Chapter 72: Isabella

My hand lingers on the handle of the door.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve obsessed so much about getting through this door that it feels strange now that I’m allowed to. Free to.

I’m fully aware if there were a way for me to leave the island, Tristan wouldn’t have allowed me this small mercy, and the island itself is like one big prison. But being able to walk around is different from being locked away in a room.

After I saw him yesterday morning, I stayed in here, even though I knew I could have left the room.

I just needed some time to myself to calm down from the shock and the fear I’d experienced over the past week. Unlike the other days, yesterday it was the maid who brought up food for me. Everyone else stayed away.

Today I’m ready to step outside and see what’s happening next. On that note, I open the door and take my first free steps through it.

I woke up a little while ago and got ready to head out to the beach. I just want to walk along the shore and watch the sea roll in.

I walk the same path I did the other day, heading down the corridor then down the steps. I look at the room I was taken into to see Sacha and cast my gaze past it to the kitchen. Inside is Candace and Tristan’s brother. Candace gives me an encouraging smile, and I return it.

Turning away, I face the opened door ahead and walk through it. The sun kisses my skin as I step outside into the bright light.

The weather is beautiful, and the deep blue sea ahead looks like something you’d find on a screensaver. The picturesque scene beckons me closer, so I walk to the white sand and continue walking around, absorbing the beauty of the island.

As I walk down the beach, I see there’s a medium-sized yacht moored to a small dock. Just as I suspected, there’s the way off the island, and it’s guarded with three tall, well-muscled men who look like ex-marines.

Even if I thought I could escape, I wouldn’t stand a chance, not one in heaven nor hell.

I walk as far as I feel comfortable, seeing there’s plenty more to explore, but I stop and head back to the main section of the house to sit on the beach. That’s where I stay for hours.

It’s the longest I’ve ever been away and on my own without the constant watch or supervision of my guards. I’m an adult, and I’ve lived my whole life like a child.

Whenever Sacha allowed me freedom, I was like Cinderella, knowing she’d have to go back to her life at the stroke of midnight.

Today I got my first real taste of freedom, which is ironic since I’m still captive on this island. How is that possible?

I guess it’s the fact that I’m somewhere my father can’t find me. That is freedom, no matter the circumstance. Anywhere away from him is safe and a place I can breathe and be me.

I’ve just been sitting and watching the waves roll in and out, savoring the freedom, then thinking of what will happen next.

I have no idea what the plan is now that Tristan knows I can’t help him. I’m guessing he still needs me, probably thinking I’m still leverage.

My father wants me to marry Dmitri only to continue the legacy, but I’m certain if he were placed in a position where he had to save me, I’d be a small sacrifice.

The same as my mother. He loved her, and then he killed her.

Feeling eyes on me, I glance over my shoulder and see Tristan off in the distance gazing at me. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there.

Instead of coming over, he turns and walks away. As he does, I get the feeling he doesn’t want to speak to me. I watch him until he turns the corner, and I can’t see him anymore.

Maybe we crossed another line yesterday by sharing too much.

I know I did. I opened up to him and spoke about Eric and my mother more than I have with anyone.

At least after my mother’s death, I had therapists. There was nothing like that after Eric. I had to bring myself back and move forward on my own, finding ways to soothe my broken heart. That was where my course came in.

I had an interest in psychology right from high school. I knew I wanted to pursue it in college. It was after Eric’s death that I found my way to what I hoped would be my career. As I studied all the theories and learned about the different conditions people could have, I realized it suited me because of all I’d been through. When I went to college, I covertly saw the student counselor who helped me to get through that difficult time. I wasn’t able to reveal what happened to me or what had happened but talking helped. It was then I knew I wanted to help people who’d experienced trauma and had gone through difficult life experiences. People like me.

A slight chill in the air brings me from my thoughts. It smells like it might rain again, and the sky darkens.

It’s probably time to head back inside anyway. I’ve been out here for a while, and I don’t want to rock the nest and destroy whatever allowance this is.

I make my way back in and run into Candace, who smiles brightly when she sees me. I’m glad to see her and glad she’s here. It’s comforting to have her here. I know I would be more afraid if it was just Tristan and his brother.

“Hey, I was just about to see if you wanted lasagna,” she says.

“Thanks, that sounds great.”

“Cool, I love making it. I convinced the maids to let me cook today.” She chuckles.

“Could I help?” I offer. It would be nice to stay downstairs for a little while longer and have something to do. It would help me get used to my surroundings.

“I’d love that.”

We go into the kitchen together and start gathering the ingredients.

“Did you enjoy the beach?” she asks. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it.”

“Beautiful, and yes, I loved it. It was nice to just sit on the sand and look at the sea. Do you come here often?”

“Nope,” she answers with a sigh and reaches for a vine with some plump red tomatoes. “This is my second time coming here. It’s not a place we often visit, which is quite unfortunate. I always think it’s a crime to allow beauty like this to go to waste. But I get why Tristan wants to keep it that way.”

I want to ask her where we are but hold off. I haven’t been told that information yet, and if anyone should tell me, it’s the boss himself. Not Candace. I don’t want to use my first taste of freedom as a means to getting information, especially useless information.

