Defiance (New Adult Romance) (Isaac & Maya) (39 page)

“What will I see on the news?”

“Your troubles will be over soon enough,” she replies cryptically.

“Glory, did you…”

“Isaac, it was going to happen anyway, I just helped it along.”

“Holy shit, are you serious?” Isaac gasps.

“What did you think would happen to him? Those people that your father is bringing down with him weren’t just going to let him live. Why do you think they waited so long to publicize it?”

“I… I don’t know. Why did they?”

“So they would have a few days before those cartels, crime rings, hell, even the politicians started trying to kill him. They weren’t supposed to know where he was for a while.”

“Did you tell someone where they’re holding him?”

“I certainly couldn’t take any chances. Just keep watching the news. Give it some time.” They stare at each other silently for a while before she grins at him.

“I’m never going to see you again, am I?” Isaac whispers.

“That’s probably for the best anyway, don’t you think?” she laughs, her eyes flicking toward me for a moment.

“Is Roger going with you?”

“I hope so, eventually. I’m not sure.”

“Do you want me to give some of that family jewelry to your nieces in a few years when this all calms down?”

“Yes,” she croaks. “That would be wonderful. You always think of such nice things to do for other people. Why don’t I ever do that?”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Mom. You have your moments.”

Glory’s crying echoes through our home as she finally strides over to him and throws her arms around his shoulders. Isaac hugs her back while she sobs into his neck, but it doesn’t make me jealous because it’s so sad. “I am so, so sorry,” she wails. “For everything. I’m so sorry.”

“I know. I forgive you, it’s alright.”

“I love you so much, Isaac.”

“I love you too, Mom,” he breathes. “Take care of yourself.” He tears up a little when they break apart, smiling as she runs her fingers across his cheek.

“Well, I better get out of here while I can,” she says, giving his hand a squeeze before she lets it go for the last time. Her attention turns to me. “I’m… glad you won, I suppose,” she chuckles. “You deserve him more. Congratulations.”

“Gloria…” I murmur. She flinches as if I’m about to lash out. “Thanks.”

Nodding, she smiles at me briefly before locking eyes with Isaac. “Bye,” they whisper in unison.

The door closes with a loud click and Isaac lets out a ragged breath, but it sounds more relieved than mournful. I approach him slowly in case he needs some space, but he closes the distance between us and pulls me into his chest.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he exhales. “So… should we wait a few days before we take off, just in case she was telling the truth? I mean, I don’t even think he really suspects anything yet, this is all a precaution.”

“It couldn’t hurt to give it a few days, right? Where should we go?”

“I’m not sure. I guess we can ask Jace.”

We end up at a hotel suite Jace’s friend Oliver got for us. It’s stressful, but at least we’re together. Three nail biting days later, we’re watching TV when a breaking news story interrupts the show. Baron’s face appears in the corner of some footage of a body bag being wheeled into the morgue. They aren’t sure how, but somehow another inmate got to him even though he was in maximum security in a private cell.

Isaac starts laughing, then sobbing, then laughing again until it all bleeds together and I’m not sure if he need
s comfort or he wants to celebrate. The confusing outburst doesn’t last long before he pulls me into his lap, kissing me everywhere and telling me that it’s really over. A strange grief finally overtakes him a few hours later. I try to wrap my arm around his shoulders, but he wants to be alone for a little while. It’s hard to give him the space that he needs because he seems so ashamed and he shouldn’t be.

This has to be so difficult. Isaac told me when we first met that people aren’t all bad or all good. That you can love someone and hate them at the same time, that’s why it’s so hard to walk away. He was talking about his father, he had to be. Losing such a person forever is even more complicated than living with them. I despised Luke with every fiber of my being when he finally disappeared. I haven’t shed a single tear, I wish I could have watched. But that’s not Isaac’s story. His father was actually trying to show that he cared, in his uniquely twisted, awful way.

