Page 46 of Isabelle’s Forbidden Love

The sound of another person breathing came from her left. She whirled toward it, her heart racing.

“Did anybody follow you?”

When Orlando pulled her into his arms in the dark of the flat, Isabelle let out a sigh of relief and pressed herself to him.

“No. Everything went fine. I avoided the cameras and ditched my cell phone. Nobody knows where I am.”

“You sure they won’t come looking for us here?”

“Trust me, they don’t think I’d be stupid enough to hide you in my brother’s condo.”

“Good.”

All of a sudden, she saw Orlando’s eye color change to a golden hue. He dipped his head, bringing his face close to hers. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I do,” she murmured and pressed her lips to his.

25

Orlando felt Isabelle’s lips on his, and pulled her closer to him. He’d been worried about her. Ever since he’d gotten the second anonymous letter, which he hadn’t even told her about yet, he couldn’t stand being separated from her. Feeling her in his arms now, tasting her lips, and inhaling her sweet scent made him feel better instantly. But it also made him feel something else: guilt. Because he still hadn’t told her about what had really happened in Montreal. He didn’t know how to begin such a revelation. It wasn’t the right time for it.

Reluctantly, he severed the kiss and looked at Isabelle’s heated face. He released her from his arms and took her hand to lead her to the large sectional in the open-plan living room.

When he let himself fall onto the sofa and pulled Isabelle with him, he accidentally kicked his foot against the coffee table and a bowl filled with decorative metal balls fell to the floor, making a noise as if a horde of elephants were trampling over the shiny wooden floor.

“Fuck, the neighbors,” Orlando cursed.

“They’re not home.”

“How do you know that?”

“The guy who owns the other condo always leaves on Friday evening, and doesn’t come back till Sunday night.”

“Perfect.” Then he pulled Isabelle closer, so she straddled him.

“So, tell me what happened. Why did Samson order to have me arrested? Did the car key lead back to my car?”

Isabelle shook her head. “I haven’t even heard back about the key from Nelson yet. I don’t think he’s got the results yet.”

“Then—”

“There was another killing.”

The news jolted him. “Who?”

“The Vuber driver who drove you home last night, Jessica Mayer.”

A second jolt charged through his body. “But I didn’t… I couldn’t have…” He searched her eyes. “You were there when she drove off. And you were with me the rest of the night.”

Isabelle put a finger on his lips. “I know that. And I told my father.”

“You what? He knows about you and me?”

“Yes, and a whole lot of good that did.” Isabelle huffed. “He didn’t even listen. I told him you have an airtight alibi.”

“I assume he didn’t take it well, you know, you and me together?” He rubbed his neck and grimaced.

“He claimed that you were a dangerous man. And that I should stay away from you.”