Chapter Two
Isaac stared down at Cosette as she cowered on her knees in the sand with her hands over her head. She reached up and tugged on Isaac’s pant leg. “Get down! He’ll kill us both!”
More pops, whistles, and crackles came as fireworks lit the sky, some fired low over the water, some exploding over the beach or the resort. Seth and Caleb. Those two were going to hurt someone someday. It was a miracle they hadn’t yet.
He bent down close and touched Cosette’s shoulder. She was trembling. What in the world? He’d seen vets with PTSD who reacted like this to a sound like gunfire. What had happened to Cosette? Luke had said that her ex-fiancé was affiliated with the Vegas Mafia. Had the man done something to her to not only destroy her vibrancy and innocent smile but also terrify her? Isaac’s gut tightened with anger at the man and concern for Cosette.
“Cosette?” he said softly. “Cozy? It’s just fireworks. You’re okay.”
“Fireworks?” She glanced up at him, terror in her deep blue eyes. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Seth and Caleb told me they found a bunch left over from New Year’s Eve and they were going to set them off. I’m sorry it scared you.”
He reached out his hand. She took it and shakily let him lift her to her feet and wrap an arm around her waist. Normally, he would’ve loved having her close to him, if circumstances were different and she wasn’t obviously terrified.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She stared up at him. Her lips parted, and he hoped she would confide in him. He had almost another week of leave. He would happily spend that time protecting her, hunting down her slimy ex, and making sure the guy stayed far away.
“I’m exhausted,” she said. “Do you mind walking with me back to my room?”
Not the answer he wanted. He didn’t want to let her to go, and he really wanted to know why she’d react to a firework pop as if it were a terrorist with a machine gun. “Of course,” he said.
Keeping his arm firmly around her waist, he walked with her through the resort and to the bank of elevators closest to her suite. She fit perfectly against his side. She was average height and came about to his chin. He wished his crazy brothers hadn’t set off the fireworks and interrupted him. He’d been feeling pretty brave with her father finally acting like he approved of him. Isaac was going to tell Cosette that he’d always been interested in her. If it went well, he was going to kiss her like he had that night so many years before. Would her kiss now be as perfect as it had been then? All those plans had now been re-routed.
As they rode up in the elevator, he looked down at her and said, “Cosette. What happened out there? Have you … been in a bad situation?”
She harrumphed and stepped away from him, making his arm fall heavily to his side. Her sunny, happy personality had obviously been affected by either her mom’s death, her life’s struggles, or her loser ex, possibly all three. He wanted to help her stay safe and smile again.
The elevator opened and she strode out, not looking at him. Isaac caught up to her as she hurried down the hall to one of the large family suites. When they reached the door, Cosette pushed out a heavy breath. “I didn’t bring my purse or a key with me. We’ll have to knock.”
Isaac rapped his knuckles against the door. “Why do you seem so disgruntled about it?”
“You know I love my dad, but it’s been hard with my … impulsive personality to convince him that I’m an independent adult and don’t need an overprotective father anymore.”
Isaac’s eyebrows rose. He didn’t blame her for wanting to be independent, and he had his own reasons for not wanting her father to be overprotective, but he also wanted to know what had happened to cause her to react to fireworks like that. She didn’t seem inclined to tell him. It was one thing to be independent, but it was quite another to fall to the ground screaming when fireworks went off. She needed some help. He wished he could provide it.
Blaine swung the door wide and grinned between the two of them. “How was the walk on the …” His voice trailed off, and concern filled his gaze. “What happened? Cosette, you’re pale.”
Cosette shook her head and pushed past her dad into the room.
Blaine glared at Isaac. “What happened?” he demanded.
“I’d better step in the room,” Isaac said, keeping his voice level and calm as a vein was pulsing in Blaine’s neck.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You seem to have upset my daughter.”
“Dad!” Cosette said sharply. “All Isaac did was help me and kindly escort me upstairs.” She lowered her voice. “Some fireworks went off and I … thought they were gunshots.”
“Oh, Cosette.”
Isaac looked at her dad. “Can I step in the room, please?”
Blaine stepped back. “Yes, please.”
Isaac walked into the room, and the door closed behind him.
“Won’t you sit down?” Blaine said in a muted voice.