Page 41 of Isabelle’s Forbidden Love

The words sent a shock through Isabelle. “What?”

But Samson didn’t look at her. He stared at Gabriel.

“Samson?” Gabriel asked, disbelief evident in his voice. “Why?”

“Because we have evidence that he killed Hong, and now the Vuber driver,” Samson said. “He’s dangerous. Take Amaury and Haven with you. And Luther, if he’s around.”

Gabriel was about to turn to the door, when Isabelle glared at her father. “No! Orlando is innocent. He didn’t kill Hong or the Vuber driver. You can’t just assume he’s guilty because he was her last customer.”

“Stay out of this, Isa. There are things you don’t know about him. He did it.”

“No, he didn’t do it! You can’t just jump to conclusions like that. That’s not like you! You of all people taught me to look at all sides before making a decision, before accusing somebody of murder…”

The door opened, and she saw Thomas rush in. But she didn’t give him a chance to address Samson, because she now took a step closer to her father.

“Orlando is innocent. I have proof.”

“I said, don’t get in the way of this, Isa. I’m warning you.”

He looked past her, and she glanced over her shoulder and noticed Thomas exchange a look with Samson.

“Thomas, is it confirmed?” Samson asked.

Thomas nodded. “I’m afraid so. It’s all true.”

“Gabriel, you have your orders. Arrest Orlando!” Samson insisted.

“You can’t do that!” Isabelle yelled. “I was at Orlando’s house last night. I was waiting for him when the Vuber driver dropped him off around 2 am. And she drove off, alive. I was with him from 2 am until eleven this morning. He couldn’t have killed Jessica Mayer. And he didn’t kill Hong. He’s being framed.”

Samson stared at her, mouth gaping open. Gabriel and Thomas stood frozen near the door, silent, their eyes trained on her, disbelief shining from them.

Samson’s eyes turned red, and his fangs descended. He suddenly looked like a wild animal, the vampire inside him ready for whatever needed to be done. “You slept with him? You slept with Orlando?”

Isabelle tipped her chin up. “Who I sleep with is my business. But yes, if you want to know, I’ve slept with him, and not just the once. And I was with him when he supposedly killed the Vuber driver. I’m his alibi. I’m telling you he’s innocent.”

“Do you have any idea who he is? How dangerous he is?”

Her father had never looked at her in such anger, had never spoken to her like this.

“Orlando didn’t hurt anybody. He didn’t do this!” she insisted.

“He’s gonna hurt you!”

“He would never lay a finger on me.” Because the way Orlando had looked at her had already shown her what was in his heart. The feelings he harbored for her. The affection, the desire, maybe even love…

Samson grabbed her by her biceps. “You’re staying away from him! Do you hear me? You won’t go near him ever again.”

Isabelle felt her fangs descend fully and saw everything in a red tint now, confirming that her eyes were glaring red. She was all vampire now. A female vampire fighting for the man she loved.

“You’re my father, but not even you have the right to tell me who to see, who to sleep with, or who to love. So take your hands off me.” Her voice trembled now, and her heart beat into her throat, almost cutting off her air supply, but she wouldn’t back down now. No, this was a fight she had to win. “I said—”

“I heard you,” Samson interrupted. “The only reason I’m tolerating your insolent words are because you’re my daughter and I love you, so I’ll give you some time to calm down, and later, we’ll talk about this. And then you’ll understand. I’m doing this to protect you.”

He dropped his hold on her arms, and she inhaled deeply, but pressed her lips together, knowing that he wouldn’t listen to her right now. Something had blinded him to reason.

She turned away and walked to the door as calmly as she could, her handbag slung over her shoulder, still clutching the file folder to her torso.

“Don’t do anything you’ll regret later,” Samson said.