A startled laugh escaped. Although he’d heard her call her mother the same a few times.
“Fine, let her come back, but I reserve the right to kick her out.”
Doctor Blake left the room, and Isandro sat next to her, taking her hand.
She pulled his hand up and winced. His knuckles were bruised “Did you have your hands looked at?”
He shrugged. “They aren’t broken. I’m fine. And yes, they were even X-rayed. They had me in and out in no time.”
“Was your chief upset you didn’t go back to work?”
“Nah. He understands. Even gave me the rest of the week off to make sure you’re okay.”
Arianna leaned into his side, and he put his arm around her. “Thank you for coming.”
“Anytime.”
She closed her eyes and breathed in deep.
Her mother stepped inside and covered her mouth. “Derrick did that?”
Arianna sighed. “Yeah. He did.”
“I never imagined he could do something like this,” she whispered.
“Well, he did. All because he stole from his father and couldn’t pay it back. So he wanted to swindle it out of me. Fucking bastard.”
Her mother’s mouth popped open.
“Don’t even scold me. You wanted me to throw away love for a little prick who didn’t give a damn about me, just what he could get out of me.”
“I can’t apologize enough, and I know that’s not good enough.”
“You’re right. It’s not. I don’t know that you can fix this, Mom. Right now, I don’t even care. Everything I need is right here, holding me up. He’s the one who came to my rescue, before the cops could even get there. He’s the one who stopped Derrick from shooting me in the face. The one you were so afraid of. So what if his father did horrible things? We aren’t our parents. I couldn’t be more different than you if I tried. So judging him based on his father sickens me.”
Diane nodded, tears in her eyes. “I was wrong.”
“You were.”
“Would you come to dinner soon? Both of you? Let me try to mend our relationship.”
Arianna wanted to tell her no, but Isandro spoke up, “Why don’t you come to our place? I’ll make you dinner.”
Her brow pinched.
“He’s a damned good cook,” Arianna answered.
She nodded, though it looked like she wanted to argue. “Of course,” she finally answered.
Arianna looked at Isandro. She couldn’t help thinking he’d lost his mind.
He shrugged. “If you two can mend your relationship, I’m not opposed to it.”
Diane blinked and a tear fell. “You’re nothing like your father.”
Arianna bit out, “And I’m nothing like you.”
Her mother glanced away. “Sorry. I’ll go. I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry Derrick hurt you. I’m sorry I was too blind to see how badly he was treating you. I’m sorry I let my social standing get in the way of the truth.”
Her mother stepped up to the cot and hugged her. Arianna sat there, numb.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” her mother said.
“Thanks to Isandro.”
Her mother moved past Arianna and took Isandro’s hands. “I wish I could repay you.”
“No need, Mrs. Nelson.”
She dipped her head and left them alone.
“Why invite her?” Arianna demanded.
He shrugged. “People can change. Does it hurt to give her a chance? You’re strong enough that if she hasn’t, you can shut her down later.”
“I don’t need her.”
“You don’t. But she realizes she was wrong.”
Arianna turned toward Isandro. “I want to go home.”
“What about your wrists?”
She held them up. Both were bandaged because she’d made herself bleed from all the struggling. She sighed. “The plastic cut into me. Nothing major. No stitches required, just antiseptic ointment and bandages.” She lifted an ankle and sighed. “Have to wear a brace for a little bit. He sprained my ankle when he twisted my ankle?”
“Why’d he do that?” he growled.
“Kicked the gun away.” She shrugged.
He touched the edge of the bandage on her forehead. “And how bad is this?”
She shrugged. “Only three stitches.”
“Where he hit you with the gun?”
“Think so.” Her eyes closed.
He pulled her close and tipped her head up. “What can I do?”
“Drag Doctor Blake in and get us the okay to go home.”
He smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Isandro tried to stand, but she pulled him back down. “No. I’d rather you hold me.”
“Can’t get you out of here faster if I don’t leave.”
Marissa let herself in, Brian on her heels. “There you are, Isandro. Need your statement now.”
“I’m not leaving her side again.”
Marissa’s brow cocked. “Not asking you to.”
He nodded and told them everything from the call on. Then he sighed. “Did I take his beat down too far?”
“No. He’s not even attempting to deny what he was doing. I told him it was all on video. He gave a full confession.”
“And why did you all make me wait so long to come back here?”
“Because you would have been impossible here while they were taking care of Arianna, and we needed to ask her questions. Her answers were only going to make you want to kill the asshole in question. It was better for you to stay out there while we did our job.”
Brian nodded. “Hell, I wanted to kill him for you. Trust me, it was better you weren’t there for the conversation.”
Arianna held up her hands. She still hadn’t processed the night, and she wasn’t ready to do it with an audience. “Don’t. I’m sure when it goes to trial, I’ll have to hear plenty I don’t want to hear.”
“Yeah. But he’ll plead guilty.”
Doctor Blake stepped inside. “I have your discharge papers. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you.” She took the papers and pulled Isandro toward the door.
Marissa gave her a hug. Brian squeezed her shoulder.
