36

DOMINIC
Fucking Isabella in the shower might not be everyone’s ideal way of saying goodbye, but I don’t know how else to do it.
I mean, this has to be goodbye, right?
Dimitry Genovese is a feared man for a reason. Because he’s ruthless and will kill anyone who crosses his path.
Isabella might be convinced that all will be fine, but I’m sure he’ll take my head off the moment he learns that I’m the one who took his daughter.
Yeah, I don’t want to risk that.
Plus, with Henry out in the world, Isabella is still in danger, and someone needs to put a stop to him.
I press Isabella up against the soaking white tiles, slamming into her over and over again, trying not to slip and cause an injury here.
I keep alternating between tightening my grip on her throat and leaning into kiss her softly.
I don’t know if I need this to be romantic or rough as fuck.
My head is all over the place.
I knew me and Isabella couldn’t last forever, but I also don’t want to lose her like this.
“Fuck, Dominic, that feels good,” Isabella cries out as the water cascades down her body. “Grab my nipples. I need you to tease me.”
I clamp her nipples between my fingers, twisting and turning until she’s purring.
My little pussy cat.
The one woman who’s my match, the only person who can play me at my own game.
I grip tighter, not wanting to let her slip through my fingers, but I already know it’s going to happen.
There’s nothing we can do about it.
Isabella jumps up and wraps her legs around me once she can’t hold herself up any longer. The pleasure is ricocheting through her, vibrating.
This tight little pussy of hers that I want to keep as my own, I have to give away. I have to sacrifice.
Life was different before.
Love was different before.
I haven’t ever felt this way about anyone. Not even Justine.
She was my wife, but it feels like Isabella is my soul.
I know Isabella didn’t say anything when I confessed my love, but she didn’t need to say it with words. I could feel it emanating off of her. She’s just too afraid to let herself really feel anything. I understand that, especially after everything we’ve been through.
Thank God neither of us can hold the pleasure in any longer. It’s so much easier to switch my brain off when I’m overcome with sensations. The burning hot bliss tearing right through me-ripping me to shreds-is so much simpler than worrying about what’s next.
Because nothing that comes next can be good for me.
“You know everythingwillbe okay,” Isabella tries her hardest to reassure me as we climb out the shower to grab towels to dry off. But it’s pointless… I don’t see my mind ever changing. “Iswear to you, this will work out, and my dad will be cool. There’s a reason he’s come to America and it’s because he wants to make sure that I’m safe and happy. He will listen this time, especially because you will be with me…”
While she continues talking, I feel my brain switching off.
My walls are going back up.
I can’t stop distancing myself. This has been happening a lot ever since Justine died. Much as I don’t want it to happen right now, it’s too late.
There won’t be space for me in Isabella’s life as soon as her father comes back into her life. I don’t think Isabella can see that, but I sure as hell can.
My phone pings.
Samantha.
She’s given me just what I need, which is good. She’s great for shit like that, but I can’t focus on it at the moment. Not when I have other things to worry about.
I’ll deal with all of that shit later on.
“Come on,” Isabella says with a soft smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
My heart is heavy. I’m not ready for any of this. But I don’t have any choice.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
We head out to the car and climb in with a heavy silence hanging in the air between us.
Even as Isabella sidles up closer to me while I start driving, I don’t feel the same connection brimming between us. She wants it, but I can’t make that sensation happen.
Not when my head is all over the place like this.
“It’s a nice day,” she comments, resorting to chatting about the weather.
I feel myself ice up more. “Mmm, sure.”
“I like it when it’s like this, all warm and cozy.”
“Uhuh.”
I wouldloveto be able to give her more. I really do want to make this a nice chat, but I don’t think I’m capable. It’s like there’s a thick ball of emotion lodged in the base of my throat, and I can’t get anything out.
“I think this is going to go well,” Isabella continues, seemingly trying to fill every moment with silence. “I keep thinking about it, and it’s going to be okay.”
I can’t agree with her.
Again, I can’t say anything.
“People might think that my father is an unreasonable man, but I know a different side to him. I know he can be talked to. Ican talk to him. I know I can make sure he helps us.”
Help her… yes, I’m sure that’s what she can do. I don’t have any doubt that Isabella can get her father to look after her.
But what he might do to me is another matter.
“Will we be there soon?” she asks, desperate to get any kind of reaction from me. “It isn’t too far away, is it?”
“Yeah, not long.” I glance at my watch. “I just need to get gas first.”
“Oh, you do?”
Yeah of course she’s going to ask that. The gas tank is pretty much full, but I need to pull off on the side of the road so I can put my new plan into action.
“Yeah, I need the bathroom too. Maybe snacks.”
“Ooh, I could go for some snacks. I might pick up some bits as well.”
“I’ll get you whatever you want. Just give me a list.”
She gives me a strange look, because I’m basically telling her not to come in the store with me, but this is important. I need to head into that shop all by myself.
“Best to keep safe, you know?” I smile, trying to play it off. “I want to protect you as much as I can.”
She frowns at me as I back away.
Isabella definitely isn’t impressed, but this is how it has to be.
We’re really close to her father’s territory anyway, so I know she’ll be safe here no matter what.
At least… I hope.
My stomach churns as I head into the gas station.
I mill about in between the shelves, acting like I’m looking for something in particular, but really I’m just questioning everything, wondering if I’m doing the right thing.
Idoneed to keep Isabella safe.
I also need to avoid her family.
This fucking sucks, but I really do think that this is the only way. I have thought this through. I have tried to plan this out properly, and this isit.
I head to the bathroom, clocking a door out the back as I go.
I guess that’s it.
That’s what I’ll have to do.
There’s a grimy mirror in the pretty disgusting bathroom, so I can’t really see my reflection properly, but I definitely don’t recognize the person looking back at me.
His eyes are sunken in.
My chest rising and falling with every ragged breath.
I can pretty much see the sickness on my face.
Fuck, every part of me hates what I’m doing-all of my instincts are screaming at me not to, but I’m not going to stop because I can’t.
I check my text from Samantha one last time.
I know where I’m going, and why this is happening.
I just have to keep reminding myself of that to keep moving forwards.
Once I gather myself up, just a little bit, I head out and pay the gas attendant. I make sure I act a little strange because I want him to notice me. I want him to pay attention so whenIsabella comes in here looking for me, he can tell her that I’ve gone.
I don’t want her freaking out, thinking something has happened to me.
Once I’ve handed over the money, I continue acting freaky. Like I have someone behind me, watching me at all times.
Then I go.
I take off running, out the back door, speeding off.
I feel like shit as I do this, and I really hope that if my path ever crosses with Isabella’s again, that she forgives me for this.
It’s the only way.
I hope she understands that this is the only way.