Page 66 of Scarred Ruin

Her defensiveness was on a par with what I’d discovered about her past. No wonder she’d quickly grown close to Mina.

“She did have a great time tonight.” Isabel pulled off her seatbelt. “I did too.”

We remained where we were and she watched as my soldiers pulled in behind. While they kept their distance, their appearance and constant surveillance was obviously something that bothered her.

“They keep us safe, Isabel. You as well.”

“From what exactly, Maxsim? Boogeymen? Men with guns? Invisible monsters?”

I chuckled more from being uncertain how to respond. “Yes.”

“How can you live this way? How? Mina might not notice or care, but I don’t need two big thugs following me everywhere. Are you going to install cameras in my home?”

“If necessary.”

She snapped her head in my direction. “That’s crazy.”

“But reality.”

“I’m not in any danger.”

“You might be.”

“Because I’ve been seen with you?”

I unfastened my seatbelt and stared out the windshield. “Yes, and because whoever did this knows you were able to thwart their previous plans.”

“I don’t want to live like this. Don’t tell me karma has other thoughts in mind.” She kept her voice low, but her words were full of aggravation.

“Evidently karma wasn’t interested in what you had to say.”

“Very funny. I don’t want your bodyguards.”

“You have no choice.”

She laughed and opened the door. “Yes, I do. I don’t belong to you, Maxsim. No matter what you choose to believe. I’ll help you get Mina and the little fluffball to bed. You should give him a bath in the morning and don’t have one of your staff do it.”

Her directness could be considered the most irritating aspect about her had I not become so extremely aroused.

Apparently, she wasn’t finishing with belittling me. “Another thing. If you’re so concerned about school, once she’s bonded with Shadow and has learned how to control him on a leash, you could consider having him attend school with her.”

“Exactly how would that work?”

She laughed. “You’d need to have him listed as an emotional support animal. But given all your… power, I’m certain that’s something you can make happen.” With the light on in the cab, when she turned her head, I could clearly see a strangely attractive combination of chastisement and thorough amusement.

With that, she hopped out.

While I gathered my daughter and a few of the bags, she managed a dog bed and the sleeping pup. We made it up the stairs together and into Mina’s princess room.

Once the puppy was on his bed, Mina automatically reached for Isabel. If it was anyone else I’d be furious. But the special bond meant something to me.

Perhaps more than it should.

Isabel carefully placed my sweet girl into bed, asking in a whisper if I had pajamas for her.

After that, I was given the pleasure of watching the two interact. My sleepy daughter yawning while Isabel carefully replaced her clothes with the PJs. Whatever Isabel was whispering, I wasn’t privy to, but I didn’t feel left out, merely a father fearful for every aspect of his daughter’s life.

As soon as Mina was settled, Isabel pressed a kiss against her forehead and instantly, Shadow jumped onto the bed. Before I had a chance to shoo him off, once again Isabel shook her head.