16 Sixteen

"What is going to happen now?" Isabella was almost biting off her thumb as she stared out to the clear sky.

"How do you mean?" He handed her a glass of water before he went on to find his stance behind her.

"Gabriel is not going to simply leave me if he sees me with you. He will get even more furious and heaven knows what he will kill and send this time around."

"Bella," he gently placed his hands on her little shoulders. "You are with me now." He reminded her again. "I am going to take care of things from now on."

Isabella turned instantly, her eyes surfaced with some tears. "How Charles?"

"How what?" he reached for a strand of her hair and played with it.

"How can you help me like this? I hurt you."