As I turn around, he’s right there in my space. I look up at him, and my heart beats in time to a jig in my chest. My whole body vibrates, and emotion clogs my throat.
“Tell me you’ll give me another chance?” Isaac pleads. His gaze holds mine as he steps even closer to me cupping my cheek and pushing his fingers into my hair.
I stop breathing and think about his words, caressing me, loving me, and offering me everything I’ve ever wanted. Then my mind replays the last time he offered me the world before plucking it away from me. A cold shiver runs through my body as self-preservation kicks in, and I take a step back, a step away from him.
“C-can I just say no?” It comes out in question, but I mean every word. I can’t live through the pain again, never again.
His face changes, the intensity of his stare pins me, and I clutch my chest desperately trying to drag air into my lungs. His look conveys everything I need to know before he has a chance to speak. Without blinking, his eyes alight telling me that he’s never giving up on me again. Through his fixed gaze, it feels like he’s reached inside of me and is stealing my soul from deep down in my core, pulling it from me so it can reside where it truly belongs, where it’s always belonged… with him.
“I’d give you almost anything, Via, but the answer to that question is a firm no. There’s no giving in, not this time.” He threads his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me toward him until our lips are less than an inch apart. His minty breath blows across my skin with every word. “I’ve stayed away for you, I’ve come back for you, fought and almost lost you... literally. No more. I’m done with all the bullshit.”
I swallow at his words and wonder what he means when he says he stayed away for me?
“You and me, Via, how it always should have been. In this scenario, there is no choice. I’m telling you how it is. I’ll give you a week. Ask me your questions, however you want. Think shit through in your head, clear everything up. One week is all you have, and then I claim you.”
I know he’s done speaking because his lips hit mine, and it isn’t soft, caring, or gentle. It’s hot, passionate, and desperate as he shows me how he feels with every movement. His tongue glides over my lips, and I open up giving him the entry he demands. I’m helpless in his arms as he pushes me against the wall and kisses me like a man starved.
Without warning, he pulls away, and my chest heaves as my mind tries to catch up.
“One week,” he reaffirms. Then he turns and walks out of my flat.
ISAAC
Twelve fucking months.
Twelve months it’s taken to pull Shelly and me free of Doreen and the life we both signed up for. I thought I could drop out quietly. After that last job, I assumed my release was guaranteed. But yet again, to keep Via safe, I had no choice but to carry on.
When the lies and deceit went further than anyone expected, and we found the other Black Ops team on the wrong side of our fence, something had to be done. As Via and Helena were involved and almost killed, my hierarchy decided I had to choose. Bring the girls in and interrogate them until we knew there was nothing incriminating that they remembered. But I knew the type of interrogation they would use could scar them both for life, inside and out, and they’d been through enough. The other choice was getting them to sign a non-disclosure agreement and someone keeping a watch on them from afar. The only stipulation was that our team had to keep working. We were tasked with getting to the bottom of the internal problem, then bringing the whole structure down. Only then would we be granted our freedom. Only then would Via be truly free.
I spoke to my team, and they all had my back, thankfully.
Three weeks ago was our final mission. We cut down the entire operation, and both Shelly and I had our release forms signed. Kane doesn’t exist anymore, not that he has for a while now, not for me.
I’m officially back to being Isaac James. I hope that’s enough, it has to be enough.
“Did you talk to her?” Shelly asks coming out of the kitchen.
We both have a pretty hefty nest egg now, and Shelly wants to buy her own place, but she doesn’t know where she wants to settle, so I told her to stay here for a bit. There’s no family waiting anywhere for her. I’m lucky to have people who love me. The team was Shelly’s only family, and the rest of the guys wanted to stay on. Darwin took over leadership of the team, so they’re in good hands.
“I did.”
“And?” she asks, an apron on and flour over her hands and face.
“Are you becoming domesticated, Shelly?” I ask with a smirk.
“Fuck you, and answer my question,” she demands.
“I told her she doesn’t have a choice. I’ve given her a week.”
“Shit. So you didn’t go and explain anything then? You basically strong-armed your way in and told her how things were going to be?”
“Pretty much,” I answer, throwing my jacket over the back of the sofa.
“Isaac—”
“Stop,” I order cutting her off. “I know her, okay? I know what I did, what I kept from her, and I also know what I need to do. I know what Via responds to. Don’t stick your nose into
