Independence & Consequences, M J Marlow [read out loud books .txt] 📗

kissed it. “You have made a very wise choice, my dear.” He turned to David, and the cold, hard look melted from his face. “Are you ready for your part now, my friend?” He looked at his man. “Go get Mrs. Alvarez.” “What’s going on?” Isabel asked David as they were herded to the upper deck. It was decorated with flowers and a priest stood waiting, bible in hand. “David…” “Just go along with it, Isabel,” David whispered as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “This is almost over now.” He was yanked away and held by two of the men. “Let him go!” Isabel cried in alarm as she saw the pain on his face. She tried to go to him and Hawke yanked her up to the priest. “Please don’t hurt him.” “That is entirely up to you, Isabel,” Olivia laughed as she came to join them. She looked over at David, who was looking at her with murder in his eyes. “David is here to witness your wedding,” she continued as her eyes gleamed with pleasure. “He actually thought that he might get a chance with you, did you know that?” She was laughing. “Did you know that he has been in love with you since the day you met, darling? Poor David. Always losing his Isabel to some other man.” “Stop it!” Isabel hissed at her. “You have no right to choose what my life should be!” She glared at the woman as Olivia came over and slapped her. “You can beat me all you want, Olivia. I am NOT going to do this!” She saw the contract sitting nearby and held it up in front of her like a shield. Her eyes glanced at the signatures and she froze. “If you hurt David, I will hurt you.” “So dramatic, child,” Olivia laughed. She looked over at the priest and saw that he was growing very uncomfortable. “Get on with this!” “By all means,” Hawke agreed. He nodded to his men and they brought David forward. “But first we need everyone in their correct places.” He stepped aside and put Isabel’s hand in David’s. “That,” he smiled and nodded, “is how this should be.” “What are you doing?” Olivia hissed as his men grabbed her. “You are supposed to be marrying her!” “I think my wife might not like that, Mrs. Alvarez,” Hawke laughed down at her as he came forward with a pair of handcuffs in hand. He slapped them on her. “By my authority as an agent of Interpol, I arrest you, Olivia Chambers, under the charge of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder.” He looked back at the priest. “You can go ahead now, Father. If,” he added as he looked from Isabel to David, “that is what they want.” “You can’t do this to me!” Olivia screamed as the men dragged her off. Isabel and David didn’t hear what else was said. The world had suddenly come down to just them. Isabel was astounded that David had never told her how he felt. She knew it would have made no difference then but now that Rafael was gone? She knew he would understand if she said ‘no’ at that moment. Looking up into his eyes, so full of love, and hope, she knew what she had to say. “If I say yes, David,” she said softly, “will you promise me one thing.” She laid his hand on her abdomen. “You have to promise me that Rafael’s child will never be made to feel that he is not loved as much as any other children we might have.” She was serious now as she met his eyes. “If you can promise me that, I will be your wife.” “I can promise you that,” David replied, his face lit up with joy. “This child will be ours, Isabel.” He kissed her hand and nodded to the priest. He startled Isabel as he whistled. She heard the excited murmurs of many voices; the sound of approaching feet, and turned to see her parents, her sister-in-law and husband, and the rest of the Guerrero clan, come aboard. “Then if you’re ready,” David smiled at the priest, “we can get on with the ceremony.” Later, when the family had offered their toasts and congratulations, and Olivia had been escorted off the vessel by Hawke Lassiter and his Interpol friends, Isabel and David stood hand in hand in the lounge. David let her go and went to the stereo. He put on some music and they danced. He could not get over the fact that this glorious woman was his wife. They walked down to the stateroom and he watched her as she sank down on the bed, smiling happily. “Happy?” “Very happy,” Isabel smiled back at him, no fear in her glorious eyes; no hesitation in her manner. “You knew the whole time that Lassiter was only pretending. How did you know I was in trouble?” “Simon told me,” David said. “He was afraid that if he told the authorities, Olivia would kill him. I was getting ready to go back to Minneapolis when he called me.” He came over to the bed and sank down next to her. “He never meant it to go as far as murder, Isabel. He thought Olivia had backed off.” “Poor Simon,” Isabel said softly. She began to unbutton David’s shirt and he caught her hands and kissed them. She was confused. “You don’t want me?” “More than life itself, my darling,” David said fervently. He laid his hand on her abdomen, “but I don’t want to harm the baby.” He kissed her lips gently. “Once the doctor has said it is safe,” his smile widened, and his eyes filled with promise. “I love you, David Evans,” Isabel sighed and melted against him. “And I love you, Isabel Evans.” Imprint

Publication Date: 01-11-2010

All Rights Reserved