“Like a damn vampire,” CJ mutters.
I roll my eyes and adjust my pack. “You two are lucky I like you.”
CJ nudges Isabel gently. “Don’t worry, he’s in good hands. I’ve only gotten him shot twice.”
“Once,” Alex corrects. “The second one was technically a ricochet.”
Isabel just shakes her head, arms crossed, trying to smile.
I kiss her one more time, quick and hard, before jogging down the steps and climbing into the waiting vehicle.
As we pull away, I look back.
She’s still on the porch, arms wrapped around herself, watching me leave with tears in her eyes but strength in her spine.
My heart stays right there with her.
And no matter where I go, no matter what happens—I'll fight like hell to make it back to her.
Because she's my whole world.
Chapter 21
Isabel
I hear the doorbell ring, and my eyes flutter open. The soft blanket tangled around my legs tells me I’ve fallen asleep on the sofa again. A second chime jolts me to my feet, heart skipping—there’s always that moment of disorientation, of forgetting where I am. The silence of the house makes the sound louder, more intrusive. I brush a hand through my hair, trying to shake the sleep off, and pad barefoot toward the door.
When I open it, I see Alice.
My breath catches for a split second. She's standing there like a vision of familiarity I didn’t know I needed. Beside her, two tall men in black uniforms flank her like shadows.
“Could you tell these two I’m not a thief?” she scoffs, arms crossed, her tone as fierce as ever as she shoots them a deadly glare.
My laughter bursts out, more from relief than amusement. “A thief? No, she’s Alice. A friend of mine,” I say, stepping aside to let her in. My eyes narrow slightly as I look at the two men. They don’t have the bored, vaguely nosy look of neighbors. Too poised. Too alert. “And you are?”
“I’m the Weister maid,” Alice snaps proudly before they can answer. “Better show some respect, or I won’t feed you.”
I smile at her sass. God, I missed this. Having her here—it’s like anchoring myself to a piece of home. My only friend in this damn house, in this city that feels like a suit I was forced to wear. Too stiff. Too tight.
“Apologies, ma’am,” the taller of the two men says with a nod. “Captain Weister has assigned us to keep you and the house secure. I’m Morris and he’s Kennet.”
Of course he did.
I sigh softly, brushing a curl behind my ear. “Did Nathan mention that the annex in the back is equipped for security? It’s wired with surveillance monitors. You can set up there—no need to camp on the porch.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the other one—Kennet—nods. “The captain briefed us. We’ve been instructed that if you ever leave the property, one of us will accompany you.”
Great. A shadow for every step. Classic Nathan.
“I’m Isabel,” I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I’ll share access to my planner today so you’re in the loop.”
They nod, stiff and professional, and finally turn to leave. I close the door behind them with a sigh that’s heavier than it should be.
When I turn around, Alice is still standing there, arms open.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I whisper as I fall into her hug.
She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes soft. “Oh, Isabel. You cried.”
