Chapter Ten
Isaias threw his jacket onto the back of a chair as he walked into his home. After extensive work and many additional security systems, he had decided that it was safe to return, although he still had a security team stationed around the property. They operated out of Becky's house, since it remained unoccupied. Hopefully it was enough to deter anybody from trying to come at them again. And if it wasn't? Then there were people to help protect Becky, Adela and Luci.
Adela was with Luci in the kitchen, the baby playing in the oatmeal on her tray while her mother made supper.
"Smells good." Isaias grabbed a glass of water. "Where's Becky?"
"She got four chapters written and decided to go for a run." Adela eyed him for a moment. "So how are you two doing? I mean give me details, none of this 'we're figuring it out' that Becky gives me."
Isaias hesitated a moment. What did he say? That he loved going to sleep with Becky in his arms and waking up with her warmth next to him? That even when she accidently woke him during the night he didn't mind, because it gave him a reason to worship her body? That maybe he hadn't felt this deep desire to be with any other woman before, but every time he saw Becky he wanted to tear off their clothes and have her? That the idea of her leaving him sent him into cold sweats and he didn't know how he was going to go back to being alone?
It was too much for even him to sort through. He didn't want to have to admit it out loud and then have Adela react in her usual way. He grabbed some plates from the cupboard and began to set the table.
"We're doing good," he mumbled. "It's complicated."
"Complicated. Right." Adela shook her head. "Complicated as in that you're both falling in love with each other and don't want to admit it."
Isaias frowned. "Uh… no. That's not it at all."
"Isn't it?"
"No." Falling in love? No. That couldn't be happening. Suddenly he didn't want to be around Adela. "I've got some paperwork to do. Call me when supper is ready."
***
"Okay, what's the surprise?"
Becky bounced on her toes, her curls flouncing around her. Her eyes sparkled and Isaias grinned at her. He had to resist the urge to drop his gaze to her bouncing breasts, knowing if he did that he might just have to carry her to their room and make her wait longer for the surprise she was so excited about.
"Close your eyes," he demanded. "I didn't have Adela drag you out all over town just to ruin the surprise now."
She closed her eyes and slapped her hands over them. "There. Not looking. Take me to it."
He snickered. She was impatient, that was for certain. Presents and surprises always had her lighting up like a kid at Christmas. It had been almost a month since their marriage started and he found himself constantly surprised by her. He was always learning little new things that had him admiring her more. Their adventures in bed were only getting better too and she had just finished writing her book. Apparently, she had done it in record time and was just polishing up spelling and grammar before letting him at it.
"This way." He put his hands on her hips and guided her down the hallway. She giggled and he paused to nip at her earlobe, a motion that always made her moan.
"Is that my surprise?" Her hands dropped and she half-turned. "Mid-afternoon sexy times? I'm game if you are."
Isaias narrowed his eyes, trying to look stern. "Close your eyes."
Becky let out an annoyed huff and did as he said. They continued on until they got to the room that had been set aside for her writing use. There, Isaias put his hands over hers and eased her in, before turning her around so he could stand beside her present.
"Okay. You can look now."
Becky whirled. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Her chest started heaving, hands shaking. Isaias watched, nervous she was about to faint. Then she suddenly burst out laughing. She jumped up and down, throwing her hands into the air. With a shout, she danced in a circle and ran to the vintage oak writing desk he'd found for her.
"Oh, it's beautiful!" She threw herself over the desk and ran her fingers over the hand-carved figures. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. "It's so beautiful. How did you know what I wanted?"
"You told me. Remember when you dragged me to that antique store?"
Becky beamed at him, tearing herself away from the desk to throw herself into his arms. "I didn't think you were really paying attention."
"Darling, I always pay attention to you."
She kissed him, teasing his lips open at once. He lowered her onto the desk but before he could indulge his fantasies, she tore away and started to pet the desk again.
An admiring sigh escaped her lips. "It's perfect. I can't wait to move it into my house."
Isaias froze. Her house. He swallowed hard as his heart pattered against his ribs. Was that her way of saying that she was ready for their game of make-believe to be over? She wanted to live separate lives again?
You're both falling in love with each other. Adela's words came back to him. Clearly she didn't know what she was talking about.
"We should move it right away," she continued, oblivious to his inner turmoil. "I love Luci but when she starts screaming I can't concentrate."
"You've finished writing."
"Revisions are harder than writing. And besides, having it over at my house will give me an excuse to get moving earlier in the morning. It's too tempting to just lie in bed all day when you keep me up all night."
She turned towards him with a grin but it faltered when she saw the expression on his face. He tried to smile, knowing that he was being ridiculous.
