Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 8

Johan'# PoV

In the past

"Federico don't get upset but Isabelle is missing. I have the police and security services looking for her. It was clearly a inside job her bodyguards have been arrested."

Federico looks at his best friend, "Johan I expected nothing else from you. I heard from my father she was missing. I was about to video call you when her "boyfriend" called wanting to know. If I know anyone in the mob who could find her."

Johan rolls his eyes, "I know his mother and my mother are best friends but since he started dating Izzy he's a different person. He's full of himself and he seems to think he's equal to me or Noah. He's acting man I know he's and he's not the good guy he's pretending to be. When we get Izzy back you ask her out or at least tell her you're in love with her. You're my best friend it would be great if you were my brother in law as well."

"Do you think she's suffering wherever she is?"

Johan wished in that moment he could give his best friend a hug. "Unfortunately I do, the only positive I can take from her kidnapping is they need her alive. Meaning they know they have to treat her well. First Noah and gran now this. My family is going through a lot right now."

"I know which is why I'm going to come and stay with you guys for couple weeks and help with the search."

The Present Day

Johan walks over to where his best friend and sister were. He could see how upset Federico was even though he tried to hide it.

Leah can you give us a minute please," she leaves.

"Why don't we go into my office and talk,"  hE suggest..

"Okay," answers Isabelle who looks at Federico who nods his head.

All three of them walk to Johan's study. When they get there he closes the door after telling his security to not let anyone in.

"What's going on?"

"Isabelle I need to ask you to do something for me okay."

"What big brother?"

"I know you haven't spoken to James about your time in captivity. I don't want you to tell him anything about what went on."

She looks at her brother in alarm, "Why?"

"That nice guy routine is an act and I don't want you to tell him. Something that he could blackmail you with or use against you."

He could see she was shocked, "You encouraged me to date him."

"I know and I'm sorry but he's no good I just can't prove it yet."

"Is that true or are you saying that because Federico likes me."

"I don't like you Isabelle  I love you and I didn't expect you to run back to him. So quickly after you were found. I was going to tell you how I felt and ask you to marry me but he got there before me."

"I don't understand why now. Why tell me now?"

"It's not to later to end your relationship with him."

"That's not fair he's a wonderful man Federico."

"The day we took the country back his mother and a pregnant Eva was all outside the palace gates fighting. Even his sister and younger brother were there doing their best to defend their country. You know who wasn't there, James. I was looking through some CCTV footage yesterday and he was nowhere to be found," explains Johan.

"He said he fought and was hurt that's why he had a broken hand. Federico I want to continue to be your friend but I don't love you."

She walks out the office.

Federico looks crestfallen, "She doesn't love you yet man. Make her fall in love with you, become her confident. The person she leans on."

I see him mauling over my words, "You're right there is still time before the wedding to stop it. Do you think she will keep quiet and don't tell James details about her ordeal?"

He was asking me if I trust my sister the truth is I did. Something tells me from this alarm on her face.  When I mentioned it to her she has told him something but nothing of great importance.

"She told him something I'm sure of it what I don't know. She has trouble sleeping she may have told him why."

"She's been through a lot."

Isabelle walks into my study without knocking and shows me her phone. There was an article about her being afraid of pyjamas trending on Twitter. She wipes her tear stain face, "You love me right?" She ask Federico turning to him.

A shock Federico nods his head, "Marry me in secret.  Later  we can have a big wedding or divorce each other in secret a year from now. I want to find out what James is up to. He's the only person I told about the pyjamas who wasn't family. You both know how important getting that Gucci handbag for mom is to me. He watched me walk into a shop and watch the disappointment on my face and saw me getting upset. Only to tell me later  he bought it as a surprise for me."

"Did you tell him anything else?" I ask

She looks me right in the eyes, "No and I'm changing bedrooms. Today is the first time he's been in mind thankfully and he will never set foot in it again. I understand now why even thought Susan is her best friend. Mum never allowed her to treat her like she was anything
but royal. Why she didn't allow her children upstairs in our private quarters."

"People have ulterior motives but Susan and the rest of her family are decent I know that for a fact. James is the one I'm unsure about something in his way of  thinking has changed and not for the good. I hate to say it but it's true. I don't know if mum and Susan's friendship can survive James craftiness but it's strong. Then again her son just betrayed my sister. Since  only her family members knew the truth about the pyjamas."

Two pairs of eyes look at me, "How soon can we arrange the wedding?" Ask Izzy.

"Three days Federico's family needs to come to Denmark for the wedding. Don't worry I won't announce your engagement to the world and we will deny it if we need to. I'm glad James's things are not in the castle yet."

To my surprise Izzy takes Federico's hand and whispers, "Me too."