Reclaimed (20 page)

Get a hold of yourself, Sabrina
.

“I’ll miss you so much,” she vowed. She shrugged Isaac’s hand off her shoulder under the guise of pulling her sister into her arms for a tight hug.

“I’ll miss you, too, Bree,” Marie whispered, tears in her voice.

Sabrina turned to hurry away. She became forced to stop, however, when she realized Isaac didn’t follow her. A glance over her shoulder revealed he’d been held back by Marie’s hand on his arm.

“Go ahead, Sabrina. I just want to ask Isaac a quick question.”

She groaned, immediately on guard. What now? “Marie, you promised to behave.”

“I am. I want to ask him something. I’m being good, I swear.” Marie smiled at her and motioned for her to walk away. Sabrina stomped away and leaned on a nearby pillar. She glared at the pair and crossed her arms over her chest. Though she’d give them privacy, she’d be damned if she wouldn’t watch.

Isaac watched Sabrina retreat to glare off in the distance before turning to Marie. What happened now? Another interrogation?

He hoped not, because he didn’t bloody feel in the mood. She smiled at him, and he returned the gesture in an attempt to look relaxed. When he was anything
but
.

“Okay, what happened last night? You guys have a fight when you came over?” she inquired.

“I don’t understand what you mean.” Confusion made his voice sharp as he reminded her, “We didn’t fight at dinner.”

What the bloody hell is she talking about, anyway?

“Last night, Sabrina had a nightmare. She kept screaming in her sleep, yelling your name, and sometimes the name ‘Elijah.’ He’s a character in her novel she’s working on. When I finally woke her up, she was still crying her eyes out, and kept repeating ‘No.’”

“Hmm, sounds like a bad night. No wonder she looks so tired.” He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in an attempt to stay calm.

Fucking Elijah again. God, he hated him sometimes, brother or no. He forced himself to focus on Marie’s words and to push down the anger for later. Much, much later.

“Well, after she put me back to bed like a child, she ran outside. She doesn’t know I saw her, but she took off like a fire chased at her heels. I wanted to go after her, but I had no idea what direction she’d gone. So I sat in the kitchen and waited for her to return. I figured a pregnant woman wondering around in dark, unfamiliar woods isn’t the best idea.

“It must have been a while, because at some point I fell asleep leaning on the island. When I woke up, you were carrying her inside. I waved to you, but I figured you didn’t see me since you didn’t wave back. You took her to the couch and held her.”

His whole body clenched in fury, agony, betrayal. She’d spent the night with Elijah. After he’d been up all night stressing over his words, and his actions, she’d spent the night in his brother’s arms.

Doing what, exactly?

The thought proved too much to bear, and he bit back a curse. Marie stepped back as if she feared him. Well, hell, he probably looked pretty bloody scary to her. He felt manic. A loud bang of thunder shook the airport, and she ripped her eyes from his livid face to gape outside. It had been cloudy, but dry, earlier; now a storm gathered outside. Seeing Marie’s distress forced him to take a deep breath as he plastered the most sincere smile he could manage on his face.

He had a feeling he seemed less happy…and more maniacal.

Isaac held his pleasant expression for Marie’s sake, but not easily. His whole body ached to be released from this sham—to howl in his fury. Elijah had brought Sabrina into her home? Had held her? What, had he waited for him to leave before swooping in and bringing Sabrina inside? Had they kissed—or worse,
made love
?

He’d gone to sleep last night feeling ashamed, as if he had wronged Sabrina in his anger. But he hadn’t misunderstood the situation after all.

She’d chosen Elijah.

He ground his teeth behind his smile and tightened his fists into balls.

I’ll kill him
.

“Oh, no,” she groaned. “I hope they don’t delay my flight.”

Across the room, Sabrina’s eyes widened in horror as she hurried toward them, pushing her way through the crowd of worried travelers, eyeing the sudden change of weather. If she so much as
opened
her mouth, he’d snap. Time to end this conversation—now.

