Isela's Love

by Sasha Cain

  “Powerful pain killers. I feel pretty good, actually.” He smirked. “Wanna go dancing?”

  Isela smiled. “How about we wait a bit on the dancing and I just sit here with you instead?”

  “Don’t ever say I didn’t ask.”

  Isela curled up next to him on the big overstuffed bed. It was considerably larger than the bed she’d had in the prison. Glancing around, she noticed the feminine touches the room held for the first time. The curtains were lacy and light. The walls were painted a pale pink and the floors were hardwood with a couple of throw-rugs, just a shade darker than the walls.

  She let out a relaxed breath and closed her eyes, enjoying the faint scent of lilacs wafting through the room. Brendan kissed the top of her head.

  “I love you, Isela,” he whispered.

  She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. “I love you too, Brendan.”

  “As soon as I can move again, I’m going to show you just how much.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It had been four weeks since they’d escaped from Guarros. Brendan was healing nicely, and faster than Jezbah had expected. Isela had gone to the farm for the day. Brendan had encouraged her to go. She hadn’t left the house in a month, staying by his side. He thought she needed a break, and she’d only been gone a couple of hours, but still, he missed her.

  Maggie sat in a chair next to the bed where Brendan sat, propped up on pillows.

  “So, since we have a little time to talk, just the two of us, are you gonna spill or what?”

  Brendan smiled wickedly, happy to have a chance to play with his older sister a bit. “Spill what?”

  “Oh, come on, Brendan. About Isela. You two seem pretty thick.”

  “Ohhh, that.”

  Maggie stood up, pointing her finger at him. “Do I have to beat it out of you?”

  Brendan gave her an exaggerated laugh. “Puhleeaze, even with broken ribs I could still take you.”

  She took his face in her hands, pretending to squeeze. “Uuuhhh, what am I going to do with you?”

  She sat back down. “Okay, I’ll rephrase the question. What is your relationship with Isela and what are your intentions?”

  “That’s two questions.”

  “Brendan!”

  He thought for a minute, of Isela’s face, of her smile, of her spirit and determination, of her giving nature. He looked at his sister.

  “I love her, Mags. More than I ever thought I could love anything. She walks in the room and I get warm. Her smile makes me lose my breath. Her kiss? I know I sound corny, but—”

  “No,” Maggie said, steepling her fingers over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. “You sound like a man truly in love, and I think it’s beautiful.” Carefully, she hugged her brother. “I’m so happy for you, Brendan.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “So what are you going to do? Has she agreed to go back to Missouri with you?”

  “I haven’t asked her yet. This is all new to her. I don’t want to overwhelm her. I thought I’d wait until I’m better and then bring it up.”

  “What if she says no?”

  Brendan ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see.”

  “What about Social Saviors?”

  “I haven’t renewed my contract, yet.”

  “But it’s your dream. It’s always been your dream.”

  “I guess I have a lot to think about. Maybe it is time I talked to Isela.”

  “If she loves you like you love her, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” She took his hands in hers. “As long as you’re honest with her. Don’t hold back. That girl has been through a lot. Something tells me she could handle just about anything.”

  “Thanks, Maggie.”

  “So when do you want to come back and stay with Darrios and me? I want all the time I can get with you before you go home, and I really would like to get to know Isela better.”

  “Actually, the thought of both Isela and I sleeping on your couch is a little weird, don’tcha think?”

  She tapped him on the nose. “Newsflash, baby brother: while you’ve been over here laying around on your ass, Darrios and Bernie, along with Pete’s help, added on to the house. We now have three more bedrooms and a second bathroom.”

  “Why three bedrooms?”

  “Well, one for a guest room, because I insist on frequent visits from you, one for Lucan, and one for his future brother or sister...but definitely not the near future, let me tell ya.”

  “In that case, I’ll tell Jezbah and Aunt Gin at dinner tonight. How does tomorrow sound?”

  “Perfect, I’ll have everything ready for you and Isela.”

  ****

  Isela went inside the main building and knocked on the office door. Darrios answered it smiling.

  “Isela, how are you?”

