11. ISABELLA

Chapter 11

ISABELLA

Present Day - Moretti Mansion - Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay

All I want to do is stand and stare at my birthday present from Andrey. I'm blown away that he actually took the time to find out what I wanted. I know I should get back to the guests, but I've already had two hours of torture. Being alone with my thoughts is a relief.

There's only so long I can keep a smile plastered on my face before my jaw starts to ache and I get a tension headache. I look toward our driveway and wonder where Stacy is. She was at the Belov's house for the wedding, but she was absent from my house. I asked her parents where she was, and as usual, they were surprised to find their daughter wasn't there.

Fuck, do they even care where Stacy is? When we were younger, I used to think how lucky Stacy was that her parents never seemed to care where she was. But now I think it's pretty fucked up. I'd rather have had an overprotective parent that worried about me than one that didn't.

"Bella-Bop?" Davey's voice startles me, and I turn to see him smile.

"Hi, Davey," I greet him, returning his smile. "Enjoying the party?"

"It's kinda hard to do that when the guest of honor isn't," Davey says with a shrug. "Not that it isn't a good party. Your father always throws a great spread."

"Yup." I nod.

"Nice wheels." Davey steps up beside me.

"Thanks," I say and sigh. "Pity I'm not going to drive it again."

Davey's eyebrow raises. "About that…" He inclines his head, wanting me to follow him. "As soon as the main festivities begin, I'll swap the plates with your getaway one and swap the cars."

"What are you talking about?" I frown.

"We got the exact same car as the one Andrey bought you. That one is your real birthday present from us." Stacy's voice comes from behind me, and I spin toward her. "Davey will have the other one with the fake plates here waiting for you. That way, when they try to locate your GPS they'll end up in the garage of Moretti House."

"Stace!" I wrap my arms around her. "Thank God. I thought you weren't coming."

"I had a few things to sort out before we get you the fuck out of Dodge," Stacy says, her words making my eyebrows rise in disbelief.

"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"We're coming with you," Davey tells me. "And don't worry, this time we're taking Zeus and Hera too."

My eyes widen even more. "I can't ask either of you to do that. I have to disappear completely."

"I'm an orphan that Genevra took in. She's the only one, and she…" Davey splutters when Stacy elbows him in the ribs.

"I don't have anyone here that I want to be here for," Stacy tells me, and I can't blame her. Her parents and brother have never been kind to her. "Everyone I care about is hitting the road out of here."

"I don't have passports or go bags for either of you," I tell them.

"Are you kidding?" Davey snorts. "I've already got all that ready for myself and Stacy."

"How long have the two of you been planning this?" I ask suspiciously.

"Since you came to me when you were seventeen and asked me to be your fixer," Davey admits.

"And, of course, I tortured the information from Davey and then got him to fix me up as well," Stacy tells me with her customary cheeky grin. "You need us. You have your chemist, engineer slash whizz kid, and you're our brains and finance guru."

"We can start again," Davey says. "We're not taking no for an answer."

"Besides, you can't leave us here where we'll be the first ones that suspicion will fall on when you go missing," Stacy points out. "I'm the one that told Andrey to buy you that exact model of Porsche, so Davey and I could get a decoy one. And you don't want us to be tortured by the Bratva, do you?"

"Fine!" I pretend to be upset when, in truth, I could kiss them. I look around for my Cane Corso, who I haven't seen since Andrey and I arrived at my house two hours ago. "Where are Zeus and Hera?"

"They're locked up," Davey tells me. "I think your new husband is scared of them."

"I would be too if I were him," Stacy snorts. "Dogs always know an evil bastard when they smell one."

"They do!" Davey agrees.

"Should we be standing here in the view of a security camera?" I ask.

"Oh, don't worry, it's in a loop," Davey assures me.

"Of course it is." I laugh. "I take it you've filled Stacy in on the plan?" I look at Davey.

"Yes, sorry, I did," Davey admits. "And one more person knows, but trust me, we couldn't pull off what we're about to without them."

"If you say James, Davey, I swear I'll kill you," I warn him.

"Davey means me," I freeze when I hear the voice behind me.

Fucking hell no! My eyes widen, and I glare at Davey and Stacy. "Fuck no!"

Stacy's brow furrows. "There's a lot you don't know, Bella."

"I've looked out for you since the day you were born, child,"

I turn and glare at the newcomer. "We may as well just give up now as Genevra's my father's spy."

"I have never been your father's spy, sweet child." Genevra's eyes flash. "I made a promise to your mother, my dear Karina. I was assigned to look after your mother when I was twelve, and she was ten. We became best friends." Her eyes flash with disgust, hate, and anger as she makes a spitting action. "Your father isn't who you think he is, Isabella. While I've pretended to do everything he asked it was only so I could watch over you. I was so devastated at her loss that I nearly left, but even if I hadn't made promises to do it, I would've."

