I needed a drink and a change of scenery before I spoke to Isla this evening.
Roman eyedme from across the table as I drank my scotch. We’d gone to the finest steakhouse in all of Canada, one I owned, but I wasn’t in the mood for eating, only drinking.
I was confident he had thoughts on how I handled Kira and probably questions about Isla. After all, Roman was the meddler in the family. He probably saw it as part of his position as second oldest.
Well, I didn’t need another parent.
I sure as hell didn’t want to talk about Isla either.
Guilt churned my stomach inside out. When I’d gone to bed last night, everything hit all at once. The feelings of betrayal simmering inside me had exploded. I warred with anger and regret half the fucking night.
I’d gone downstairs to the personal gym and took out my wrath on the punching bag. My goddamn knuckles were swollen after beating them against the leather for over an hour.
After my meltdown, I showered and went back to bed. It took me a couple of hours before I’d fallen asleep, as thoughts of Pippa occupied every bit of space in my brain.
I hated myself for pushing Isla away last year. But now, I hated her for not telling me about the baby. It seemed once I was away from them, all the emotions I’d buried deep in my soul had surfaced and were waging war.
All day I’d been smoldering, so I avoided anything and everything regarding Isla. The meeting with Wolf and his brother didn’t help matters. As much as I would have loved to pound my fist into Kira’s ugly face, I refrained and used my gun to scare him. Wolf would’ve tried to stop me anyway.
Kira was a pathetic, self-serving loser? My family could read the Russian like a book. It was Wolf who’d given him the benefit of the doubt, but I sensed he was struggling to accept the truth.
It sucked not trusting someone so close to you. Isla’s beautiful face flashed behind my eyes. Would I be able to trust her? I didn’t know. She didn’t trust me either, so I guess we were even.
“He’s such an idiot. I’m starting to doubt he’s good enough for Rosa.” I emptied my glass and raised it for the server to bring me another.
“Are you talking about Wolf?” Roman screwed up his face.
“Who else would I be talking about? He should not defend his brother. He hardly knows him.”
“But he’s trying to get to know him better. And he treats our sister very well. She’s lucky to have him.”
“Jesus, brother. Have you grown a pussy?” I searched for the fucking server.
“Piss off,” he snapped. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Trying to get another drink. Or do I need to get it myself?” I lowered my glass onto the table, but what I really wanted to do was smash it on the floor.
“What is going on with you?” Roman asked.
“Incompetent people irritate me.”
“I don’t buy it. What else is going on?”
“Nothing.” I reached for his glass but he swatted my hand away.
“It’s Isla. I know it is.”
Rage boiled in my gut. I was unhinged and needed to calm down. No chance in hell would I talk to Isla in my current state ofdon’t-give-a-fuck-about-anything.
Although, I doubted that would happen with Roman staring at me like I’d kicked his puppy. Why couldn’t he just quietly sit with me instead of questioning me?
I supposed that was the reason I had avoided Isla. I didn’t want a million questions; ones I didn’t have answers for. She was probably overthinking everything and planning our future together.
“Rosa talked to Isla.” Roman’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I met his gaze, unable to speak. My heart jolted in anticipation of what he’d say next. He’d better be careful, though. I was hanging on by a flimsy thread, ready to explode at the slightest pang.
“You didn’t tell Isla she was going to call,” Roman said in an accusing tone.
