6. Izzy

Chapter 6

Izzy

“ B utterscotch!” I yelled out as I lowered the gun from the air, my chest heaving.

Nothing was going right, this day was in fact pulled directly from a fever dream.

“That’s enough.” I manifested my most inner bitch, pulling from years of Yara’s energy. I clenched my jaw, straightened my spine, and looked down my nose at the idiots.

“Isa, give me the gun back.” Emilio lifted a hand, staggering from the foray of violence.

The rest of the men all paused.

“No! You fucking psychotic lunatics! All of you!”

My heart was beating rapidly in my ears as I took in the scene before me. From my vantage point, I could see the bloodied noses, bruised faces, and busted knuckles.

I was exceptionally aware that these men were brawling in a church.

I pointed to two of Emilio’s men. “You two, go blow out all of these fucking candles before we go up in flames.”

They didn’t move until Emilio inclined his head just a bit. “You are to listen to her now, too.”

They didn’t hesitate a moment longer.

Is this what my life would be now ?

I knew back in high school that Emilio wasn’t a good man, that no typical teenager owned a gun, had a driver, and lived in a gated mansion.

After our time together, when I moved off to New York, I decided I wanted to know more about the man that had stolen my heart. It didn’t take long to find the articles on his family’s sordid past and their ties to the cartel.

“Ellie, who is this man?” Maddox’s soothing voice sent waves of calm along my skin even from across the room.

Flicking the safety on the gun, I set it down behind me. As I sidestepped Emilio, elbowing one of his men aside, I found my way into Maddox’s embrace. His familiar scent enveloped me.

Maddox was safety. Sanity. Rational .

His bulky arms extended out wrapping their way around me. He lifted me up, and I latched onto him. A needed life vest amidst a sea of chaos. My hands raised on their own, going to his face, holding him in place. Other than a split lip, there wasn’t much evidence of his previous altercations. Meeting his gaze, we communicated for a moment in silence. I narrowed my eyes, raising one eyebrow. In turn, he sheepishly lifted up his shoulders and quirked his lips.

I pressed my forehead to his.

“You’re sweaty,” I stated attempting to ignore the embarrassment and insecurity that were squirreling their way into this moment.

“Isobel.” Oliver’s tone was harsh, unyielding.

“Dad is mad,” I whispered to Maddox.

“Livid,” Oliver grunted out, but he didn’t move.

The only movement was of the men slowly blowing out the candles along the aisle. It was almost comical to watch. If it weren’t also a stark reminder of why they were there in the first place .

Was I aware that I was in Maddox’s arms in a church that I had just married another, admittedly dangerous, man in?

Yes.

Was I going to pretend like that wasn’t the case?

Also yes.

“I think it might be time for a healthy dose of communication before we all kill each other. Besides, isn’t that what is needed as the foundation of a healthy relationship?” I laughed the words out nervously.

“You’re right, Isa. After all, Oliver and I have quite a bit to catch up on,” Emilio responded before turning his attention to Oliver. “I can’t believe you didn’t recognize me, though I guess I was a lot smaller when we strung your dad up in this church.”

What does that even mean?

My head jerked from Maddox, finding Emilio.

The latter was staring up above at the rafters.

“Emilio?” In all my years alongside Oliver I had never heard the absolute terror that saturated his voice before. “You’re Emilio?”

Emilio didn’t answer for a few minutes, his eyes focused above.

I tried to find what he was looking at, but there wasn’t anything there.

Finally, he lowered his attention back into the here and now. “Oh, thought I saw a ghost,” he said. “Isa, guide us little girl. Take us where you want before I slice Maddox’s hands off for daring to touch what’s mine.”

Fuck .

What have I gotten myself into?