  “I’m fine thanks. Brendan thought I needed a break, so I thought I’d come see Mae. I hope that’s all right.”

  “Sure it is. I think she’s in the canning plant. I’ll show you where it is.”

  Isela thanked him, following his lead. They left that building, walked past three others, and entered the last one.

  “This place is really something,” Isela said, glancing around.

  “It really is,” Darrios agreed, beaming. “Bernie’s been back and forth to the States...to the other world. He’s gotten us about as state of the art as we can get around here with what we have to work with. It’s turned out better than we hoped for.”

  “I can see that. I’m sure you’re going to be very successful.”

  He crossed his fingers, holding them up. “Here’s hoping,” he said.

  Isela’s eyes grew wide as she saw Mae come around the corner. Mae’s face lit up, and she came running toward Isela, arms outstretched. The women embraced, laughing.

  Isela stepped back, holding Mae at arm’s length. “Wow Mae, look at you. You’re skinny!”

  Mae rolled her eyes, blushing. “I wouldn’t go that far, but yeah, I’ve lost some weight. Working here has really been good for me. I spend nearly all day outside, and I absolutely love it.”

  Isela fingered Mae’s hair. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.”

  Mae laughed. “I didn’t do that. It’s lightened up on its own. Jerric says it’s from being out in the sun.”

  “Well, it works for you.”

  Darrios cleared his throat. “I’m going to let you girls catch up. Mae, honey, take as much time as you like. Hell, take the day if you want to.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Derosa,” Mae called after him. She sobered, turning to Isela. “How’s Brendan?”

  “He’s good,” Isela answered. “He’s getting stronger every day. Obviously you’re doing well. How are Jerric and Pete? Jeez, with all of this stuff with Brendan, I feel like I haven’t seen any of you in forever.”

  Mae took Isela’s hand. “Don’t you worry about us. We’re all fine. I saw how badly Brendan was hurt. And after all he did to get us out of that horrible place, he deserves all of your attention. We’re not going anywhere.”

  Isela’s eyes teared up. She hugged Mae tightly. “You’re such a good friend, Mae. Catch me up. What’s been going on around here?”

  “Come on,” Mae said, motioning Isela to follow her. “I want to show you my place.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait.”

  Mae chattered on about how wonderful the farm was as they walked, how Evan and Darrios treated everyone so well, generously and with respect. She told Isela Pete was practically running production. He’d taken to it immediately, impressing everyone.

  As they approached a small cabin, Mae stopped, beaming. She swept her arm out over the little stone walkway. “This is it. Home sweet home.

  Isela couldn’t help but smile. Mae had planted just about every color of flower imaginable. The delightful fragrance treated her olfactory senses, making her want to stand there sniffing the air.

  “This is amazing,” Isela said. You
did this?”

  Mae nodded vigorously. “I wanted to see beauty when I looked outside. I love the flowers here, so...”

  She abruptly turned and ran up on the porch. She opened the door, motioning with her head, she stepped inside. Isela followed her into a small, but cozy living area. A large picture window looked out over the flower garden. A loveseat stood against the adjacent wall with an end table separating it from an easy chair.

  Across the room, there was a tiny cook-stove and sink, clearly designed for one. A table and two chairs sat in the middle of the floor. A brightly colored curtain divided the area from another hidden area. Isela pointed at it.

  “Bedroom?” she asked.

  Mae nodded. “Bathroom too. It’s just a toilet and a sink. The shower’s kind of a community thing. Men and women have different sides of the building.” She pulled the curtain aside revealing a single bed, neatly made, with a nightstand next to it. A small lantern sat on the nightstand.” So, what do you think?”

  “Oh, Mae, I think it’s fantastic.”

  Mae’s voice cracked with emotion. “You know, when Darrios, Mr. Derosa, offered me a job here I thought he was being incredibly generous. But then when he gave me this...” She took a moment to compose herself. “I have never been this happy, Izzy. Not ever.”

  Isela stroked Mae’s arm. “Awww Mae, I’m so happy for you.”

  Someone knocked on the door. Mae hollered, “Come in,” and the door swung open. Jerric and Pete strode in, both grinning ear to ear.

