The Prince of Chicago

Chapter 17

Isabelle

I paced back and forth behind my bedroom doors I had just slammed, mind racing. What was Angelo thinking?! He was undoubtedly attractive, and I could definitely feel a connection between us. It started as soon as I had arrived and only continued to heat up the longer I’d been here. The flirty rapport, Angelo’s quick wit, the moments of tenderness he’d shown as I learned the ins and outs of my new job and life here. I hated to admit it, but I had grown a touch fond of the man keeping me prisoner.

No! I thought to myself. How could I even admit something like that?! Yes, Angelo was charming, charismatic, and undeniably sexy, but he was also moody, and hot-headed, and most of all, dangerous. I couldn’t let myself fall into the trap of feeling anything for him but resentment for turning my life upside-down. I still had to get out of here.

But yet… that scene in the office moments ago, I couldn’t shake it. It kept replaying over and over in my head as I paced, and I couldn’t help but wonder, what would have happened if I had stayed? There was a part of me deep down that wished I had. I was more confused than ever.

I plunked myself down onto the chaise with a loud sigh, letting my head fall into my hands. Up until now, I had deliberately been playing along with Angelo’s flirtations in an effort to gain his trust. But the moves he had pulled out today changed everything. I had honestly assumed his behavior was just who he was: a playboy of sorts, a jokester. But now I was confused - maybe there actually was something there.

What I hadn’t counted on was the thought of that ‘something’ making my stomach drop, and I honestly couldn’t tell if it was in a good way or a bad way. Regardless, it made me realize that there was a lot more going on behind the scenes that I had been ignoring. Was I really just playing along with Angelo’s advances, like I kept telling myself? Or was there a part of me deep inside that was enjoying this little ruse I had been putting on?

The problem was, I didn’t think I could figure it out in my current situation. Until I knew I was truly safe from the threats Angelo had made when I first arrived, there was no way I could begin to sort through this other mess of feelings. I had to do whatever it took to survive, and I couldn’t forget the reason I was here in the first place either: Angelo. Despite anything else, I had to stay focused on the most important goal: getting out of here alive.

* * *

Angelo

I was left standing there in the back office corridor, and for the first time in my life, I had no idea how to react. Usually, I knew exactly how I felt about something as soon as it happened, and I acted on it right away, but this was different. I was almost dumbfounded. I was primarily angry with myself for letting my natural urges take over, but I was also in a way hurt by Isabelle’s sudden departure. Never before had I had a woman literally run away from my advances. But then again, never before had I kept a woman locked in my penthouse because she witnessed an execution I had ordered.

I brought my fist down heavy onto the metal filing cabinets Isabelle had been pressed against just a moment earlier, the loud thud echoing through the small space. How could I have been so stupid? I shouldn’t have pushed it that far, she wasn’t ready for that yet. But I wanted her, and I also wasn’t used to waiting to get what I wanted.

Just then, I heard my office door open. Was that her, coming back? My heart jumped at the thought. Maybe I was wrong, maybe she was ready for something more with me. I took a deep breath, trying to push down my anger from the previous few minutes, and stepped around the corner to greet her. Only, it wasn’t her, it was Rose, followed by Denver. My expression immediately flattened, and the anger I had nearly successfully pushed down came bubbling up once again.

“What?” I asked, rather harshly. The last thing I needed was some sort of problem to deal with right now. Denver and Rose exchanged a glance before returning their eyes to me.

“Uh, well, we saw Isabelle run down the hall,” Denver said, nerves clear in his voice. It sounded like there was going to be more to the sentence, but he stopped himself from finishing it. I glared at him.

“She ran right upstairs and slammed her bedroom doors, dear,” Rose said after a pause. “What in the world happened?” I turned my glare to Rose, which was then met with a sharp expression back from her. She pursed her lips in displeasure. “I was changing your diapers 25 years ago, don’t you give me that look,” she wagged her finger at me on the last part. Finally, I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, looking down.

“I tried to kiss her,” I said. Silence came from both of them, and the last thing I wanted to do was look up to see their surely judgemental expressions. But as the pause grew, I finally lifted my head. Rose looked back at me disapprovingly, while Denver had a smirk dancing on his face, which he immediately wiped clean when I met his eyeline. Finally, Rose let out a loud sigh.

“That is no way for you to treat a lady, Angelo,” she said in a disappointed tone. This made Denver snicker, to which Rose whacked him on the shoulder. “Enough! You clearly have feelings for Miss Bradford, as much as you deny them. We all see it. Now stop being immature and own up to them, and for god’s sake be a gentleman about it!”

“Rose, I wasn’t-”

“Smooching in a back office, hands all up where they don’t belong, I don’t want to hear the rest!” She cut me off. “You go ask that beautiful young lady on a date right now!” This produced a full on laugh out of Denver, followed by another whack from Rose.

A date? She couldn’t be serious. I was living with the girl, working side by side with her. What would a date accomplish that more time here in the penthouse wouldn’t?

“You know, it’s not a bad idea,” Denver chimed in. “Taking her out, giving her some time out of the penthouse, some time with you in a different setting. It may shift her perception of the situation, you know?” I rolled my eyes.

“He’s right, dear,” Rose said, a bit more collected now. “And besides, I won’t have any nefarious behavior happening under this roof on my watch. You go be a proper gentleman and ask her on a date.”

I exhaled sharply, and opened my mouth to protest the continued suggestion.

“Nope!” said Rose, holding her hand up. “There is no debate to be had here. Now go.” She motioned out the door. I shut my mouth and I looked over to Denver, who shrugged back at me.

“Fine,” I said evenly, trying to mask my annoyance. I walked toward the open door, bumping into Denver in the process, who stumbled back and just chuckled at my arrogant anger. Rose patted my back as I passed. I could already tell this was about to turn into a circus.