"I know you still worry, even if you've dismissed our bodyguards," she said gently, as though that was what he was thinking. "But we've got a security system over there too, and the fence goes around both our properties. We haven't even received any threats since that last attack."
"Right. Of course." Isaias sucked in a deep breath. "That's not what I was thinking, though."
Her brow crinkled.
"When you talked about moving it to your house… it made me think that you were wanting to move back over there. Like you didn't want to be here anymore."
The familiar flush rose in her face. "That's not it at all."
"I know. I just overreacted." He flashed his dimples at her but Becky still looked upset. He reached for her, wishing he hadn't said anything. "Hey. I don't want you to go, either. I like having you around. It feels… it feels good."
"Good. Because I like being here. You know, even though it might have been fake when we first got engaged... since then it's started to feel r—"
"Adela!"
Isaias jumped as the voice roared through the house. He turned, a growl rising in his throat.
"Adela!"
Without a word he tore from the room. His bear rose as adrenaline surged through his blood. He didn't bother with the stairs, vaulting straight to the floor below. Marcus stood in the room and snarled at him. He tried to push past him but Isaias wouldn't let him. The other bear swung at his face and Isaias ducked before throwing him against the wall.
"What is going on?" Adela appeared in the doorway, eyes wide. "Isaias! Let him go."
"He attacked us once before in our house, I'm not letting it happen again," Isaias snarled back. "What are you doing here, Marcus?"
Marcus shoved him off and turned towards Adela. "You have to come with me. Right now."
Her jaw dropped. "What?"
"No time for that. Just come with me." He reached for her hand but she yanked away.
Adela moved out of his reach. "Are you high or drunk? You know what? It doesn't matter. Just get out of here."
Marcus snarled, stepping forward. "Not happening. Now are you going to come or do I have to carry you over my shoulder? Where's the baby, you can't leave her here."
Adela's hands clenched. "My baby is none of your concern."
As Marcus went to step forward, Isaias pushed between them and shoved him back. The hair stood on the back of his neck and he growled a low warning. Becky stood on the stairs, watching with wide eyes. The whole situation would have been laughable, if he wasn't afraid of Marcus doing something that would hurt one of the women.
"Adela, please," Marcus snarled. "Just listen to me."
"You lost all rights to have her listen to you. Now get out or I'll—"
The door burst open. Four men poured in. As Isaias turned to face them, two shifted into bears and lunged at him. Marcus sunk his fist into Isaias' stomach, making him double over. His bear rode the pain, springing from him almost violently. It was too late. The two bears that had shifted were already on him. Claws dug into his legs and they bit hard on his back and shoulders. Marcus vaulted over them and grabbed Adela. Isaias roared.
Adela screamed and stomped on Marcus' foot, then one of the others was there. He grabbed Adela's legs, and both he and Marcus began to carry her outside. Isaias turned to help her but the two bears shoved him into the wall. One of them locked its jaws over his muzzle, making it difficult to breathe. He slapped at them but, stuck between their bodies and the wall, he couldn’t get the space to land a decent blow.
The third unshifted bear lunged up the stairs at Becky. She screamed and kicked him in the face but he caught her by the ankle. Marcus reappeared and dove on top of her, pinning her arms behind her back.
A plaintive roar echoed from his chest. Isaias shook off one of the bears and jumped at Marcus, but the bear jumped back on him and pinned him to the ground. Becky screamed again as Marcus and the other one dragged her outside. Somewhere in the house, Luci was crying.
Marcus marched back in, holding a shotgun. Isaias' heart seized as he pressed it into his forehead.
"We want the baby, too?" one of his companions asked.
"No way. I'm not dealing with a screaming kid," Marcus replied. "Shift back to human form, Durant. Now."
Marcus' companion scratched his head as Isaias snarled. "Let's take the kid and—"
"I said no!" Marcus slammed the butt of the shotgun into Isaias' face and pressed the barrel into his eye. "Shift!"
Hatred burning through his body, Isaias obeyed. His arms were yanked behind his back and secured by zip ties. Marcus grinned at him, a wild look in his eye. "Good. Now be a good boy and think about what you've done."
"I'm going to kill you, I swear—"
Marcus slammed his fist into Isaias' stomach. The air left his lungs in a whoosh and the other bear stepped back, shaking out his hand. "Contact the cops and the humans die, Durant. We'll be in touch."
He slapped the arm of his companions and they disappeared through the door. Isaias fought against his restraints but they were too tight. Above the sound of Luci crying, he heard the victorious roars of his enemies and the screech of tires.
And then they were gone, and he was left roaring in futile anger.