  “We heard you were here,” Jerric said to Isela, right before taking Mae in his arms and kissing her full on the lips.

  “What the...” Isela blurted out.

  “I know, awesome, right?” Pete said.

  Jerric released Mae, now blushing.

  “Um, yeah, Isela, there’s something else.”

  They all started laughing.

  “When did this happen?” Isela asked

  Mae shrugged. “A few weeks ago.”

  Jerric draped his arm over her shoulder, his height dwarfing her. “It took some convincing, but she finally realized how irresistible I am.”

  Mae rolled her eyes. “He pestered me nonstop until I agreed to have dinner with him.” She looked up at him adoringly. “And it just happened.”

  “They have quite literally been inseparable since,” Pete pretended to whisper. “It’s disgusting.”

  Mae gave Pete a playful shove. “Oh don’t you dare. You and Rone have been looking awfully cozy lately.”

  Pete clutched his hands to his chest acting as if he were shocked. Then he laughed. “What can I say? When you’re a stud like me, you gotta beat ’em back with a stick.”

  Isela and Mae groaned in unison.

  “I thought we could all have lunch together,” Jerric suggested.

  Beaming, Isela replied, “I would love that. It is so great to see you guys. I’ve been so caught up taking care of Brendan, I didn’t realize how much I miss all of you.”

  “How’s my man doing?” Pete asked.

  Isela nodded. “Better, much better. He’ll probably be up to coming down here in a couple weeks or so.”

  Isela glanced at the floor as she was reminded he would also be leaving her to go home. Mae reached out and grasped her hand.

  “Isela, what is it?”

  She shook her head, then bringing her head up, she plastered on a smile. “Nothing, I’m fine. I just hate remembering how badly he was hurt.”

  “But thanks to you, he’s almost better.”

  Isela barked out a laugh. “I hardly think I had much to do with it. Jezbah and Aunt Gin—”

  “If you hadn’t gone back for him, he’d be dead, Isela,” Pete said. “Don’t forget that. You risked your life to save him. Everyone knows it.”

  “Yeah and you’ve stayed with him all this time,” Mae added.

  “He loves you, Isela. Being there for him has made all the difference in his healing.”

  “It would to me,” Jerric said.

  Isela smiled. “Thanks, guys. C’mon, let’s go get lunch.”

  ****

  Another week went by and Brendan was feeling like himself again. Jezbah gave him one more week of bed rest, assuring him he could go back to normal activity after that. Brendan knew exactly what his first normal activity would be: making love to Isela...over and over for the entire night.

  Jezbah and Gin had been sorry to see Brendan and Isela leave, but they understood the bond between Maggie and Brendan. They knew they needed to spend some time together before Brendan left.

  Isela had wakened up earlier than Brendan. Not wanting to disturb him, she washed up and wandered out into the kitchen. The heavenly smell of coffee wafted through the room.

  “Aahhh, coffee,” she said.

  “I couldn’t live in a world without coffee,” Maggie said, handing Isela a cup. “Where I come from, they have machines that make coffee in like three minutes.”

  “Now that would be fantastic.”

  “Yeah, there’s no lighting the stove or waiting around for it to heat up. You push a button and voilà, coffee.”

  “You sound like you miss it.”

  “Not really.” She crouched down and wiped a bit of drool from Lucan’s mouth. He gurgled at her from his bouncy chair that Darrios had made for him. “The perks of this place more than make up for the lack of technology. In fact, the lack of technology is one of the things I love most about Celio. It’s quiet. You don’t hear horns honking or sirens blaring through the streets. I don’t have to listen to my cell phone going off every ten minutes.”

  Isela cocked her head to the side. “What’s a cell phone?”

  Maggie waved her hand in the air, picking up her cup with the other. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget I’m from another world. It doesn’t matter.” She stopped abruptly, her face opening up into a wide grin. “Good morning, Bren. How ya feeling?”

  Brendan smiled. “I feel fantastic. Good as new.” He glanced at Isela. “The only stiffness I feel—”

  “Please stop,” Maggie implored. “Judging by the look on your face, I am pleading with you not to finish that sentence. I don’t think I can handle your not-so-subtle sexual innuendos before breakfast.”