Isandro wrapped an arm around her and walked out the back.
Arianna turned to him. “Wait, how are we getting home?”
“Enrique brought my truck. I should call them, let them know we’re heading home. They’ll probably show up.”
“They’re sweet.”
“Only ‘cause they like you.”
“Wish my family were as awesome as yours.”
He grinned. “They’re yours now too.”
Tears filled her eyes. Not because she doubted. Hell, she knew he meant it. And as fucked up as the night had been, she’d never been happier.
Chapter 29
Arianna whimpered again, pulling Isandro from sleep. He splayed his hand over her heart and curled closer, whispering in her ear. “Ari, wake up.”
She jolted, then turned, burying her head under his chin. “Why do I keep dreaming about that night?”
He lifted her face and caught her attention. “Hey, it’s normal. Derrick could have done so much worse. Fucker’s lucky you called my name when you did. Not sure I would have stopped.”
“Almost wish you hadn’t,” she admitted. “I’m such a fool. So many years, and he was only using me.”
Isandro caressed her face. “I’ll never use you, Ari. I just want to be with you. You make everything better.”
A soft smile pulled at her lips. “I think I told you that.”
“It’s true,” Isandro whispered and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Tell me how to take the fear away.”
“Hold me. Remind me you’re here.”
“I’ve got you, beautiful.”
“Think the nightmares will ever go away? It’s been three days.”
“Eventually. Until then, I’ll wake you up if it gets bad.”
She sighed. “I sho
uld probably get up, go to the store. Figure out dinner. Maybe check on the shop. I want to see if it’s still a crime scene. Watch my orders be insane when I finally go back.”
“You know I’ll help. So will Estevan.”
Arianna rolled from the bed and tossed him a grin. “Enrique promised to help too. I’ll catch up fast. Hopefully no one is upset by the delay, but I didn’t confirm any orders but the one set, and I already sent them all messages about what happened and offered a discount or refund. No one took me up on it.”
“Because you’re amazing, and if they heard what happened, then they wouldn’t demand refunds.” He followed her into the bathroom. “So, store, shop, then back here?”
“Yeah. Got to have everything ready for everyone to come over. Oh, did you invite your brothers? Figure if it’s a family thing, I want yours there, maybe more than mine.”
“They’re coming.” He kissed her again before pulling her in the shower with him.
She jumped when the water came on, cooler than she was expecting.
He laughed. “Come here. I’ll warm you up.”
“Good thing we have all day,” she murmured, tiptoeing up to kiss him.
* * * *
Nerves started to set in as Arianna cruised around the kitchen, making sure sides were ready, cakes were done, and the steak was ready to marinade.
Hands closed over her shoulders, pulling her back. She leaned against Isandro with a smile. “Hey, baby.”
“Relax. If your mom is snotty, we can always make her leave.”
“True.”
“And you know my family loves you,” he whispered, pulling her hips back.
She felt his arousal.
“Think we have enough time for a quickie?” His hand slid under the waistband of the skirt and found her sensitive bead.
“Hope so.” She gasped.
He pulled her down the hall, hitching her skirt up as he turned her toward him. She opened his pants while he shifted her thong aside. “Love how ready you always are,” he murmured.
“You’ve made me a nympho.”
He caught her thigh, lifting her leg and sliding his hand back to push against the wall as he drove into her.
Her head fell back, hitting the wall. “Right there. God, I need you.”
Isandro kissed her, his tongue dancing with hers as he made love to her with powerful strokes that pulsed pleasure through her.
The doorbell made her jump and he deepened the kiss, stifling her moans as he gripped her ass, pounding harder.
She slipped her hand between them and rubbed her clit, needing to hurry him along before someone opened the door.
The pressure increased, then she came and he erupted with her. Isandro kissed down her throat, his breath fanning across her skin. “Clean up. I’ll let them in.”
Arianna nodded, her legs shaking as he let her find her footing again. She slipped into the bathroom while he tucked himself back into his pants and went for the door.
She hurried and came back to the living room where Cherise, Bentley, and her mother were all standing with smiles and more food.
“Hey, sorry, we were finishing something up,” Arianna offered lamely, a blush on her face.
Cherise giggled. “Mmhmm. Where is everyone else?”
“They’ll be here soon,” Isandro stated. I should get the steaks on the grill. Any preference on how you want it cooked?”
No one said anything, so he took the trays of marinated meat to the deck.
“How are you doing since the incident?” Cherise asked.
“Getting better. Still having nightmares.”
Her mother shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize how far Derrick had fallen.”
Arianna shrugged. She wasn’t sure he’d fallen so much as slipped further and further into stupidity. Turned out he’d been stealing from his father’s company for years to cover his gambling debt. The further his debt went, the more he stole, and the sloppier the cover-ups were.
Arianna had given Derrick too many loans over the years that he was never going to pay back, but they were small enough she overlooked it. Now she wished she hadn’t.
“At least Derrick’s fuck up drove me into the perfect man’s arms.”
Her mother’s mouth tightened, but she didn’t say a word. Lucky, because she would have pushed her mother through the door.
