at the thought of him betraying me… but losing him altogether.
“I love you, too,” I say faintly when the sobs subside.
He squeezes harder and I do it back. We remain there, seeming like forever as relief floods me. A knock at the door gets us to pull apart from each other.
“You two good? Or do I need to give the mobsters water or something?” Leanne asks through the door. “And do I still have a boyfriend or was that the shortest relationship I’ve ever had?”
I raise a brow at him, wiping away tears. “Boyfriend?”
“Didn’t tell you that part, did she?”
I shake my head. He sits up straighter, running his hands over his jeans. I smile at him as I see his face contort into concentration.
“No hurting her,” I lightly warn.
“Never, Miss Autumn.” We smile at each other.
“Helloooo?” Leanne calls, opening the door as we stand. She crosses her arms, eyeing us. “Oh, good, he’s still intact.”
I snort at her, mimicking her stance with my arms crossed. “How long until you were gonna say you’re dating?”
Not a lick of guilt on her face. “Once you two made up. And look…you made up.”
“You’re conniving, but I love you,” I say.
“You’re secretive, but I love you,” she says with a smile.
“And I think I’m in trouble,” Isaac murmurs.
Leanne steps forward, taking his hand and kisses him on the cheek. He blinks rapidly, blushing a little as she starts to pull him out of the room. “You work for a mafia don’s wife and now dating her best friend…you’ve no idea.”
I giggle at them as I watch my bodyguard soften at her touch.
Oh, he truly doesn’t.