Chapter 11

Not like any guy Cole have seen before in that state

Something is definitely going on

They went straight to the barman.

*Guy 1:* "Please. Have you seen any lady like this?"

He showed a picture.

The barman squinted. "No. I haven't seen her."

*Guy 2:* "Okay. Take this picture. Just in case you see someone like this, please call this number."

He dropped a printed paper on the counter. On the paper was a face and a phone number.

From where Adrian and Cole were sitting, they could see it clearly.

It was Isabella's picture.

Adrian’s whole body stiffened. His hand tightened around his glass. Because he knows them

Cole whispered: "Isn't that... Isabella?" He lowered his head

The guys left the bar. Before Adrian finally spoke,

"I got her background checked. Now do you understand why I told you she needs protection? Not just because she looks like LARA.

Cole has this look of confusion "Protecting her from who exactly?"

"She is married to Jackson Amond. And those guys are his men” Adrian replied

"Jackson?! Cole was frozen for some seconds “Jackson AMOND the popular guy? Why have I not heard about it?”

“Remember we are not on social media. We don't even have a social media account. How are you going to know about it ?"

"I can use G****e, right?" Cole pulled out his phone fast. He typed: `Jackson Almond and his wife`

He scrolled. His face changed.

There was only ONE picture of her online. Just one.

It was a picture of Isabella left alone on their 4th anniversary day. Looking embarrassed. Looking abandoned. The picture was circulating online with laughing emojis.

He shows it to Adrian "Why is this the only picture of her online? Only this one? Does this mean Jackson does not like her or something? Because there should be more couples pictures

He looked at the picture. His jaw tightened.

"It's a long love story. I can't tell you about it now. I have to go home now”

He stood up, dropped money on the table.

"But I think” he looked back at Cole who was still sitting down “I'm just going to keep her for a while."

Outside, one of Adrian’s own guys was leaning on a bike, waiting.

He just raised two fingers and gave a small flick - a silent signal.

“ Follow them. You know what to do right?”

“ yes sir “

———>>———>>

Isabella looked out the car window, confused, when the car turned off the main road and entered a narrow, tarred road. No other cars. No houses. Just tall trees on both sides and darkness.

"Why is this road so lonely?

Charles, who was driving, glanced at her from the rearview mirror.

"Because this is a private road, ma'am. This road belongs only to the Adrian family. No one else is allowed to use it except the family and their people. This whole land you are seeing, it belongs to his dad."

With that he continued driving. The car drove for another 4 minutes in silence until they finally came to a clearing.

Isabella gasped.

There, in the middle of nowhere, were FOUR huge mansions. Beautiful, massive, white houses, but a little bit far from each other. Each one had its own space and a gate . The whole place screamed money.

The mafia vibe was LOUD. Beautiful, but dangerous.

The car came to a stop before an enormous black gate.

After a brief wait, the gate slowly rolled open, and they drove inside.

It took another minute of driving through the compound before they arrived at a second gate - the one that led directly to the house.

Charles opened the car door for her

She stepped out, holding Adrian’s big shirt tightly.

As soon as she walked into the main mansion, - the biggest one - it was surrounded by at least 15 black cars. Range Rovers, G-Wagons, Bentleys. All black. All shining.

the air changed. Dark vibe. Everything was black, grey, and gold. Very quiet. The lights were dim. Paintings of old men on the wall. It didn't feel like a house. It felt like power.

A man in a black suit walked up to her quickly.

"Good day, ma'am. Let me assist you “

Isabella stepped back.

"Don't worry, I can walk."

The man bowed. "This way, ma'am. Your room is already arranged for you."

She followed him.

While walking inside, she noticed something strange.