NINE PART 1

ISABELLE’S POINT OF VIEW

"Call me queen bitch now, and if you don't mind, I'd rather cut the crap and get to the point. What do you want from me?"

"I've come for you. Haven't you figured that out yet?"

Both Chase and Malik tensed up behind me, ready to pounce, but I held up my hand, signaling them to hold back. I didn't know his game, but I needed to unravel this mystery before taking any action.

I mustered a half-hearted smile. "If it's me you're after, then release the others. Let them go, and we can settle our issues face-to-face."

"You mean your dear old father?"

Anger swelled within me, but I suppressed it. I wouldn't let this jerk get the upper hand. Not again.

"Alright, since you seem to know so much about me, why don't you spill the beans and tell us what you really want? Let's see if we can come to some sort of agreement."

There was something about the way he locked eyes with me, his gaze cool and piercing, that stirred a deep ache in my gut. He exuded confidence in knowing m