“Yeah, I left my windows open at home. Didn’t realize a storm would be coming,” he muttered. “Sabrina and I are fine. I feel bad I appeared in her nightmare. I’d hate to cause her to lose sleep.” He gestured outside using his hand. The rain had stopped. He glared at Sabrina over Marie’s head as she approached, and smiled when she faltered in step and paled.

Yeah, your secret is out, my love
.

“Wow, it’s calmed down already. Good!” Marie exclaimed.

“What’s going on over here?” Sabrina demanded as she took a furtive glance at his face. She paled even more as he glowered behind her sister’s head, only to smooth his face into a carefree expression when Marie turned back to look at him.

“Nothing. We’re done talking,” he responded. Smiling at Marie, he grasped Sabrina’s elbow. “Have a great flight. You better get going now. They’re starting to board.”

“Yeah, goodbye you guys.” After one last curiosity-ridden look at them, she left. Once Marie disappeared out of sight, Sabrina turned back to Isaac. He scowled at her curious expression.

“What now?” she probed.

He growled and dragged her behind him as he stalked out of the airport. She had no choice but to run to keep up to his brisk pace, so it came as no surprise when she stumbled over her feet. Isaac caught her before she hit the ground but put her away from his body as soon as she steadied herself. He did
not
want to feel her pressed up against him right now.

“Isaac, slow down. I can’t walk as fast as you!” she cried breathlessly from behind him. He didn’t release his iron grip upon her arm or acknowledge her plea, but he did slow his speed by a fraction. “Why don’t you just leave me the keys, and go away. I can drive myself. Or do you enjoy growling at me too much to leave me in peace?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it,” he snapped in response. She dug her feet into the floor and refused to move another inch. She yanked her arm hard, and he saw her clench her teeth against the stinging pain where his grip remained. Isaac steeled himself against her discomfort and growled. No way in hell would he release her.

Ever
.

She arched an ironic eyebrow at him at the noise, causing him to flush and growl once more before leaning close to her face, nose to nose, and snarling, “Unless you want to make a huge scene in the middle of the airport, one that’ll probably bring along a storm such as you’ve never seen, you’d better follow me. Now.”

As if on cue, a loud rumble of thunder boomed overhead. She followed him, no longer attempting to speak.

Thank God for small favors.

***

Sabrina glared out the window of her car. The scenery sped by way too fast, but the last thing she cared about right now was whether or not Isaac got a speeding ticket. As a matter of fact, she’d
love
to see it. Except she’d have to be near him longer. And she wanted to get away from him.

Now.

Really, his actions were ridiculous. If he wanted to be an asshole, why did she have to be forced to put up with it? Couldn’t he just sulk off to some corner and pout like men always did? Or go chase a mongrel or something? After a couple attempts at getting him to tell her why he’d gotten so angry, she crossed her arms and vowed not to speak to him ever again.

Always the drama queen, aren’t we?

But what had Marie told him to make him so angry? He hadn’t seemed mad when he’d first showed up at the house this morning. If anything, he’d looked worried about her. But she couldn’t mistake the fact that he remained pissed him off. When he shut off the ignition, she noted with surprise that they were already home. She glanced at him, only to see him glaring out his window.

She cleared her throat in an attempt to get him to look her way, but only the tensing of his shoulders told her he heard her. So, he wanted to play, did he? Well, fine. But she didn’t need to sit here and suffer in silence. She unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and slammed it behind her before leaning into the open window.

“I’m done playing these games. I’m not a child, and won’t be treated like one. Come talk to me when you grow up, okay? That is, if you ever
do
.”

She grabbed her keys out of his hand and stomped her way to the front door, not caring if she’d managed to piss him off even more. She went inside, locked the door, and gave it a kick for good measure. Her toe throbbed in protest, and she glowered at the offending door. For a brief moment, satisfaction at her fabulous exit made her smirk. Unfortunately, it didn’t make her anger and hurt go away.

Unable to contrive an easy way out of her predicament, she went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of wine and her second-favorite knife. Next time she talked to him, she’d demand her damn knife back, too. Damn it.

She stalked to the living room, placed both items on the table next to the couch, and sank into its soft cushions. She settled herself comfortably into its pillows, and began her wait.

But what she waited for, she had no idea.

