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She laughs, surprising me. “I’m not going to go and sell my body on the street corner, I promise.”
“Some things are sacred. No amount of money is worth…”
“My virtue?”
My heart races in my chest at her words. I shouldn't be thinking about her like that; a virgin who’s never been touched, but I meant what I said. I’m not here for that.
I can get pussy anytime at the clubhouse. Abstaining was my choice and mine alone.
To think that there could come a time when this precious creature could come unstuck and resort to some old pervert using her body for sex, makes me want to murder someone. The level of anger inside surprises me. I’ve spent many years controlling it, making sure that I practice restraint in all things. But I’m still human, after all.
I swallow hard. “Not just your virtue — your soul, Bella. That isn’t for sale at any price.”
“You almost sound like a priest,” she laughs softly.
I chuckle. “No, but I’m old school. And there’s a lot of bad people in the world who’d love to take advantage of you.”
“But you’re not like that.” It’s not a question.
“I may have been morally gray in a lot of my decision making when I was younger,” I admit. “But disrespectin’ women wasn’t one of them.”
We pull up to the shelter and she doesn't leave straight away. Usually, she has her hand on the handle and she’s out the door before I can blink.
We’ve gained a little bit of legwork tonight, and for that I’m glad.
“I believe it,” she says. “Thanks for tonight, Priest. I really appreciate it.”
I nod. “Of course. Any time. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Okay.” She gives me a small smile and I return it. She leaves without another word and once again, I wait until she’s inside before I take off from the curb. She gives me a small wave as she disappears inside.
Isabella Romano is precious, that much I know. Not that I needed her background story to realize any of that. I’m going to help her get out of this hell hole, I’ve decided. If it’s the last thing I do.
6
PRIEST
When I don’t see Bella the next night at the soup kitchen, I immediately begin to worry. I text Linda to ask if she’s still staying at the shelter, and as I wait for a reply, my mind begins to wander.
What if she’s hurt?
What if something happened?
What if she’s in trouble?
When Stella gets in, I immediately ask her if she’s heard from or seen Bella, knowing that’s unlikely as Bella doesn’t have a phone.
“Nope, but we could go by and check on her later?” Stella says.
I know Bella wouldn’t miss coming here tonight, not after we had such a good day yesterday. Maybe she felt she’d opened up too much and I’d dug too deep? She didn’t seem upset when she left. In fact, she was the happiest I’ve ever seen her. Not saying I had anything to do with that, but talking seemed to really help her. And it helped me too. I’ve never told anyone that much information about myself in a short space of time, but with Bella it’s easy to open up.
I just can’t help the uneasy feeling I have in my gut.
I barely get through the service, and when the doors close, I ask the guys if they’ll look after things while I check on Bella.
When I glance at my phone, I see a text from Linda.
Linda