The bewilderment only lasts a single evening. Isaac falls asleep in my arms and rests so peacefully for the first time without extra medication or being exhausted from sex. I’m pleasantly surprised when he wakes up with a triumphant grin and wants to go home.

Being in the bubble is a lot more fun when you aren’t worried if someone is trying to kill you. He’s anxious to take me to a restaurant because we can finally be out in public now, but there are too many reporters everywhere. Eventually we go out and get fast food within the city limits at midnight, just because we can. The totally relaxed, carefree Isaac that I’ve only got a few precious glimpses of is around all the time now. He’s really cute. Sexy. Funny. Excellent in bed. I could get used to this. 

50

Maya

“Maya Elizabeth Sheffield,” the announcer calls out as I walk across the stage.

I’m sure Isaac and Garrett are doing a decent job as my personal two-man cheering section, but I can’t hear them from wherever they are in the sea of thousands upon thousands of people that are staring at me right now. Piper didn’t want to come and I don’t blame her. She isn’t even going to her own graduation ceremony.

My hands are shaking as I reach out to get my diploma. I can’t believe I’m on a Jumbotron right now, I hope my smile looks authentic. Then I remember how happy I am that my boyfriend actually got to come see me and I can feel my eyes crinkle as I turn and scan the crowd. Questioning the wisdom of wearing such high heels to this event, I slowly walk toward my chair and take my seat next to my classmates.

More speeches! Ugh. If I ever become a professor, I’ll have to wear these bizarre colorful hats and gowns too. They look like something you’d see at Hogwarts or the Vatican. I never liked attending thes
e types of ceremonies, let alone participating in them, but it is a once in a lifetime event commemorating a huge achievement that I worked very hard for, or so Isaac tells me. He’s the real reason I’m going through all this and he’s totally worth it.

I’m glad he was so insistent that I participate. A strange gratitude washes over me as I toss my cap into the air, and not just because my head is hot and I want to show off my hair. I am
so
lucky to be here.

I find my brother standing alone at our designated meeting place. Isaac is already in line with the other tiger mothers because we
are
taking a family picture by the stage in front of the seal. This is our first official milestone photograph as a couple. God, he is frigging cute, and he is distracting quite a few blushing grandmothers. I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to stand in the picture taking line without your graduate present, but people that good looking just play by a different set of rules.

“Plan B was proposing to you in front of all your classmates at this reception, just so you know,” Isaac mentions casually as we walk toward the tent.

“Are you serious?” I gasp. I won’t ask about Plan A, I know it was the day Luke grabbed me.

“Yep. I already asked your brother’s blessing and everything.”

“He isn’t old enough to bless anything!”

“That’s what I said,” Garrett laughs.

“Don’t worry. Plan B hardly ever works out,” Isaac says. “Plus I’m not ready to have hundreds of people staring at me and clapping.”

“Yeah, I’ve had enough of that today,” I grumble.

“And…” Isaac whirls me around and dips me down dramatically for a kiss, conveniently once we’re close enough to a certain former fuck buddy of mine. “Today is all about you and how awesome you are, Maya.” He covers my face with a thousand kisses, tickling me until I squeal.

“You guys!” Garrett chides us. “Seriously!”

I can tell that Isaac wanted me to be wearing a symbol on my finger, but it’s better this way because he’s extra chest-puffy and cocky as he meets the male students. I can’t wait to get bent over and ravaged tonight. It’s probably wrong to objectify him, but prancing around with my smoking hot, ridiculously sweet boyfriend is nearly as satisfying as being smarter than most of my classmates. We’ve been through hell, we deserve to show off a little bit.

Garrett goes home a few days later and we officially enter Isaac-could-pop-the-question-any-minute territory. I was worried that I’d be able to tell and ruin the surprise, but now that we can go out in public together, every single dinner is at a fancy restaurant by candlelight. So much for staying in the house all the time. Isaac is finally reaping the rewards of being the black sheep of the family, nobody recognizes him.

Movies. Daytime walks in public parks. Bookstores. Museums. Lunches at outside cafés. All the normal, urban couple stuff we’ve been denied. The best part about it is watching Isaac. He’s having so much fun. He’s finally free.