"But I thought you hated me!" I gape at the woman who has been my nanny and housekeeper since the day I was born. "You were always so strict, enforcing my father's rules."

"Did I?" Genevra raises her eyebrows. "Who do you think hid all your contraband that went against your father's rules? Or helped distract him when you and Stacy would sneak out?"

"Oh!" My eyebrows raise as I realize what she's saying does make sense. I'd always just thought I was good at hiding things. It did seem a bit easy, though. "What about you reporting my private things to him, like the time of the month and my gynecologist check-ups?"

"I had to or he'd just go above my head anyway," Genevera assures me, then changes the subject before I can press her. "We don't have much time before we're missed. Stacy and Davey will explain everything when you're on your way." She pulls her tea towel off her shoulder. "Now come. There is still a lot to do, and everything has to go smoothly this time."

"This time?" I splutter and look at Stacy, who shrugs.

"You didn't think I ate your sleeping pill-laced food, did you?" Genevra laughs at my look of shock. "But I made sure James did, and I fixed your dosage as the amount you gave…" She shakes her head. "It would've just made him drowsy."

"Genevra, I…" I don't know what to say. I've always been such a bitch to the woman, thinking she hated me.

"You had to be you, and I had to be me," Genevra points out. "Or your father would've been suspicious. Now, come before we are missed. There are more than one pair of eyes on you today, sweet child." She shakes her head, and I hear her mutter.

Genevra shuffles off, Stacy loops her arm into mine, and Davey does that vanishing trick he does that makes me wonder if he's real sometimes.

"All will be explained later," Stacy's voice is low. "Now smile, drink only what me, Davey, or Genevra give you."

"Got it." I stop her before we go further. "I'm glad you're coming with me. You deserve so much better out of life than your crazy fucked up family."

"I know. So do you." Stacy hugs me, whispering in my ear. "Remember not to drink or eat anything that's not given to you by us." I nod. "And Bella, I'm sorry."

"Stacy, you have…" My words are cut off when Stacy straightens, and I hear footsteps behind us. I don't have to turn to know who they are.

"There you are," Andrey says, stepping beside me and dropping his arm around my shoulders. "I've been looking for you. I was just about to send out a search party."

"Andrey!" Stacy says cooly.

"Stacy," Andrey greets her back. "Where have you been?"

Stacy's eyes widen. "Oh, I'm sorry, who died and made you my keeper?"

"I don't mean to pry," Andrey tells her but I can see he's trying hard to control his contempt for Stacy. "I know that Isabella's been quite upset that you missed all the toasts."

"Bella understands that I can't toast to this wedding trap, so it's best that I missed that," Stacy tells him sweetly. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm going to speak to a man I see that I do like speaking to."

"Bella, come have a drink with me when you can." Stacy gives me another hug, whispering, "Later, babe."

I hug her back, breathing through the twinge of excitement spurting through my belly. Holy fuck balls, we're really doing this. I'm also still a little shocked about what I've just learned about Genevra.

Stacy walks off, and I have to stop the urge to reach out and beg her not to leave me alone with Andrey. I'm fine when he's not near me, and I don't get caught in his magnetic pull that I feel powerless to resist.

"Just as well you'll be leaving her behind," Andrey says, and instantly my shoulders stiffen.

"Excuse me?" I turn and stare at him in disbelief. "I will not end my friendship with Stacy because of you."

"We'll see," Andrey tells me, his eyes hardening once again.

"No!" I say, shaking my head. "Absofuckinglutley not!" Anger starts to spurt inside me. I know I shouldn't be getting angry. I'm not even going to be here anyway but really, what the fuck! "You can't choose my friends and disrupt my life. What about my studies?"

"You'll have a lot more to learn now that you're my wife," Andrey says rather coldly. "And you can make new friends—more suitable ones." He starts steering me toward the house. "Oh! And I don't like dogs." He shrugs. "Especially those hellhounds you call dogs. They'll have to stay here with your father and James. But you may resume your studies. I've made arrangements for you to finish them online."

My mouth drops open as I stare at him. Is he fucking serious? Jesus. To think I was having doubts about my plans to leave after the Porsche because Andrey has his moments. Then there's the sinfully delicious sex. As soon as I think about the sex and what he does to my body, my pussy starts to get wet, and my clit gives a little pulse.

But then he opens his mouth and shows me who he really is. A fucktard that, as far as he's concerned, my life now completely belongs to him. I'm no longer my own person; I'm a part of him, and he controls everything in my life.

I stop the urge to fly at him and scratch his beautiful face with my perfectly groomed fingernails. I take a few breaths to still the anger rising inside me. It's nearly over. I won't let my emotions cloud my judgment this time and ruin my plans again.

