Page 116

“And last night, I tested him as you suggested. I opened his restraints.”

Rafael’s eyes scanned my face as his hands moved to hold my shoulders.

“You freed him?”

“For a little while.”

“Isabella.”

“I had to know whether he could walk.”

“That was not what I meant.”

“I know.”

I almost laughed despite everything.

“He was completely unrestrained, Rafael. He had every physical advantage and could have used me to get out, but he didn’t.”

Rafael said nothing.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“He was careful with me. Then when it was time…” My voice softened despite myself. “He let me cuff him to the chair again so no one would discover I’d helped him.”

Rafael’s brows drew together as he looked toward the door.

“He’s either an exceptionally disciplined man or completely insane.”

A shaky laugh slipped out.

“Probably both.”

The corner of Rafael’s mouth rose.

“And he named Marcela Isabeast.”

I smiled and nodded.

“I heard two guards call her that this morning and wondered where it came from.”

“Lachlan.”

“It suits her.”

“I told him the same thing.”

Rafael cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing beneath my eye.

“You like this man.”

Heat touched my face despite the tears.

“He’s impossible not to like.”

That earned me the smallest smile.

For a few seconds, the pressure in my chest eased.