I’ve decided that I’m not going to try to escape. There’s no point thinking I could do it the way I thought I could. I haven’t decided to relax and think things will be okay because I still need to be careful. I do know, though, that the only way I’ll leave this island is if I play nice and get from one day to the next. That’s the plan right now, and I’ll play everything else by ear.

“Is it true that no one can find it?” I am curious about that.

Candace nods and smiles. “That is true. I know it sounds far-fetched, but these guys have a way of doing all sorts of things. An island no one can find is just one of them. Tristan and Dominic are alike in those ways.”

“Dominic?” I guess that must be Tristan’s brother, but that’s the first time I’ve heard his name.

Candace’s cheeks flush. “Yeah. Tristan’s brother.” She realizes I haven’t heard his name spoken before either, but she doesn’t look worried like it was supposed to be a secret.

She reaches for the herbs and other seasonings and starts adding them to the minced beef.

“I can make the béchamel sauce,” I offer. I used to watch my mother making hers. She added herbs to her mixture.

“Cool. Sounds like we have a plan.”

I make the sauce and help her with the salad. We start talking about cooking, and it’s nice to be able to talk to another woman. We’re so lost in conversation that neither of us sees Dominic approach until he’s practically next to us. Next to me, and he’s holding out a phone for me to take.

“Hi, Tristan wanted you to speak to Sacha when he felt better,” he says to me, and my heart leaps at the thought of speaking to Sacha. “He’s better.”

“Oh, my goodness, thank you,” I breathe while taking the phone.

“You can go out there and speak to him in private if you like.” He points out to the back garden.

“Thank you,” I say and head outside.

I press the phone to my ear, and emotion takes me. I can’t believe the last time I saw Sacha, I promised him I wouldn’t do anything foolish. Look what happened after.

“Sacha,” I say into the phone. I hear him draw in a breath.

“My dear, Isabella,” he replies in a weak voice.

It’s so good to hear his voice. I didn’t realize just how much I missed him until I feared I’d never see him again. This is the longest I’ve ever been without him and the furthest I’ve ever been.

“I’m so sorry, Sacha. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. What’s happened is all my fault.”

“No,” he says. “Never blame yourself. It’s your father’s fault. I can’t even sugar coat it for you like I used to. We’re in a situation where everyone feels like the bad guy. But there’s just one devil, and that’s him. He’s the reason why this is happening.”

I’ve never heard him speak like that against my father.

“What do we do now?” I know the answer to that is not in his hands. It’s not for him to decide, but I want to know what he thinks.

“My dear, I don’t know. We just go along with what they’re saying and hope for the best. I’m still with them, but I suspect it’s not out of captivity. More for protection. If your father sees me again, I’m dead.”

My breath catches. This is just one big mess, but I’m slowly seeing glimpses of the real man under the harsh exterior Tristan D’Agostino shows the world.

He said he’d make sure Sacha wasn’t harmed. This is what he did. He’s keeping him safe for me.

“I’m sorry, Sacha,” I say, holding the phone closer.

“No more apologies, moya lyubov'. I pray I see you again soon. You told me I was like a father to you. I never got the chance to tell you you’ve always felt like a daughter to me. I’m sorry for the grief and the pain. I wish I could have done different things for you. I wish I could have given you a nicer life. A life where you could be happy.”

“Oh, Sacha, I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for wishing that for me.” I don’t have anyone else who would love me like that.

“I feel we’ll have to go through much before we next see each other. I know your father. I know what he’s like. The guards think you escaped, but I think he knows you were taken too, just like me. I knew you wouldn’t escape and put me at risk. He knows that.”

A chill races down my spine. He’s right. My father is no fool.

“You think he knows then?”

“I think he has a strong suspicion, but he’s waiting. It does look more like you escaped, which, if I’m honest, is good for everyone on all fronts.”

“What do you mean?” It’s a foolish question. It’s clear he wants my father stopped.

“I mean, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if these people got to your father. It wouldn’t. I have been bound to your father through my own. It wasn’t my choice, and I count myself lucky my duty was to protect you. But the amount of evil I’ve had to stand by and watch does things to a man.”

“I understand.”

“So, I think there will be much happening that will decide our fate.”

I believe that too.

“God speed, my child, please be careful,” he adds.

“I will. I promise,” I say. “Please be careful too.”

“I will,” he replies, and with that, we hang up.

I close my eyes for a few brief moments and think about what Sacha said.

I believe him when he says much will happen to decide our fate.

What I hate is that I have no control over it.

I turn to go back inside, but I stop when I find myself looking at Tristan walking through a grove of trees in the greenhouse. He’s shirtless and seems to be busy doing something. He can’t see me watching.

I want to thank him for allowing me to speak to Sacha, but I dare not go over to him.

He walks through the archway of ivy, and like earlier on the beach, I can’t see him anymore.

He still makes me curious, and I can still taste him on my lips.

I still feel desire, and it’s something I’m not sure will go away.

What will his fate be when this is over?

Will we just walk away at the end like nothing happened?

He is my dark captor, but he might just be my dark knight too.