"Isabella?" Andrey's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know, Andrey." I look at him, my mask slipping back into place. "You tell me. I'm your puppet. You're the one pulling all the strings, so you tell me if I'm supposed to be okay or not."

"Let's not do this now, Isabella." Andrey's eyes fill with warning. "I've left you alone for two days. I let you have your peace."

"Then, as soon as the I do's were said, you were back on exerting your dominance and showing me how weak my flesh is," I tell him. "Congratulations, it seems I haven't gotten over the Andrey allergy yet."

I feel him stiffen and suck in a breath. Before he can say anything, I see Genevra walking towards us with a tray. It only has one glass on it, and she smiles. I take it off the tray. She nods and carries on walking. I take a big swallow of the apple juice that looks just like the champagne being served.

Andrey grabs my wrist painfully. "How many of those have you had?"

I shrug. "Fucked if I know." I look at the glass and down it. Before he can do anything, I see Davey by the champagne tower. His finger taps a glass. I pull my wrist from Andrey. "Let me go. This is my birthday. The last day I have to be me, so back off."

Andrey lets go of my wrist. I walk to where Davey is pouring the champagne. I put the empty glass down and take the one he pointed to. This is real champagne. I take a sip just in case my brute of a husband kisses me.

"No more champagne for my wife," Andrey barks at Davey, who nods.

"Yes, sir," Davey says, picking up the empty glasses, including my apple juice one, and disappearing.

"Fuck you," I sneer, and I'm about to walk off, but Andrey grabs my arm and drags me inside.

"Your bedroom?" He looks up the sweeping staircase. "Which one is it?"

"Is everything alright, Mr. Belov?" Genevra steps out of the front living room.

"I'd like some alone time with my wife," Andrey snarls at her.

"I believe Mr. Moretti was asking for you, Mr. Belov," Genevra tells him. "He'd like to give Isabella her birthday present with you there." Her expression changes, and her eyes bore into Andrey's. "Mr. Moretti doesn't like to be kept waiting or disrespected in his own home."

"Very well," Andrey says and glares at me. "But after that, you and I need to talk about your irresponsible drinking." His eyes travel pointedly to my belly. "I believe it's very likely that you could be carrying our child."

I hear Genevra suck in her breath. I look at her, and something flashes in her eyes, but it's gone before anyone can decipher what it is. Genevra nods and looks at Isabella. "While you're getting it ready, I'll take Isabella to help her change."

Andrey's eyes search Genevra's before looking at me. "No more alcohol, Isabella," he commands before pulling me to him and kissing me. "You have fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir!" I salute him, and his eyes narrow for a few seconds before he walks off.

"Come, child," Genevra turns back into someone I don't recognize, and it's confusing. "We don't have much time."

"We still have a couple of hours before the guests start to leave," I tell her.

"We've had to move things up a bit," Genevra tells me. "Your father wasn't supposed to give you your present until everyone had gone."

"Genevra, we can't… you know, to all the guests." My eyes widen with concern. "Seriously. I can't have this plan ruined."

"I promise you, sweet girl, this time it won't fail," Genevra assures me. "We have help."

"What?" I look at her, confused. "What help?"

"Don't worry about it," Genevra pulls me into my room. "I've put those cotton pants you like, your blue silk shirt, and wedge sandals out for you."

"Not very…" I eye the items and can't suppress a giggle as I say. "Honeymooney."

"You're not going on honeymoon," Genevra whispers. "Now change."

Genevra helps me get out of the wedding dress. She doesn't comment when she notices my panties are missing.

"I'm going to take a shower," I tell her. "Please let my father know I'll be down in about forty-five minutes.

Genevra looks at me with a smile and nods. "Try hurry, sweet girl, so that we can get you out of here."

I climb into the shower and pick up my soft sponge, spreading my body wash onto it. If I'm going to have a clean break, not even the smell of Andrey is coming with me. A smile spreads over my lips, thinking about how annoyed my father and Andrey are going to be that I didn't jump at their command.

With my back to my bathroom door, I tip my head and let the drops of water pelt down on my body. I have it on a power spray, and it stings as it hits my nipples, making them harden and bringing flashes of Andrey nipping on them, making my pussy instantly respond to the memory.

I start to rub the slightly rough sponge over my neck. Closing my eyes, I can picture Andrey kissing it with his naked body poised over mine and his cock pressing into me. I bite my bottom lip, getting lost in my sexual memory.

I use the sponge to trace the path of Andrey's lips around each tit and down my stomach. Before my hand can push the sponge to my clit, throbbing with need, a hand grips my wrist. I'm about to scream with fright, but another covers my mouth.

I feel a naked body behind me and a hard cock pushing against my butt crack. I recognize his scent instantly.

"Princess, are you having fun without me?" Andrey's deep voice tickles my ear and that dark desire he brings out starts to coil in my belly.