Chained by our past

Chapter 10

Lucas Reyes had never been a patient man.

He had built Reyes Innovations from the ground up, clawed his way to the top, and never waited for anything he wanted. So why should this be any different?

He had given Isla time—time to process, time to fight, time to run. But now?

Now, he was done waiting.

"Move in with me," he repeated, his voice calm but firm.

Isla stood across from him, her fingers wrapped so tightly around the stem of her wine glass that he half-expected it to shatter. She was trying to control her reaction.

Trying and failing.

Her breathing had hitched when he first said it. Her pupils had dilated. And most importantly?

She hadn’t said no yet.

"Lucas," she exhaled sharply, finally setting down her glass. "You can’t just drop something like this on me and expect me to say yes."

He shrugged. "Why not?"

She shot him a glare. "Because it’s crazy."

"Is it?" Lucas tilted his head, stepping closer. "Tell me what’s crazy about it."

She scoffed. "Where do I start?"

"Start with Leo," he challenged, eyes locking onto hers. "Tell me that keeping him in two separate worlds is what’s best for him."

Her jaw tensed.

He saw the flicker of doubt cross her face, saw the way she hesitated—because she knew he was right.

"He’s adjusting just fine," she said finally. "He’s happy."

Lucas took another slow step toward her. "You think he wouldn’t be happier waking up every morning in a home with both of us?"

Isla inhaled sharply. "You’re trying to force something that isn’t real, Lucas."

He frowned. "What part of this isn’t real?"

She hesitated.

Lucas took that silence and ran with it.

"You keep pushing me away," he said, voice quieter now. "You tell yourself this is temporary, that I’m temporary. But I’m not going anywhere, Isla."

Something flickered in her expression—fear, frustration… something else.

He took another step closer, his voice dropping lower. "Are you afraid of what happens if you stop fighting me?"

She exhaled, shaking her head. "This isn’t about me, Lucas. It’s about Leo."

"Then let’s do what’s best for him," he said simply. "You, me, and Leo—under one roof."

Isla let out a humorless laugh, rubbing her temple. "Do you even hear yourself? This isn’t some boardroom negotiation. This is our lives."

Lucas shrugged. "So let’s negotiate."

Her eyes snapped to his. "What?"

"I’ll give you terms," he said smoothly. "You get to make rules, set conditions. We try it your way. And if it doesn’t work—" he held her gaze steady, "—then we figure out another way."

For a moment, she said nothing.

Lucas could almost hear the war raging inside her, the logic battling against whatever emotions she refused to acknowledge.

Then, finally, she straightened, crossing her arms.

"Fine," she said, voice clipped. "I’ll think about it."

Lucas smirked. "I’ll take that as a yes."

Isla narrowed her eyes. "Don’t push your luck, Reyes."

His smirk widened. Too late.

Two days later, Isla found herself at Lucas’s penthouse, walking through the open-concept space that overlooked the city skyline.

Leo loved it immediately.

He had run through the massive living room, poked his head into every bedroom, and finally settled on the den, where Lucas had already stocked up on dinosaur toys.

"Did you get all these for me?" Leo asked, his green eyes wide with excitement.

Lucas grinned. "Of course. A future paleontologist like you needs the best."

Leo beamed. "Mama, can I stay here tonight?"

Isla’s entire body locked up.

Leo had never spent a night away from her before. Never.

Lucas must have sensed her hesitation because he turned to Leo, his voice gentle.

"How about we plan a sleepover soon, buddy?" he said. "That way, your mom can get used to the idea."

Isla shot him a glare, but Lucas only smirked.

Leo nodded. "Okay!" Then he ran back to his dinosaurs, completely unaware of the silent war happening between his parents.

Isla folded her arms. "You think you’re clever, don’t you?"

Lucas leaned against the kitchen counter, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I don’t think, Calloway. I know."

She rolled her eyes. "You just manipulated a four-year-old."

Lucas’s smirk didn’t fade. "I didn’t manipulate him. I just made the idea of staying here a little more appealing."

Isla sighed, running a hand through her hair. This was dangerous.

Spending time together in neutral spaces was one thing. But moving into Lucas’s home, letting Leo spend nights away from her?

It was too much. Too fast.

"I haven’t decided yet," she said finally.

Lucas studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Take your time."

But his voice held a quiet confidence.

Like he already knew exactly how this was going to end.

Later that evening, after Leo had fallen asleep on the couch, Isla grabbed a blanket and carefully draped it over him.

She turned to find Lucas watching her.

The room was quiet, dimly lit, and suddenly…too intimate.

"He's attached to you already," she murmured.

Lucas’s expression softened. "Yeah. I know."

Something inside Isla twisted.

This was what she had wanted for Leo, wasn’t it? A father. A family. Stability.

So why did it feel so terrifying?

Lucas stepped closer, his voice quieter now. "What are you afraid of, Isla?"

Her breath caught. "I’m not afraid."

Lucas smirked. "Liar."

Isla’s pulse raced.

Before she could stop herself, she reached for him—grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him closer.

Lucas didn’t hesitate.

His lips crashed into hers, fierce and claiming, as if he had been waiting for this moment since the second he walked back into her life.

And Isla?

She kissed him back.

Because for the first time in years, she wanted to lose control.