***

Isaac watched her retreat, and gave a bemused shake of his head. He knew he acted like an ass, but he hadn’t wanted to have a discussion anywhere in public. Or while driving. And now that he’d gotten to her house, he had no bloody clue what to do.

Should he follow her inside and attempt to talk some sense into her, or would he be wasting his time? If she wanted Elijah so bad, what gave him the right to say no? They could run off into the moonlight together and live happily ever after in the land of the eternally damned, for all he cared. Until Enforcers hunted them down and killed them, anyway. His fist tightened involuntarily at the thought.

Hell no
.

He just needed to show her how unsuitable Elijah was for her, no matter how much she thought she loved him.

Isaac loved her, and she could grow to love him, too. She’d forget all about Elijah, given time. And if not, well, he loved her enough for the both of them. It would have to be enough.

It had to be, damn it.

He exited the car and made his way up the walkway to the front door. He took a steadying breath and reached for the doorknob, only to have it refuse to budge. She’d locked him out?

Son of a bitch
.

“Sabrina, let me in,” he growled.

A slight shuffling sound came through the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me. Open the door.”

“Who? I’m sorry, but I must make sure. You could be either Elijah, or Isaac. So, which is it?”

Which are you hoping for, my dear?

Teeth gritted, he snapped, “It’s Isaac. Let me in. Now.”

Dead silence met his ears, and he stared incredulously at the door as he wondered if she would actually refuse him entry. He measured the strength of the barrier, computing where it would be best to deliver the force of his impact to crash it open. Within seconds of breaking it down—he’d even backed up in preparation—she unlocked the door. As soon it swung open, he pushed his way inside. Not a chance in hell he would give her time to change her mind.

Sabrina studied Isaac’s angry face and promptly walked away from him. Judging by his scowl, he didn’t look any more agreeable than he had earlier. If he wanted to talk to her, he’d follow. She’d had enough of trying to explain what had happened last night. It was his turn.

He sat beside her. She turned to him and arched an eyebrow. She didn’t have to wait long.

“Were you planning on keeping me out? If so, I should warn you a simple door wouldn’t stop me if I didn’t want it to.” His chin jutted out in defiance, and his eyes glittered. “And the knife is useless, too.”

“Maybe so, but it would still be damn satisfying to make you bleed right now.” She toyed with it in her hands, spinning it in slow circles. Okay, maybe she didn’t want to actually
stab
him, did she? “I didn’t know you were going to be coming in, first of all. You haven’t been in a talkative mood today. Second of all, you once yelled at me for opening the door before I made sure it was you. So I was being careful. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? And last but not least, I want my damn knife back.”

He flushed and refused to meet her eyes.

Score one: Sabrina
.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. I seem to be capable of doing nothing but yelling at you today.” He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. “And the knife is at my place. I’ll get it to you as soon as possible.”

“Fine. Make it soon. And yelling seems to be something I bring out in people,” she drawled.

“I’m sorry, okay?” he snapped. “Is Elijah here, hiding?”

She stared at him in surprise, caught off guard by the change of subject. Not to mention the loud clash of thunder shaking her house. “Elijah? No, why would he be hiding here?”

“Seeing as you seem to have fallen in love with him, I figured he’d be here to gloat. Well, he can come out, and I’ll tell him right here and now I—”

“Stop it right there, buddy. First off, calm yourself down. Second, where did you possibly get the ridiculous notion I love Elijah? Did you think I’d somehow mistaken the two of you last night when I told you I loved you? When you
ran
away from me?

“Because, call me crazy, but a man who runs when a woman declares her love for him really has no right at all to even
attempt
to be angry over what he thinks is her love for another.” Her voice shook at the force of the emotions inside her, and by the time she finished her tirade, she’d poked him in the chest to emphasize her words.

Isaac stared at her in a mixture of admiration, anger, and shock.

“I don’t know. I’ll tell you what I do know, though. I know I found you kissing Elijah. I know we fought. I know he pushed you and took advantage of my distraction to knock me out. I know when I awoke, you were in his arms, again. I know after I left last night, he came
here
. That’s what I know.”