Chapter 166

ISABELLA

As soon as I hung up the phone with my editor, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. My promotional schedule was set, and everything was falling into place. There was something oddly comforting about having structure, knowing what was next, even though it meant juggling a whirlwind of interviews, appearances, and traveling. I was already thinking ahead to how I’d balance all of this with Luca when I noticed Knox standing in the doorway of my private room, his arms crossed, a look of quiet intensity on his face.

“Tell me more about this plan of yours,” he said, his tone demanding but not unkind.

I sighed softly, more out of habit than frustration, and gestured for him to sit. He dropped into the chair across from me, his eyes never leaving mine, genuinely interested in what I had to say. It was something I appreciated about Knox—he always made me feel like I had his full attention.

“I’ve got radio and bookstore appearances lined up around the state,” I began, pulling up my calendar to show him the dates. “Then next month, I’ll be doing the same thing in California. Plus, a few remote interviews from the publisher’s office in between.”

Knox nodded, absorbing it all. “Sounds like you’ll be pretty busy.”

“Yeah, I will be. That’s why I’m thinking about asking Rebecca to be more involved with Luca,” I said. “She’s been like a second mother to me, and I think she could help balance everything, especially when I’m traveling. Luca already loves her.”

Knox smiled, a small flicker of approval in his eyes. “That’s a good idea. He deserves all the love and stability he can get, and she’s family, in her own way.”

I smiled back, feeling a little lighter. It felt good to know that Knox was on the same page when it came to Luca. But then, he dropped the suggestion I wasn’t expecting.

“When you go to California, you should take Asher with you,” he said.

My initial reaction was a swift, internal no. I could already feel my chest tighten, remembering our last argument, the tension that still hung between us like an unspoken wall. “Knox, I don’t know…”

“I know things haven’t been easy between you two,” he interrupted gently. “But California could be a chance for you both. You’d have some time alone, away from everything, away from all of us. I really think it could help.”

I let his words settle in. The idea of being alone with Asher, away from the others, felt daunting. Yes, deep down, I loved him. I couldn’t deny that. But ever since Dominic…since the truth came out…I couldn’t stop thinking about how Asher’s reaction had been so brutal, so primal. The man I loved had kidnapped and tortured someone, and while Dominic had hurt me emotionally, he hadn’t deserved to die like that.

I understood that Asher’s instincts were driven by a desire to protect me, but it felt disproportionate, terrifying even. How far would he go next time if someone crossed a line? What if it happened again? The thought of him taking matters into his own hands, without telling me, without giving me a choice, made me feel like I couldn’t fully trust him.

“I’m just not sure,” I admitted, my voice quieter. “What if... what if he does something like that again? What if I can’t forgive him fully?”

Knox leaned forward, his voice softer, more understanding. “You love him, Isabella. And he loves you, fiercely. Maybe this time away will help you see where you stand, really talk things out, without the weight of everything else. You deserve that chance. Both of you do.”

I bit my lip, unsure. I did love Asher. I missed him, even if I was angry. But it was hard to imagine us moving forward when I couldn’t shake the fear that lingered from what he’d done.

Still, Knox had a point. Being away from the pack, just the two of us, might force us to confront those lingering issues, to face the reality of our bond, whether it was strong enough to survive this.

“I’ll think about it,” I finally said.

Knox’s smile was reassuring, and though I wasn’t entirely convinced, I knew one thing for sure: I couldn’t avoid Asher forever. At some point, we’d have to face the weight of everything that had happened between us, and maybe—just maybe—California could be the place to start.

JAX

I was leaning against the wall in the hallway, arms crossed, waiting for Knox to finish his little chat with Isabella. I could hear them talking from the other side of the house—it wasn’t that hard with our hearing—but it still rubbed me the wrong way. Knox had been pushing this idea about her spending more time with Asher, and it didn’t sit right with me. Not the way he was going about it.

The door creaked open, and I caught sight of Knox stepping out. He didn’t even see me standing there, completely lost in his thoughts. I pushed off the wall, waiting for him to pass by, and then shoved him into the nearest room. The door slammed behind us with a thud. It wasn’t until we were both standing inside that I realized we’d ended up in his room. Not that it mattered.

“What the hell, Jax?” Knox growled, narrowing his eyes at me.

I wasn’t in the mood to play it cool. “Why are you pushing Isabella so hard into Asher’s arms?”

His expression shifted from irritation to confusion, but I could see the flicker of guilt behind his eyes. I wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily.

“You know what I’m talking about,” I said, stepping closer to him. “You keep dropping hints, trying to get her to go with him to California. It’s like you’re trying to force something. Why?”

Knox crossed his arms, looking away for a second before meeting my gaze again. “Because they need it. Asher needs it. If he doesn’t do something to make things right, it could tear them apart.”

I shook my head, letting out a frustrated breath. “That’s exactly my point, Knox. Asher’s the one who needs to step up. Not you. Not me. He’s the one who screwed up. If he wants to fix it, it’s gotta come from him. Pushing Isabella into his arms isn’t going to make her forgive him.”

Knox let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to force her into anything, Jax. I’m just trying to help them find their way back to each other. They’re both miserable. You see that, right?”

“Yeah, I see it. We all see it.” I felt my chest tighten. “But that doesn’t mean we make it easy for him. He needs to earn her forgiveness, and it can’t happen by just throwing them together and hoping for the best. He kidnapped her ex, tortured him, and then dragged us into it. That’s not something you can just smooth over with a romantic getaway.”

Knox’s face softened as he took in what I was saying. I knew he meant well. Hell, we all did. But this was bigger than a weekend trip or a few sweet words. Asher needed to understand that.

“You think I don’t know that?” Knox said, his voice quieter now. “I’m not blind to what he did, Jax. But I also see how much he loves her. He’s trying, even if he’s doing it all wrong. I just… I just want to give them a chance.”

I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to calm the storm inside me. “I get it, Knox. I do. But the more you push, the more pressure you put on Isabella. And if there’s one thing she doesn’t need, it’s feeling like she’s being forced into a decision. She’s gotta come to terms with this on her own.”

Knox sighed again, his shoulders slumping as the tension between us eased a little. “Maybe you’re right. I just… I don’t want to see him lose her. Or Luca.”

I nodded, understanding the fear. None of us wanted to see our family break apart. But it had to happen naturally, not because we orchestrated it.

“Let Asher make his own moves,” I said quietly. “If he really wants to fix this, he’ll figure it out. And if he doesn’t… well, that’s on him.”

Knox was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll back off.”

“Good,” I said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “It’s about time Asher figured out what he really wants—and how far he’s willing to go to make it right.”