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She nods. “I’ll find you. I promise.”
I kiss her one more time, just a quick one, before she steps back and waves.
“Go on,” I tell her.
I watch her enter the hotel, still wanting with everything in me to follow. But I don’t, deciding to trust her and her promises.
Once she’s gone, I start my car and drive away. I should head home as well. To D.C. I can’t keep running away from my future. I’ll only end up with regrets if I don’t at least try.
It’ll probably be hard. My father’s not going to make this easy for me. But I’m a Steele; we go after what we want. Which means I can’t let Isabella go. She’s right. I have something to do, but if she doesn’t find me once I’m done, then I’ll find her.
Before I leave Denver, I track down the two assholes who put the drug in her drink. Actions have consequences. I’ve heard that all my life. It feels good to dole out consequences of my own to idiots like them.
CHAPTER 10
Isabella
Ireturn to New York late at night. Enzo sent a car to pick me up at the airport. It was unnecessary; it’s not like I’m going to run away or something. When we arrive at the house, someone steps out to carry my luggage. I exhales softly before entering.
He’s in the living room, pacing. The action reminds me of Graham. As soon as I think about him, I feel a sharp pain in my gut. Regret and need swirl together inside of me, refusing to be ignored. I spent the entire plane ride agonizing over my decision to cut all contact. I know he was angry, but I know I’m doing the right thing.
He has his future in front of him. A lot is riding on him returning to his father’s company. He didn’t tell me the details, but I know it’s important to him. And I’m not going to be an obstacle to that. He doesn’t need any distractions right now.
I’m also a hypocrite because I like to call him a coward, but this time, I’m the one running away. What happened between us scared me and I need some time away from that.
“Oh look, the prodigal daughter returns,” Enzo says, glaring as I enter the living room.
I roll my eyes. “Your analogy needs work, cugino. Try to brush up on the story.”
I take a seat on the couch beside Rosa. She offers me a small smile, but I can immediately tell something’s wrong. I frown, taking in her puffy eyes and the dark circles. That’s not because of me.
His glare intensifies. “You left,” he grits out. “Without telling me or anyone. You left without informing us.”
“I told Maria and Matthew,” I say unhelpfully.
“Don’t even get me started on those two,” Enzo snaps. “We found out you were gone a day after and when I asked them where you were, they refused to tell me. Refused! You’re teaching them to keep secrets from me?”
“Yeah,” I answer easily. “You don’t need to know everything, Enzo.”
“Actually, I fucking do. Because it’s my job to protect you. Do you have any idea how it felt during those two days when no one could contact you? Not even Matthew and Maria? We were worried sick.”
I feel a little guilty. I can only imagine how he felt. Enzo has his faults. He annoys me to no end, but in a big brother kind of way. We care about each other. We’re family, after all.
“There was a snowstorm. Seriously, Enzo, you already yelled at me over the phone. Do we need to continue?”
“You could have told me you were going to Denver,” he states. “I wouldn’t have stopped you.”
“No, but you would have insisted I take someone. ‘For my own protection.’ You would have ordered one of your men to go along with me.”
“Because you could have been in danger. You understand better than anyone how this family works.”
“I do,” I say tiredly. “I just needed a break.”
Rosa shifts closer, placing a comforting hand on mine. “That’s enough, Enzo. She said she was sorry. It’s fine now.”
“When did I say I was sorry?” I ask.
“When did she say she was sorry?” Enzo questions simultaneously.
