Hello, hello, hello! Thank you all SO much for your love with this story! Shall we get on with it?
Dad had assured me that Isabella would probably sleep for the rest of the day, and possibly throughout the night. Even without doing any blood tests, he could tell she was lacking in a lot of different vitamins and minerals. He got to work talking with Grandfather and Mom about certain foods and supplements which she needed. Just for a fraction of time, I felt as though it wasn't just me now. I could take a breather, because the family would help, too. The thing is, I didn't want the breather, I wanted it to be me and only me who cared for her. Yes, I was grateful and relieved that dad would help, but I didn't want anyone taking my spot next to Isabella.
When his plan had formed and was settled, I debriefed them all on the extraction and the days following, giving them as much information as I could. In return, I was filled in by my grandfather about most of the men who had been eliminated. Other details would come with the arrival of the rest of my family.
With most of the details sorted out, and the adrenaline calming in my body, I settled myself in my room, hoping to sleep.
I finally managed to get some decent rest. I relaxed a little, knowing that Isabella was safe, and so was my family; I felt as though I could actually breathe for the first time in months. I'd known when I started out on this it would be hard, I just hadn't contemplated how hard until it was all over.
When this all started, so many years ago, it'd felt like a rescue mission to me. I owed a debt to the person who saved my little sister. This tiny person who had put a stranger in front of her own safety, without a single thought to anything else.
As time went on, my feelings for her morphed, each time I learned about our savior. The small girl who had once stood in front of me had changed into a beautiful young woman, and I had fallen fast. Even Mom hadn't seen it coming so quickly. Now I just had to help repair the girl who seemed so utterly broken.
I had to find a way to be strong enough for the both of us, both physically and mentally.
...
I woke up late the following morning to find the house filled with light and silence. I was eager to see my family, so I rushed through my morning routine and went in search of them; and Isabella.
Mom and Dad were in the kitchen; Mom was baking, and Dad was reading the newspaper. My heart dropped a little when I saw Isabella wasn't there. I knew Grandfather had gone back to the city last night but was gutted Isabella wasn't about.
"She's still in bed. Taking into consideration her exhaustion caused by what she's been through, and the jet lag, she'll be out of it for some time I think," Dad said quietly as I sat down at the table.
Mom gave him a wink before I had even opened my mouth to say good morning, but I was pleased that he knew what to say.
"Thanks," I mumbled as Mom passed me over a strong cup of coffee. "Have you heard from the others?" I asked no one in particular.
"They'll be home tomorrow, and then we'll debrief fully. Do you think Isabella is up to hearing everything yet?" Dad asked.
I was somewhat shocked that he asked me. He was the doctor, not me.
"Son, you've spent the most time with her so far, and granted, it isn't a lot, but being with her is better than any piece of paper I can read," he said.
"I don't have a clue. She seems quite strong, she's certainly got fire in her, but I don't know if that's her character or because of what she's been through," I answered honestly, my stomach twisting. I didn't want to think about what Isabella had been through.
It was imperative for me to stay detached as much as possible. If I wasn't careful, my personal feelings for her would get caught up in what happened, and I'd be far more dangerous. I wouldn't stop until every fucker who'd ever caused her any amount of suffering was dead. No, I had to keep my head on me. I couldn't become reckless.
Is Isabella strong enough, though? Would she ever get over this? Would she fight? Out of all the information, we had found out, we knew she was feisty. She had spirit; she just had to fight. She had to.
After I finished my coffee, I went for a swim. Swimming had always helped me clear my head, and it had been weeks since I'd done it. I briefly thought about when Isabella was younger. In one of the interviews, I was told that she liked to go swimming at the beach.
We didn't live near the beach here, but I could always take her if she wanted to go. She could do a lot of things now that she was free. Sighing deeply, I shook my head; swimming wasn't clearing it this morning.
I got out of the pool and went for a shower, desperate not to remember the moment from seven months ago, when her file had come skidding across my desk at the club. That night it seemed everything we had worked for in the last few years had suddenly come to a stop.
Every time I closed my eyes, Isabella's eyes stared up at me from the photo in the file.
Those deep, dark, brown eyes. The sweet smile playing at her lips. Her hair a wild mess of long, thick curls, sweeping around her shoulders. Hard to believe she'd only been fourteen when it was taken. I had learned so much about her, her family, her situation.
At the time I'd felt protective of Isabella, like a brother. With one decision, one movement, she had saved the life of my precious sister. Something which I had failed to do. But now, now it wasn't such a brotherly feeling.
I had fallen for the girl, and she didn't even know. I had studied her, gathered every single bit of information, and produced this vision in my heart of her. I had dreams where all I wanted to do was make her smile or laugh. I had several pictures of her as she grew up through the years and I spent countless hours wondering how she would look when she was older. There wasn't a single way she could have grown to be any more beautiful. Worst of all, I didn't think I could stop myself from falling further. My feelings had started to grow just a couple of months ago when recent pictures came to light.
My surveillance team had managed to get several pictures of her, before she went back to Ms. Maksimov. It had been pure chance that Isabella was even returned to that devil of a woman. I was already being prepped to 'buy' another girl to bring down the ring before Isabella came back. Some organizations were getting just a bit too big and needed to be taught a lesson. Ms. Maksimov was just one we had our sights on.
A few of Ms. Maksimov's men had gone rogue, causing her to panic, and I knew my time would be short. The window of opportunity to get Isabella would be slim. I knew what happened to the girls who didn't get sold. I was not prepared for that to happen with Isabella.
When I caught a glimpse of Isabella being pulled through Ms. Maksimov's large club during a negotiation meeting, I changed my mind on the spot and told her I wanted that girl instead. It was my chance to get Isabella and save her. Once the family learned of what I'd seen, the plans had been changed rapidly, and things stepped up a gear.
Dad knocked on the bathroom door to tell me Isabella had woken up. All of a sudden, my nerves kicked in. For the last few days, all I'd seen in her eyes was emptiness.
Now that knew she was here and around a man who had once been her doctor, would she change? Would she see me in a different light? I hoped she would.
I wasn't a monster. My work was dangerous, and I wasn't a nice man, but I would protect her with my life. I would die to protect her. We all would. And by tomorrow, she'll know that, I decided as I finished getting dressed for the day.
I made my way to her room where I found her sitting up in bed reading a book, tears streaming down her face. I rushed to her side and took the book from her fingers. I didn't know what else to do but wrap my arms around her.
"Shh, it's okay now, it's all okay," I whispered and rocked Isabella's light body.
She cried softly into the crook of my neck, her tears seeping into my shirt.
"You're safe now, Isabella. Everything's going to be okay," I whispered gently, but she shook her head.
So, here's a big question... Do you think Edward is in love with her, or in love with who he's built up in his mind? There's a big difference xxx