Page 188 of Barinov

“No it’s not,” he grits out. “I’m your father. I should’ve been there. I missed too much, but I’m not missing another second. Not again.” His voice softens slightly. “I’ll be right here the whole time.”

“O-okay,” she sobs while nodding.

“I promise I’ll be the first face you see the second Lex brings you out of that house.” He sucks in another deep breath. “I love you, Bella.”

“I love you too, Dad.” Her voice breaks on the word dad.

She leans into me, pressing her forehead into my shoulder.

“And Bella, don’t ever—”

“Ugh, guys,” Ty’s panicked voice cuts in. “We’ve got a problem.”

“What is it?” I ask.

Her head snaps up.

“Luca’s on the move.”

“What?!” I rasp.

Brett’s smug laugh comes through the line. “So… good news. I just sold fifteen M4s. Bad news, the fucker’ll probably be dead before we get paid.”

“Too bad,” Ty snorts.

“Yeah, he kept lookin’ around for her,” Brett adds. “Couldn’t stall him anymore.”

“Fuck,” I say, pocketing my phone. “He’s coming.”

“Izzy?” Luca’s voice sounds from the hallway. “Izzy where’d you go, my darling?”

Her eyes widen. “Get in the closet.”

“What?”

“Just get into the closet,” she snaps, shoving my mask into my hand. “I have an idea.”

“Wait!” Knox screams in my ear. “Tell her to wait for the signal.”

“Knox says you need to wait for his signal,” I say nearly stumbling as we hurry toward the closet.

“Okay,” she whispers, pushing me harder. “Just get in there.”

I step into the closet and she slams the door shut. I hear her heels clicking as she walks back over to the vanity in the corner.

The door creaks open.

“Darling?” Luca asks. “What are you doing in here?”

“Oh,” she says, her voice soft and sweet. “I was sick of my hair getting in the way of my necklace so I came in here to braid it real fast, love.”

My stomach twists at the sound of her voice. Way too high-pitched and way too happy for all he’s put her through.

“That’s better,” Bella chirps. She must be finished with the braid because I can hear her ushering him to the door. “Now, let’s get back to the party. I didn’t spend all this time planning it for us to hide in our guest room.”

The door clicks shut.

“That was close,” I whisper, running a hand down my face. “Ty, head back to the truck. I’ll meet you there. Brett, stay inside like planned in case that fuck tries to talk to you again.”