Alexander adjusts his head back, cocking it to the side. Hiseyebrows slightly crease, and his eyes dart over me, taking in my appearance.
I keep looking him in the eyes, waiting for him to unleash the onslaught of rage he’s been hiding behind his façade of calm.
He clears his throat, putting both hands on the desk and straightening his shoulders to take a deep breath. His tone is bitter.
“You will remain in this house until I return from New York. You will be permitted to leave only under the care of my mother. A bodyguard is to be with you at all times if you are required to go anywhere outside of this house. “
He looks at me, but I just stare at him, no tears streaming down my face, no outburst or a shocked inhale of breath. I maintain eye contact and wait. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
“My mother has scheduled your appointments for the dress fitting. The remainder of the necessities required for the wedding will take place here at my home. Your phone will remain with me till I return. I have also placed a call to your professor. He agreed with me that you would not be going back to work till after the wedding.”
His voice lowers and is laced with more aggression now since he started laying out my life.
“Anna will not be spending the weekend with you, or at any other time, while I am away. She will be allowed to attend the fitting, as well as your sister since I would assume they will be your bridesmaids. I know of no other female friend in your acquaintance. You left your laptop back at the lab in your hasty retreat, so there will be no contact with her until I return.”
My hands tighten their hold on my hair and my heart drops. His eyes drop to my hands, catching the minor stiffening of my body. I loosen my grip, trying to hide the effect his words have on me.
I fight the prick of tears as I fully comprehend what hisintentions are now.Isolation and fear.
Little does he know that has been my life since birth. I expected to be his prisoner to a degree, but I didn’t think he would take away my career. I didn’t foresee his wrath to this level, but then again, why should I expect anything less? I’ve made my decision, so I’ll just bide my time, and play by the rules.
He brings his eyes back up to mine, which have never strayed from his silver ones, and a flash of empathy softens his face. But as quickly as it came, it was replaced by the only expression I’ve known since meeting him. Hostility.
He taps his desk lightly with his finger, “The rest of today you will stay in your room. Your meals will be brought up to you.”
He waits for a reaction once more. But I don’t have one. He made the rules clear and I now fully comprehend them. I keep my gaze fixed on the fiery silver in his eyes. He clears his throat once more, his fingers now locked together on the desk.
“I fly out this afternoon and will return for the rehearsal dinner. My mother will arrive tomorrow morning to go over the week’s schedule with you. Sasha is your new bodyguard. We will station her outside your bedroom door and be with you at all times until I return.”
I sit silently as he examines me, looking for my reaction and any slight movement in my body. His features pinch together in question, but I stay perfectly still, only focusing on his eyes.
“Do you understand everything I’m telling you, Isabella?” I quickly nod at him.
He lets out an exasperated sigh, his hands opening wide. “Nothing to say? No tears?” Every word is laced with sarcasm.
I remain still, my eyes locked on his.
And that’s how the next few minutes pass. Staring at each other, waiting. Finally, he leans back in his chair, pointing to the door.
“Go to your room, Isabella. I’ll send Sasha up with yourbreakfast.”
I get up silently and open the door. Carlos is leaning against the wall and pops off it, facing me as I close the door behind me.
“Piccolo?” He steps towards me.
I smile, and softly in Italian, I say,
“Alexandre Dumas once said, ‘Women are never so strong as after their defeat.’ I have been defeated too many times before, Carlos.”I look down at the floor.“This time I’ll make sure it never happens to me again.”
I walk past him and head up the stairs to my room. Closing the door, go to the couch, and sit down. I lift my feet to the coffee table, folding my hands in my lap, waiting.
Breakfast will arrive soon.
One step at a time, Izzy. This won’t work if you lose yourself too fast. Breathe, Chester, Charlie and Chad.
I’ve always had one goal, and that was my desire to work at the museum. Art was the only constant that kept me from falling; it was the one thing my father couldn’t take away. It was mine and a gift Nonno gave me at a young age. It was a place I could immerse myself in and leave the world behind.
But Alexander has managed to take everything I thought was safe and only mine. Anna, Helen, my work. He’s left me struggling to find purchase on a ledge, desperate for something to hold on to. I feel naked and bare to the bones.
