Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Thirty Four

ISABELLA MATTIA

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I jump up faster than lightning. We're both butt naked. I scramble for my clothes that have been discarded somewhere by the kitchen. My vision turns hazy as I throw on my t-shirt and panties as quickly as possible. I don't glance at Elio, praying that he's getting himself sorted.

"Isabella?"

"Yeah," I call out. "One second."

Elio shoots me a glance with a shake of his head. I probably shouldn't have said anything at all but the panic inside my veins is clearly making me blurt things stupidly. Once my clothes are on and I fix my hair I look back to find Elio stuffing his shirt into his trousers.

I suck in a breath and pray I don't look freshly fucked. God knows my cheeks are most definitely on fire. My fingers latch onto the door handle and I press down to open it. My dad stands on the other side with a stern expression–he hates waiting.

"Hey," I say a little too optimistically with a wave. "Dad, what are you doing here?"

His brows press together. "Am I not allowed to surprise my daughter? I haven't seen you in ages."

"I know," I brush my hair with my fingers. "I just wasn't expecting you right now."

I step forward and he wraps me up in a hug and for a moment I panic that my t-shirt might be inside out or something. He kisses my cheek and I cringe at the thought of having Elio on my lips twenty minutes ago. I didn't get a chance to brush my teeth before this moment.

"Good to see you, Bella," he whispers. "I've missed you."

My eyes close and I inhale my father's scent. "I missed you too."

I step back and push open the door to find Elio standing with his hands behind his back. He looks immaculate. Facial expression is completely blank and eyes set forward. I swallow down the lump in my throat and watch as my father walks towards him.

"Elio," he nods and holds out his hand.

"Lonzo," he responds before taking it.

Their handshake lasts a few seconds before my father turns back to me and I flash him a forced smile. Inside I'm trembling with fear and yet I'm full of a thrill from almost being caught. Holy shit. I am not okay.

"You didn't answer my question," I exhale. "What are you doing here?"

He doesn't respond immediately, instead he inspects the house and I beg to the Gods of this universe that he doesn't find anything that makes him suspicious. "Well..." he trails off. "I wanted to come by after hearing about those notes you've been receiving. After you sent me that list of people I've been looking into each and every one of them."

"Anything to report?" Elio's voice makes me jump.

"We're looking into a couple leads."

I whip my head to my dad. "What? Really?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Jorge for one." My father's jaw cracks. "I've taken him off campus and I'm keeping a close eye on him. We found something on him and I'm not taking any more risks."

I press my hand to my forehead. "Okay. Who else?"

"Jenson and his family," he nods.

Elio shakes his head. "It is not him."

"How do you know that, Elio?"

"It's obvious. I saw how he reacted when Isabella approached him. I don't think he's behind this and I know his parents are rich, entitled assholes but I don't think he is doing this. I think it's someone else with a vendetta we don't know about. It's not as black and white as it seems." He explains.