********

“Can I fuck you in the middle of this field?” Isaac rasps into my ear.

“Is that why you wanted to drive all the way out here?” I giggle, holding onto him as he carries me down the path.

“No, that’s why I insisted that you wear a skirt. We can keep our clothes on. It’ll just look like you’re sitting on my lap.”

“Isaac…”

“You saw how empty the parking lot was,” he teases me. “There’s nobody here, I promise.”

I want to remind him that it’s almost sunset and therefore almost closed, but if he keeps kissing my neck like this, I’ll let him do whatever he wants. “Nobody here, huh?” I laugh. “So what’s that picnic over there?”

“The idyllic one on the red and white checked blanket with the champagne in a bucket of ice next to a giant basket of bite sized desserts surrounded by candles ready to be lit?” Isaac replies, flashing me that trademark tilted grin. “That’s waiting for us.”

I can feel my eyes getting bigger and my toes start to wiggle. “Did you reserve this whole park so no one would be here?”

“Of course I did.”

Isaac’s beautiful eyes lock with mine as he carries me over to the perfect setting. He kisses me, slowly at first, but I’m just too excited and slip my tongue into his mouth. I’m breathless and panting by the time my bare feet land on the soft gingham blanket. I can’t believe this is actually happening. Isaac’s smile isn’t so cocky anymore as he draws in a hitched breath.

“Don’t be nervous,” I whisper.

“I can’t help it,” he laughs, kissing the tip of my nose before he drops to one knee and reaches into his pocket. I let out a squeak and start nodding right away, biting my tongue so he at least gets to ask me first before I scream out yes. “I’d tell you to stop being so adorable, but I can’t get enough of those little noises,” Isaac tells me. “I can’t get enough of
you
. I need you so much. I am so lucky to love you that I can’t believe it sometimes, you’re just too good to be true. I want to spend every single moment of every single day by your side.” He opens the box and my jaw drops open. I should have known he’d go overboard with the ring, it feels so heavy as he slips it on my finger. “Maya, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I squeal, dropping down to the ground because I just can’t wait
any longer to kiss him. “I love you so, so much,” I say, my lips dancing all over his face as he laughs.

After a celebratory mini make out session, I pull back to examine the incredible diamond decorating my finger. It is the most beautiful sparkling ring that I’ve ever seen. “Isaac…” I gasp.

“I couldn’t stop myself. You deserve it. And I knew it would put this look on your face.”

“I don’t even want to know how much this cost.”

“You
really
don’t,” he chuckles, popping the bottle of champagne and pouring two glasses.

“So… did you have a date in mind?” I ask, clinking my glass against his.

“No. I just wanted to survive the proposal.”

“
Survive
,” I laugh. “What, did you think I’d actually say no?”

“The thought crossed my mind once or twice…” he murmurs. “But really, I just wanted it to be at least a little bit of a surprise, which is actually rather difficult when you’re in love with someone that can practically read you
r mind.”

“I actually was surprised.”

“Because I distracted you when I told you that I wanted to fuck you in the middle of this field, right?” he teases me.

“Yep. That was sneaky. And pretty clever.”

Isaac pops a chocolate covered strawberry in my mouth. “Did
you
have a date in mind?” he asks.

“I want to elope,” I confess. “Like, as soon as possible.”

“Really?” Judging by the giant smile on his face, he’s pleasantly surprised. “I thought you’d want something more traditional.”

“Eloping is pretty traditional for two people who don’t have much family. Piper certainly isn’t in the mood to celebrate. I don’t want my mother there, or my sister, obviously. Garrett is sixteen and rolls his eyes every time we kiss, he won’t care.”

“Yeah my brothers won’t care either, unfortunately.”

“See,” I blurt out, leaning forward to kiss him before I sneak another brownie bite into his mouth. “You looked a little sad at
a happy moment. That is exactly what would happen if we had a real wedding, everything is just too crazy.”

