Page 71 of Fractured
At that, he turns, and walks out of the room.
Christopher starts to laugh. “Well, I guess that’s done.” He watches our father leave. Then slaps his hands on the table. “Anyone else up for a drink outside? The sun is shining, so let’s go sit by the pool and bullshit for a little bit. I know I don’t know about you guy’s, but I’m stressed the fuck out. Dad is intense, man.”
We all let out a tension-filled laugh and get up, taking our drinks with us as we make our way out through the back door. Christopher slams himself into a lounge chair; Sebastian sits at the end. I sit on one, while Carlos takes the other.
Sebastian is holding his drink, his brow furrowed in concern. Carlos is sitting back in his chair, cleaning his nails with his knife, and Christopher is lying back tanning.
Sebastian breaks the silence. “I don’t know about you guys, but I have a terrible feeling about this.”
Christopher slaps Sebastian on the back. “None of this is what we had expected, brother, so get used to it. Shit can turn south on a dime. Get ready, computer nerd. This is what it’s like when you’re under fire.”
Sebastian shakes off his hand with a roll of his shoulder and says, “Whatever G.I. Joe, I’m serious.”
“So am I.” Christopher leans back, lifting his face to the sun.
Carlos says nothing, but I look back over at him. He knows what I’m thinking. I don’t want Isabella to be involved in this. But the way my father spoke about her, it sounded like she might be deep into it, especially if he asked us to have Danny watch her. My chest hurts and I rub it.
My father wouldn’t let me marry her without good reason, but then he didn’t see Roberts’ betrayal. None of us did. So, who the fuck knows anymore?
Suddenly, Sebastian stands up, smiling and starts waving. Christopher tilts his head back, covering his eyes with his hand, blocking out the sun and soon waves as well. Carlos twists his head to look up.
My back is to the house, but I know who they’re waving at, Isabella’s windows face the pool. Standing up I face her window, putting my hands in my pockets as I peer up at her. Isabella was smiling and waving back at Sebastian and Christopher. But the smile and joy fades from her face as soon as she sees me stand and face her. She slowly steps away from the window, the sheer curtain hiding her from view, but I keep looking at her, knowing she is still standing behind the veil.
I mumble to Carlos. “I thought Anna was with her today?”
Carlos pipes back. “She was, but Danny took her home after the meeting.”
I turn back, take my seat while grabbing my drink, and take a sip. Sebastian looks at me, confusion on his face.
“Why doesn’t she want to come join us?”
I hunch my shoulders and take another sip. Christopher leans over to me and looks me in the eye.
“What the fuck did you do to her, man? She won’t even come and have a drink with us. Is she not allowed out of her room or what?”
I lift my glass to my lips, looking at the bottom. My voice echoes back at me.
“Father said she’s to be watched and I’m watching her.” I hunch one shoulder and swallow.
Christopher jabs at my shoulder.
“Yeah, from your creepy cameras behind a locked bedroom door.”
Sebastian doesn’t add anything to the jibe my brother gave me; he just sits there drinking his water.
I hold my glass in my hands and say coolly.
“She’s allowed out of her room; she just prefers not to.”
Christopher stands up and stretches.
“Yeah, well, as much as I would like to stick around here and talk about your wife, I’ve got a man to call and one I got to watch. I’ll catch you guys later. I’m going to head down to the club and make sure Marcus has the backup that he needs.”
I nod my head in approval.
“Sounds great, brother. If you need anything from me, let me know. I’m going to head back to my office and start investigating that bank, then book us a couple of flights. I want this shit show to be over with sooner rather than later.”
Christopher gives us the peace sign with his fingers, “Later Brothers.”
