Alexander.
I paused on my laptop as the door creaked open and Isabella let herself in, her expression grim and sad.
"What happened?" I asked her, abandoning my work as I reached for her.
"Why did you have to do that to Sophia?" She questioned. I should have known this was about her.
I ran a hand through my hair. "Sophia's hard to control and I had to handle the situation." I said.
"By drugging her?" She interjected.
"We're not doing this tonight." I said.
"Why is there always a reason for us to argue every single time?" Isabella asked. I paused, letting her words sink in slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"We always have a cause to fight or argue. If it isn't about Rena, it's about you or me or this marriage. We can't keep going like this." She said.
I rubbed my temple tiredly, knowing she's right and we needed a solution too.
I sighed. "What do you want?" I asked as I packed up. This isn't how I imagined this marriage to be anyway so I'll let her have this one.
"Firstly you need to manage your anger." She said.
I shrugged absentmindedly. "My anger is always justified."
"Doesn't mean you should hurt yourself." She said and my knuckles stung almost immediately, the faint crimson red still a bit obvious.
"I'm fine." I said, hiding my hand away from her sight.
Isabella laughed sarcastically. "Stop being so cold and let me help." She said, opening up the first aid kit.
"What happened between you and Sebastian?" She asked as she wrapped up the last bandage.
"New York and Chicago have never gotten along for years. Sebastian and I are no different." I explained.
She looked at me like I just said the dumbest thing ever. "So there's no solid reason for your hatred?" She deadpanned.
"There is but the war between us overshadows it." I explained. The first aid kit snapped shut as she returned it.
"So basically you're telling me that I won't ever see him again." I sighed, running a hand through my hair not knowing how to lay it down for her to understand. I couldn't risk her going to meet Sebastian and at the same time I can't tell her she cannot meet with her own cousin.
"I'm sorry little one but I can't take that risk." I said. Isabella's eyes narrowed into slits at my words but she kept her mouth shut, something I needed right now. Tomorrow's not going to be good and I know it, not only do I have to face Hernandez but also the under bosses when they find out that I married a girl from the Outfit.
"I think I got my answer." Isabella said, her voice cracking. Normally, I wouldn't give two shits about crying but somehow her tears seem to affect me in a way I really disliked.
I looked away once Isabella's eyes threatened to turn glassy with tears. "I'm sorry it has to be thus way, he's my enemy and there's nothing I can do to change that fact." I said in a grim voice.
"I want to go to college." She said, switching topics so fast I'd give her credit for nearly confusing me.
I grimaced. "Isabella." I barely warned.
Her shoulders slumped nonchalantly. "You won't let me see Sebastian, it's the least you could do. Besides, I've always wanted to go to college until you came along." The last part was barely a whisper but I heard it anyway. It wasn't a lie. Though I stormed into her life like I owned it from the beginning, I didn't consider what she'd wanted or what she was even doing at the time.
"I need time." I said.
Anger flashed though her features before it disappeared again like it was never there.
"You don't need time and you know it Alex. Your sisters are in college, so what's the problem of I decide to attend college." She said.
Seriously does she ever give up? "It wasn't my decision to let them go to college and they won't be there for long. They've come of age for marriage." I said.
"You're not getting them married." She said. I scowled and got up, closing the distance between us.
"You can't decide for them, they're my sisters." I growled.
"Don't talk like they're not also my family, they're just too young to get married." She said, her demeanor oddly calm.
"There's an age limit to marriage in our world." I said.
Her gray eyes sparkled. "Have you asked them if they want this?" She asked.
I scowled. Kia and Julia might not argue with me but Sophia will and the last thing I want is my parents interfering.
Speaking of parents ....
"My parents will be visiting tomorrow." I said. Isabella's eyes widened as she nearly choked at my words.
"And you're just telling me this now?" She hissed.
I masked my amusement at her sudden less calm self. "Relax they'll be here for lunch." I drawled. Her curled fists met my chest in an attempt to shove me but failed due to my body size.
"Lunch? I'll never finish up by then!" She said throwing her arms up in the air as an expression of despair.
I raised a brow at her. "Are you trying to impress my parents?" I asked, a smile threatening to sneak through my lips.
"Don't hate me but your mother can be intimidating some times." She said with a cringe. I laughed, surprised that the strange noise had left my lips but I couldn't help it.
Isabella's lips parted in shock. "You laughed." She barely whispered.
I looked at her like she'd just said something dumb. "You make it sound like I committed a crime." I scowled. Isabella laughed this time, probably not surprised that I'd scowled again but I waved her off and walked back to the bed and laid down.
I felt the bed dip underneath Isabella's weight as she laid next to me, her body facing mine.
"Do they know about Rena?" She asked. I gave a short nod and turned on my back as I turned off the lights. I looked up at the ceiling, staring into the calming darkness, no sound that indicated that Isabella was asleep and just at the thought of it, her knee brushed my thigh softly as she curled up next to me.
Goosebumps peppered my skin at the contact and that only deepened my frown. I didn't like that she had a strange effect on me.
"Alex?" She whispered. I replied with a soft rumble and stole a glance toward her and even in the dark I still noticed her.
Dammit.
"Good night." She said and I could almost hear the smile in her voice. I nearly rolled my eyes but decided not to keep my mouth shut.
"You're supposed to say it back."
Her knee brushed my skin again and I nearly snapped at her. Instead, I grabbed her knee and stopped her from bumping into me the third time. I have no idea what I'd do if that happens.
"Stop moving." I said. I dropped my hand, grateful that she finally stilled and the room was once again silent.
"Good night little one." I said in a low voice.
Maybe I shouldn't have said it back because some how by the next morning, we found our bodies entangled with each other and our faces barely an inch from the touching, not sure o mention our intertwined fingers.
Fuck this is happening fast.
And I don't think any of us will be able to stop whatever happens next.