Warning Signs

Monacco Desert Cottage - Vista Hills



“Okay, the last thing to cover is the potential acquisition of Whitfield Unlimited. They have a packing plant on the east side of town that MSI could easily leverage as a requisite use facility for all shipping requests over a certain size. Very profitable situation there,” Blair handed Isabella the perspectives on the company and waited for the answer she knew was coming. Isabella gave them a quick scan and slid them back across the table. “I think it’s a great idea Blair. Please draw up an offer and send it to Mr. Whitfield. I’m having dinner with him tomorrow night.”



The light chime of the door bell interrupted their business meeting. Isabella moved to answer it and as she approached the door a smile spread across her face when she recognized her visitor. “Reese, what are you doing here?” “I came to drop this off," he said holding up a shopping bag and returning her smile. “You left it in Eden’s car the other day. I happened to be over there and told her I’d get it to you.”



“Thank you,” she said taking the bag and gesturing for him to come into the house. “I’m not disturbing you am I? The bag isn’t really the only reason I’m here.” Isabella turned back to the dinning room where Blair was already gathering up her things to leave. “Don’t worry about it. We were finishing up anyway. Isabella, I’ll have the offer set up and sent out by tomorrow morning.” Blair grabbed her briefcase, acknowledged Reese with a nod, and headed out the front door.



He sat down in the living room as she went to the kitchen to get him something to drink. Without realizing it, his gaze followed her shapely silhouette as she walked away from him; an unexpected reaction that he shook himself out of immediately. He put his hand up to rub the back of his neck and felt the slight wetness of his palm. He wiped it off on the sofa cushion and shifted in his seat trying to get himself together. After all this time she still made him a little nervous.



“So what’s going on?” she said setting a glass of water in front of him. “I know you’re not here to talk about the weather.” Reese took a sip of the water and inhaled sharply before he began. “Look Issy, Eden told me about you and Nico and I know you’re happy, but….” he let out a sigh, knowing she wouldn’t like what he was about to say. “You don’t know him anymore. He’s different. He’s not the same person he was when we were kids. I’m not just saying this because he’s a known criminal, which should be a consideration in the first place, but he’s been through a lot of crazy stuff. Things that have really messed him up, badly.”



Isabella gave him a knowing smile. He was being protective, which was a welcome revelation given the history between them. “Well clearly Eden still can’t keep a secret. I know he’s changed Reese, but deep down he’s still the same in a lot of ways. I know you too have had your differences and I blame myself for a lot of that, but his heart is still good, despite what he does. You used to be his best friend; I know you can still see that, even a little.”



He looked away from her briefly, realizing that he was talking to a wall. Whatever hold Nico had on her before had only tightened; she was already in too deep on to be receptive to his warnings. But he had come here for a reason and he was going to get out everything he had to say. Whatever she did with it was up to her. “He’s not evil, I know that. But a good heart doesn’t excuse the fact that he’s got half the town under his thumb out of fear and the other have soaked in drug money. This isn’t cops and robbers Isabella; he’s a walking target. People want to kill him and everyone that’s important to him. Do you really think you’re exempt from that?” Reese kept his eyes on her, his face serious, hoping that something was getting through.



She averted her eyes and let out a breath; her expression becoming distant and almost pained. When she turned back to him he could see tears glistening in her eyes, but she blinked them back before they could fall. “I know what I’m dealing with Reese, but I also know that Nico would never let anything happen to me. Never.” Incredulous, he closed his eyes and shook his head. “Famous last words. What did he do hire a bodyguard for you? He can’t be with you every second and that’s all it takes for someone to take a shot. Wake up Issy! You’ve got to let this go!!”



Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of the front door slamming startled them both. “So she’s got to let me go, huh Boy Scout?” Nico stood in the entryway arms crossed and ready to spit venom, but he kept his composure. “The door was unlocked. You might want to tell her not to let that happen again since you want to be her damn watch dog all of a sudden.”



Isabella stood up and walked towards him quickly making herself a barrier between the two men. “Nico stop. Reese was just concerned, that’s all,” she said trying to pacify him and prevent things from escalating. Nico grabbed her by the waist and kissed her passionately, unmistakably marking his territory. “I’ll just bet he was,” he said in a low growl when he finally released her.



Reese stood up from the sofa and began walking past them towards the door. “I’m gonna go. Think about what I said Issy; you know where to find me if you ever need anything.” “She won’t. I’ve got her covered,” Nico shouted after him. He heard Isabella call out a feeble goodbye just before the door slammed behind him.



None of this would end well; he knew it and deep down so did she. Once again he had tried and failed to get her to realize that she and Nico would never work and once again she had ignored him in the face of her feelings for the asshole. But one thing was definitely different. This time he wouldn’t be the nice guy that came in last; he wasn’t even entering this race. He could only hope that she faced reality before it was too late.


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Monacco Estate - Canary Islands, Spain




“Carlos, how are you?” Blair rolled her eyes as she knew this phone call would mean that her work day wasn’t quite over yet. “Not good Ms. Bolthouse, not good at all. I haven’t heard from my daughter in weeks and please don’t misunderstand, while I so enjoy hearing your voice I’d prefer to hear hers. What is Isabella so busy with that she can’t take a 5 minute phone call from her father?”



“I just came from seeing her. Have you tried her place?” Blair winced as she already knew the answer to that question. “Of course I have. Lexie said that she was out entertaining clients. I’d love to know just who she’s entertaining at this hour.” “Well you know what they say, the city never sleeps,” she said with a laugh trying to lighten his mood. “Can I help you with anything?”



“Yes. You tell my daughter that I want to speak to her, not you and not Lexie. I’m trusting her with my legacy and she damn well better understand that she is going to have answer to me, directly. If she doesn’t, I’m afraid that I’m going to have to initiate a meeting with her myself….in person.”