Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I think maybe we should eat to keep that smart mouth busy.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll eat, Isla.”
“You’re just like Paul, telling me what to do.”
I stride toward her, an animal stalking his timid prey. I have to be careful because one wrong move and she’ll sprint out the door. My fingers brush her skin as I grip her chin gently, ensuring she sees the truth in my eyes, that I won’t harm her. “I’m nothing like him. I’m telling you to eat because I want to take care of you, not control you.”
Her eyes move from me to the corridor leading to the dining room. “I don’t know what to do.”
I grasp her hand and weave our fingers together. “I do. You just need to trust me.”
Chapter Five
ISLA
We sit in silence across from each other at the rich maple table. I gaze around the room, decorated in warm mahoganies and russet oranges. A little odd for a park avenue apartment but a pleasant contrast to the overflow of white at Paul’s place.
The furniture suits Bryce. It’s solid and robust, like him. He’s also gentle and kind, with an underlying air of authority and control. He’s everything I’d hoped Paul was when we first met.
Bryce watches me as I move my food mindlessly on my plate. I haven’t taken a bite of my food, even though it smells divine—beef tenderloin with some sort of sauce, button mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, and maple-glazed Brussels sprouts.
“Greta will be disappointed you didn’t try her steak,” Bryce says as he places a piece of medium-rare beef between his lips. Can a man’s mouth be described as beautiful? This man’s is.
“I’m not hungry.”
The corners of Bryce’s lips turn up to reveal charming dimples. He places his fork on the bone china plate, and his dark eyes focus intently on me. I swear they penetrate my flesh to the very core of my soul. “You’re a stunning woman, Isla. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. That being said, I’m not blind. My son hasn’t taken care of you, which is a shame because I’ve always instilled in him the value of caring for our most precious belongings.”
“I’m not a possession.”
“We’re all possessions, Isla. Some don’t realize it, some deny it, some hide it, while others succumb to it. Belonging to someone isn’t a bad thing if the owner knows your worth. Understands how to take care of you, brightens you and makes you sparkle. If my son was a real man, he would’ve put you on a pedestal, not had you collecting dust in a dark corner.”
“Paul beat me. No sense in sugarcoating it.”
“I don’t sugarcoat anything, Isla. He didn’t just bruise your skin or fracture your bones. He launched a full-fledged assault. He wanted to break more than your body. He wanted to crush your identity.”
I turn my head away, feeling the scrutiny of his gaze and the shame of my existence. Humiliation runs through me. My brain scrambles for a reason to run, and my heart shatters at the brutal reality of Bryce’s words.
“Don’t do that.”
His deep voice snaps me from my spiraling thoughts. I don’t move. I cast my eyes down, focusing on the food before me.
“Look at me, Isla.” His voice is laced with authority.
I jerk, but I don’t dare raise my gaze. I don’t want to look into his eyes because I’m scared of the truths I might see in them.
“Damn it to hell, Isla. Look at me. I’m not going to fucking hurt you. I’m not a good man, never claimed to be, but I will never intentionally hurt you. You don’t need to behave like a scared animal constantly in fear that I’m going to demolish you. Now look the fuck up.”
My head snaps up out of sheer will and a spark of defiance. “Fuck you. I’m so sick and tired of people telling me what to do. How to act. What to say. How to dress. I’ve been your son’s puppet for too damn long, and I’m sure as hell not going to trade one prison for another.”
Bryce’s chair scrapes against the floor as he jumps from his seat. My plate and the ice in my glass rattle as he slams his hand on the mahogany table. “I’m not interested in being your warden, Isla. You can leave here anytime you want. But you can’t go back to Paul. I will not stand by while my piece of shit son abuses a woman.”
I tilt my head, taking in this giant of a man. Bryce may be Paul’s father, but he’s leaps and bounds beyond Paul when it comes to appearances. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more attractive man. He’s built like a beast and makes Jason Momoa look like an ant. “Why are Paul’s actions your fault? He’s a grown man.”