“You won’t regret it?”

“You know me, all I care about is the gown,” I laugh. “Which I have already gone shopping for three times.”

“Maya… are you serious?”

“Yep. I dragged Piper along, too, so I’ve already had the giggly best friend wedding dress shopping trip experience. Do you want to see pictures of my top three choices? Okay, technically there are four, because third place changes daily.” I pull out my phone and start flipping through pictures.

“You…” Isaac is flabbergasted, it’s so adorable. “Somebody was pretty sure their boyfriend was going to pop the question soon.”

“You love me,” I coo, blowing him a kiss.

“You’re wearing white, aren’t you?”

“Of course! That tradition is such BS! I don’t care how much kinky sex I’ve had, it’s going to be white and puffy and sparkly. Not 1980’s puffy and sparkly, though, that’s not what I mean. Here.” I show him the pics of me wearing my current favorite. I guess I have stop changing my mind every week about which one I like the best.

“You are seriously turning me on right now,” he breathes.

“Just wait until you scroll down and see the price tag.”

Isaac’s eyes bug out. “Okay, I’m starting to think I wasn’t kidding when I told you that I needed to fuck you in the meadow.”

“Yes, you were,” I laugh. It’s always better when I hold out on him and he knows I don’t like sex in public. “Besides, I still didn’t show you the pictures of my shoe choices.”

“You do realize that I’m more interested
in your enthusiasm than actually shopping, right?” He flicks his tongue against that spot below my ear and pulls me closer to him by my waist.

“It’s all the same to me.” I say curtly, kissing his cheek.

“Maya, if you keep being such a brat…”

“What? I’m really in for it?” I laugh, batting my eyelashes and licking my lips at him while he squirms. “That’s the idea.”

He growls and tackles me to the ground, showing me that he’s just as good as I am at teasing. The neck kissing gets me every time, I’m totally helpless by the time Isaac pushes my knees apart. It’s not like we’re really in public anyway and he did reserve the whole park…

********

We run off to Las Vegas a week later because that’s traditionally where two crazy kids like us go to elope. I insist on getting married in the morning so I can spend the whole day running around in my dress, tempting him. Though, if I had remembered just how fantastic Isaac looks in a perfectly tailored tux, I would have known that I’d be tempting myself just as much.

It’s a simple, classic ceremony in a gorgeous chapel, not tacky or cheesy at all. We both find ourselves tearing up as we exchange our vows, formally confirming what we’ve known to be true from the first time we met. We were meant to be together. We came into the world on the same day, an ocean apart, searching for each other. And I know that we’ll leave it on the same day too, because neither one of us will make it more than
a few hours before we have to find each other again.

But there will be an entire lifetime of happiness until then. Isaac hires a professional photographer to follow us around since I insist on staying dressed up the whole day. Neither of us thought we liked gambling very much when we came here, but it turns out we
really do. We fit in a lot of other touristy stuff too, because we’ll only be here for the day before flying out for a very traditional tropical honeymoon. Isaac is getting his normal fix and I love it.

There’s another fix he needs too. I make an offhand comment that I’m not wearing panties under my gown while we’re riding in the limo from one casino to another and that instantly sends him over the edge, telling the driver to keep driving until he says otherwise. I pretend to protest when he disappears under my dress and his tongue latches onto my clit. Our first screw as a married couple is scorching hot, mostly clothed, and in the back of a moving vehicle, but who needs traditional sex in a bed? Certainly not us. I guess I can be an exhibitionist for a day, it
is
Vegas after all and the windows are darkly tinted.

We spend the day hoping into the limo for quickies and hoping out for drinking and gambling and sightseeing. It’s so much fun, almost too much, and by the time we agree to go back to the hotel I’m wondering if I’ll have enough energy to keep up with him.

“I can’t wait to get up to our room,” I coo, leaning on his shoulder in the elevator.

“Me too. I am so fucking horny and ready to see you naked.”

“Me too.” We giggle hand in hand as we run down the hallway.