Bribing the billionaire’s revenge

Matilda greeted them at the door,“hello Liesl.I heard you had an eventful day.I made you chocolate cake.”

“Thank you,”she smiled gratefully.

Isaias,Fred,and Lorraine,along with Isaias’parents had watched the video of Sandy’s ranting in the gallery and Lorraine had wept hard.Fred had taken her home with him and Meredith.

Matilda pulled her from Isaias’arms and gave her a tight squeeze.“It will be okay.Dinner is in the oven.You should go take a nice bath,not too hot because it’s not good for the baby and have a good cry to get the day out of your system.Then come down and I’ll give you and Isaias your dinner before I leave.”

“Thanks Matilda,”Isaias patted the older woman’s shoulder.“What would we do without you?”

“Eat at your parent’s house a lot,I’m sure.”

“And Mara’s,”Liesl giggled as she reminded him of the restaurant,he still insisted they go to once a week.

“Truth.We’d be eating there more than at Mom’s,I’m sure of it.”He escorted Liesl to their bedroom and stood standing over her at the foot of the bed,his hand gently tilting her jaw upward.“Are you okay?”

“I think I saw it coming,”she said quietly.“A while back you asked me if I was in danger from her and I said no but,in my gut,something felt off.I couldn’t explain it then and I can’t now.I’m just glad the guys were there.Also,can I say,Mallory was badass the way he simply took the gun right out of her hand like it was a water pistol?”

He chuckled,“I only hire the best and I’m glad my cousin is the best.I’m so grateful he kept you safe today.”

“I’d like to say I’m not convinced she wouldn’t have pulled the trigger,but she isn’t sane.”

“No,she isn’t.”He squatted down in front of her,“I love you.I love you so very much.I hope you don’t intend to let the DA go lightly with her.If I had my way,I’d have them throw everything at her.As many charges as they can find.”

“I will cooperate,Isaias.It’s not only me now.We have a baby coming we need to protect and given how jealous she is of me,what she could do to our child frightens me.I wasn’t scared for myself today,I knew Mallory had it handled,but all I could think of was if she was loose and wanted to get to me through our baby,I don’t know what I would do.”

“She will never get the chance.Now,”he stared into her eyes,“I think Matilda is right.A warm bath to relax and then dinner?”

“Sounds amazing to me.”

“Lay down and I’ll go run your bath.”When she protested how she could do it herself he chuckled and motioned to the bed.“Stop arguing and let me take care of you.”

An hour later she was sitting at the dining room table with a healthy portion of a roast beef dinner in front of her and Isaias at her side.He was doting and loving as he continued the caring behavior he’d been exhibiting since he’d arrived at the gallery.He’d crawled into the tub with her and held her while she’d sobbed her heart out whispering soft words of comfort.He’d dressed her in a chemise and robe and carried her to the kitchen.She had drawn the line at him feeding her though.

“What are you thinking?”he asked quietly as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb atop the table.

“I’m thinking of how lucky I am to have you.I might not be here if it weren’t for you.”

“How so?I can’t help but feel I precipitated things and I’m feeling immeasurable amounts of guilt.”

“It was always her end goal,I think Isaias.If I had never met you,she still would be hounding me and I can’t help but believe had Merlin divorced her once the baby was born and pursued me,if you weren’t in my life,she would have found a way to kill me.Without you in my life,things would have been infinitely worse than they were earlier today.Each day I am more and more grateful for your presence,Isaias.I love you.”She held his gaze unreservedly,praying the depth of the love she had for him was portrayed in her eyes.

“I will never be a perfect man,Liesl.I’ll probably take off a thousand times in our lifetime to clear my head and arrange my thoughts.I’ll quite possibly piss you off and considering how much I’m going to be underfoot,we’re bound to bump heads but,I promise you,I will love and protect you and respect the love you have for me until I take my last breath.I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself and I admit the feisty,strong-willed woman you are is a huge turn on.Yet,I will be there by your side each time you need to be strong,if only to be your cheerleader.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his words.“It might be a bit rough going over the next few months,considering how much I’m going to miss my mocha lattes and the wine from the cellar.”

He laughed boldly at her,“I think I can take it.You need to grow a human.I can handle the mood swings too.And even the amount of candy Janka told me you’ve been consuming.”They exchanged a grin and he motioned at her plate,“please eat the healthy stuff too though?”

They finished their meal,occasionally exchanging loving glances before Liesl spoke again.

“You know how you asked me to look at vacation options?”She asked quietly.

“Yes.”

“I know we have the house renos starting already and the whole shit with Sandy’s arrest,but can we take the vacation?You and me,alone,even if it’s only a weekend?”

He smirked at her,“yes.The sale of the company will be concluded by end of week and then we can take a vacation.Let’s go for a week.By the time we get back it will be time to start planning the holidays.I’d like to be in the new house by Christmas.”

“I love the sounds of this.Can we go somewhere warm?”

“Yes.”He smiled suddenly,“I like the idea of you in a bikini.”

“It can be arranged.”