The two of us, irrevocably joined.
6
ISABELLA
How many times can a heart break, over and over again?
Niall’s words echo in my ears as I sink into a chair, watching him walk back down the hall to where he’d left Connor and Liam. My chest aches, my heart feeling as if his words were a physical pain, and I press my hand to the front of my dress, trying to breathe.
What he said felt so final, more so than ever before. I want to argue, to plead with him, but I could see from the look on his face that it would be no use. Nothing will change, especially not today.
I sit there for a long time, wiping at my face and fighting back more tears, before I hear footsteps in the hall. I don’t want to appear weak in front of Liam and Connor.Iknow that I’m telling the truth, that the tests will show that my baby is Niall’s, and I know now that will bind me not just to Niall, but to these others that inhabit this new world I’ve been thrown into. Like it or not, they’re a part of this, and I have to be strong. I have to be able to fight for my future, mine and my child’s.
I told the truth when I said I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. But it has, and there’s no going back.
“I’m sorry for how my brother behaved.”
I see black leather shoes in front of me, and I look up to see Liam’s strong-featured face looking down at me, his mouth twisted in an expression meant to be kindly from behind his ginger beard.
“It’s alright,” I manage, and Liam shakes his head.
“No, it’s not. My brother can be overly blunt at times, and this was one of them. We’ve spoken about it, him and Niall and I, in private. He’s not one to apologize himself when he doesn’t see that he’s fully in the wrong, so I’ll do it for him.” He lets out a breath, gazing down at me. “I can’t pretend that I’m all that happy myself with the way things have shaken out, but you’re here, and if Niall believes this is the right path then I’m inclined to support him.”
“You’re very close.” I cock my head slightly, looking up at him, and Liam gives me a small, tight smile.
“Like brothers,” he says simply. “Closer than me and my blood, at times. So I’ll do all that I can to see Niall’s interests protected. But bear in mind, lass, that I’ll protect you only so long as your interests and Niall’s align. If it comes down to choosing to protect you or him, I’ll choose Niall. Aye? And the Kings will side with me.”
“I understand,” I say softly, and I do. “You don’t know me. But believe me when I say that I only want what will make Niall happy. I—I didn’t mean to cause all this trouble for him.”
Liam looks down at me keenly, glancing sideways at the hall to see if Niall has come out yet. “Do you love him, Isabella?” he asks bluntly. “Or was it only about pleasure, and now it’s gone wrong?”
I frown. “Would you believe me if I said I did? We haven’t known each other all that long—”
Liam laughs, an oddly soft sound coming from his strong, masculine face. “Lass, I knew I loved my wife from the instant I set eyes on her. She was mine from the moment we met, in Viktor’s safe-house. It was a long and painful road to get there, but I never doubted I loved her, no matter how crazy others thought I might be, or how far I had to go in order to get her back. So yes, if you said you loved Niall, I would be inclined to believe you. Or at least, believe that you feel something that might be love, in time.”
“I don’t know.” I keep my voice low, not wanting Niall to overhear, especially not after the conversation we just had. “Niall was my first. I didn’t think he’d be my last. I thought that would be whoever my father gave my hand to. I didn’t let myself think about loving him, only that I wanted as many minutes with him as possible, before they all ran out. But now, what I feel—” I shake my head, my eyes burning. “It doesn’t matter what I feel. He can’t love me. So loving him will only tear me apart. I have to focus on the only thing that matters now—our child.”
Liam looks at me for a long moment. “Indeed,” he says finally. “Well, we have a place arranged for you. I’ll go with you and Niall, to get you settled.”
A door clicks open a moment later, and I look up to see Niall walking down the hall towards us. As always, my heart leaps slightly at the sight of him—his black hair, chiseled face, and those blue eyes that feel as if they’re cutting straight through me, seeing everything without my speaking a word. Every time I see him, I feel that almost magnetic pull, a desire to go to him, to be so close to him that nothing could ever come between us.
I don’t know if that’s love or lust, but I know that denying it feels as if I’m being torn to shreds, every time.
“There’s a car waiting outside,” Liam says, gesturing towards the door as I stand slowly. “Shall we?”
The ride to my new apartment is quiet and a little awkward. I sit in silence, wanting to reach for Niall for comfort, and knowing I can’t. It feels as if Liam is appraising us, watching us, even though I have no idea if that’s actually true, or just my nerves. I clench my hands together in my lap, feeling more than ever like a burden, something to be taken care of, dealt with and checked off a list.
I know Niall doesn’t want me to feel that way, but I don’t know how else to feel. I’m being tucked away somewhere to be kept safe, until they can figure out what to do with me next.
We pull up in front of a tall, gleaming high-rise, all modern, black and steel. The lobby that we walk into is marble and black and gold, all Art Deco styling, with a doorman in a crisp black uniform and a pretty blond woman behind a front desk dressed similarly. Everything is gleaming and new, the first floor resembling more of an indoor retail establishment than a residence.
Niall whistles. “This place is a hell of a lot fancier than mine.”
I flush instantly as I look at him, feeling embarrassed and guilty. “I didn’t ask for anything so nice,” I murmur, glancing between the two men. “I know my father is wealthy, but—I don’t need this. I’d be fine anywhere—you don’t have to go to this kind of expense for me.”
Niall looks slightly chagrined as he meets my eyes. “It was a joke,” he says quickly. “I choose to live somewhere simple. I’m not trying to make you feel badly, Isabella, I promise, and I’m sorry.” He gestures around us. “A bougie place like this, with doormen and a yoga studio and an artisanal coffeeshop and wine bar on the premises, that would make me bloody uncomfortable, like living in a fuckin’ hotel instead of a home. But I want you to be comfortable, Isabella. I want you to be able to have anything you need, easily, without having to go far for it or feel like you’re putting one of us out to keep you safe. This place can facilitate that, and it has round the clock security besides. We’ll be adding some of our own, of course, but it’s already tight enough that no one should be able to get to you.”
“Remember that you’re not to go out without either a member of the Kings’ security team, Niall, me or Connor, or one of our wives,” Liam reminds me sternly as we walk to the elevator. “It’s very important that you remember that, Isabella. Connor was right about one thing—youmustfollow the rules if we’re going to continue to support and protect you. You can’t put yourself or anyone else in unnecessary danger. Is that understood?”