Cherise nodded. “You two are good together.”
Her mother sighed. “He does have your best interests in mind.”
Arianna managed a smile. “Anyway, let’s go out back. It’s a nice day.”
She walked outside. Cherise placed her tray of food on the counter. Her mother put the wine in the ice buckets Arianna had set out earlier.
Outside, Marissa and the twins had already shown up. Arianna introduced everyone. Enrique immediately started to flirt with Diane, which put a smile on her face.
“See, everything will be fine,” Isandro murmured against her ear, his hand around her waist.
Arianna relaxed as their families melded.
Enrique and Estevan explained what they were doing in college.
Marissa brought up the annual police ball, and Diane offered to donate to the prizes. Arianna already had.
Cherise and Bentley talked about wedding plans.
Arianna’s mother mentioned Antoinette was going through a divorce, and that she had wanted to come, which was bullshit, but Arianna didn’t call her on it. Besides, she hadn’t been invited.
Isandro gushed about the cakes Arianna was experimenting with. That prompted Cherise and Bentley to beg Arianna to make their cake as well. Bentley was so sweet, urging her to agree, that Arianna said yes.
The night was a success, but she was happy once everyone left. Isandro pulled her back to their room, a smile on his face. “You were too quiet.”
She laughed softly. “Everyone was busy talking to everyone. Didn’t have to add anything. Besides, I was brainstorming a new idea.”
“Hmm, something more than cakes?”
She shrugged, a smirk on her lips. “Come in tomorrow and I’ll show you.”
“Don’t make yourself too busy, beautiful. I happen to like having more time with you.”
* * * *
Isandro strolled into Sweet Tooth the next day. He found Arianna behind the counter, chatting with Estevan. Arianna looked up. Her mouth pulled into a smile.
“Started to wonder when you’d be by. Come here, Isandro.”
He grinned, making his way to the counter. She bent down and pulled out a tray of truffles. Dark chocolate drizzled with caramel and dusted with salt. “The inside has a soft caramel and chocolate center. I named them the Hero’s Treat.”
“For me?”
She nodded. “Wasn’t sure bulldog would sell chocolate.”
Grinning, he took one and popped it into his mouth. Flavor burst across his tongue. “Mmm, this is good.”
“I thought so. Your favorite flavors.”
“Second,” he murmured, looking into her eyes. “You know what I love better.”
“Okay, I’ll go hide in the back if you’re going to go there,” Estevan offered.
Chapter 30
Three months later, Arianna stood in the back of the ballroom, setting up her sister’s wedding cake. Next month, she’d be doing the same for Ella. As long as both went well, she’d add specialty cakes to her shop.
“Stop worrying. The cake is amazing. The decoration beautiful. Relax,” Isandro murmured.
She nodded, carefully placing the flowers and the happy couple. “There, all done. I need to walk away before I do something stupid, like overthink.”
Isandro pulled her away from the cake.
Her mother walked over. “The cake is gorgeous.”
“Thanks to Isandro helping,” Arianna said.
Smiling, he shook his head. “I didn’t do much. My job was to help Arianna keep her sanity. She kept worrying she’d mess up.”
“She hasn’t,” Diane sai
d, smiling at Isandro. Her unease had melted away the more time passed. Apparently watching how happy Isandro made Arianna took away the fear that he would hurt her.
She’d even found some common ground with her mother. It was a relief, but she hadn’t let go of the years of hurt.
Isandro kept telling her if it was meant to be, it would happen. She wasn’t so sure because she kept her heart walled off. Too many years of being put down and she found it hard to trust now.
Diane smiled. “Cherise is asking for you. Think you can go put your dress on?”
“Sure. And I’ll do whatever Cherise needs while I’m up there.”
Isandro kissed Arianna’s temple to keep her lipstick intact. “I need to put on my suit. Can’t wait to see you again.”
She giggled and hurried up the stairs in the old manor they rented for the wedding. The grounds were beautiful. The altar was set up before the lake.
Arianna stepped into the room. Cherise grinned as she turned back. “Thank God you’re here. Can you help me into the dress? Antoinette is running late.”
Arianna moved to her and helped. The dress was beautiful, and it seemed to take forever to button the million and one pearl buttons down the back. She looked like a fairytale bride.
“Your dress is on the hook. I’ll zip you up,” Cherise offered.
Arianna smiled and pulled off the sundress she wore to set up the cake in. She felt beautiful in the floral print. Isandro agreed.
Cherise squealed. “Wow, who would’ve thought you could be so sexy in lingerie.”
Arianna rolled her eyes. She wore pale pink satin with a floral pattern. The strapless bra held her up. The panties were boy shorts and came with a matching garter belt. Ella saw the set and ordered it for her without a second thought.
“Isandro already knew that.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve had Mom’s ideals beat into my head.” Cherise sighed. “You really are beautiful, you know that.”
“I do, but thank you.”
“Hate me?”
“Nah. I get it. And you never say anything maliciously.”
“I do love you, Sis. I’m trying to be better about what I say.”
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