  Brendan chuckled. “Wow, someone has a dirty mind. I was going to say the only stiffness I feel is in my right shoulder.”

  Maggie blushed. “Oh.”

  “Why don’t we set the table,” Isela suggested, desperate to change the subject.

  Maggie mouthed a silent thank you, reaching into the cupboard to retrieve a stack of plates. “Darrios and I were supposed to go camping up at the lake with Evan and Sandra tonight. Bernie said there’s supposed to be some sort of spectacular view in the sky, like comets exploding or something. I guess it happens every year. Have you ever seen it Isela?”

  She shook her head. “No, the warden would never have permitted us to experience anything like that, anything of beauty.”

  Brendan stroked Isela’s arm soothingly.

  “I said we couldn’t go because I didn’t want to leave you,” Maggie explained, “but since you’re feeling so great...”

  “Oh, I get it. You want me and Isela to watch Lucan for you.”

  “No, smarty-pants, that is not what I want. We’re taking Lucan with us. Eva and Deedee will keep him plenty occupied. Those girls spoil him rotten.”

  As if on cue, Lucan squealed, clapping his hands together and bouncing up and down in his seat. Isela, Brendan, and Maggie all laughed.

  “That kid corners the market on adorable,” Brendan said, bending down to pick him up. He kissed the squirming infant’s face. “Don’tcha?”

  Brendan tickled him under his chin. Lucan squealed with delight, grabbing a handful of Brendan’s hair and attempting to stuff it into his mouth.

  “Yeah, and I think he knows it, too,” Maggie said. “Are you okay watching him for a minute? I’m going to go get Darrios so we can eat.”

  Brendan took Lucan’s wrist between h
is thumb and forefinger and waved it at Maggie. “Say ‘Bye-bye, Mommy. Go get Daddy. I’ll hang here with Uncle Brendan.’ ”

  Lucan giggled, staring at Brendan. Maggie waved her finger and pushed open the door. Brendan danced around with Lucan in his arms before setting him back in his bouncy chair.

  Isela watched, thinking what a terrific father Brendan would be. She sighed, realizing it would be another woman who would have his children, not her. Hell, the next time he came back to visit his sister, he could have an entire new family with him. A wife, a child.

  Jealousy speared her, but she refused to give in to it. Determined to enjoy the time she had left with him until he returned to his world, she merely smiled.

  “Isela,” Brendan rumbled. He stepped forward, taking her face in his hands. Electricity sparked between them as he lightly brushed his lips over hers. He wound his fingers in her hair, deepening the kiss.

  Isela’s breath caught as Brendan’s tongue intertwined with hers in a lover’s dance. Her arms slid around his waist, the smoldering heat between them turning to a slow burn. Baby coos and giggles interrupted their moment.

  Isela glanced over at Lucan then back to Brendan. “Lucan thinks we’re funny.”

  “Way to kill the moment, little dude. You’re supposed to be on my side,” Brendan whined.

  Isela chuckled. Lucan began bouncing furiously in his seat, blowing raspberries and making silly faces. Brendan and Isela couldn’t help but laugh.

  Darrios and Maggie walked in right then. “What do we have here?” Darrios asked. At the sound of his father’s voice, Lucan’s eyes widened and he clapped his hands together, all the while bouncing. Darrios picked up his son, snuggling him to his chest.

  Isela smiled to herself. She’d seen the brutal, deadly side of Darrios Derosa firsthand. He was a tough, seasoned warrior with acute instincts and impeccable fighting skills. He’d saved her life. Brendan’s, Mae’s, and Pete’s too. A look from him made most men cower in fear, but seeing him with his child almost made Isela forget he was that guy.

  Isela couldn’t take her eyes off him as he stroked the child’s hair and kissed the top of his head. The soft words he uttered as he rocked Lucan back and forth revealed a softer, more tender, gentle man that Isela would have never known had existed. She understood, now, what Maggie saw in him and she was happy she got the chance to see it too.