Read Online The Muscle Part One by Michelle St. James - Free Book Online

like him?”
    She searched his voice for signs that he knew what had happened between her and Luca and didn’t find any. He was fishing; she just didn’t know why.
    “He’s fine,” Isabel said. She didn’t want to give any indication that she liked Luca more than anyone else in her brother’s employ. Any ally of Isabel’s was a target for Diego, and she didn’t want that for Luca. If she could trust her brother to fire someone without bloodshed, she would have suggested Luca wasn’t working out. But she couldn’t, which meant that Luca was in danger if she did anything but show bland acceptance of his presence.
    Diego ran a hand down her canvas, smearing some of the fresh paint, and Isabel had to fight not to scream.
    “I’ll have some more papers for you to sign soon, nena, ” he said.
    “That’s fine,” she said, forcing her voice steady.
    “Good,” he said. “Good. I like that you’re so… accommodating. I’m glad our arrangement is working out.”
    “It’s not like I have a choice.” The words were out before she could stop them.
    He reached out, smeared his paint-stained hands against her cheek. The paint was cool and wet on her skin. “Everyone has a choice.”
    She turned on him, her cheeks flaming, heart beating like a wild bird in her chest. “Not everyone. Not all the time.”
    He smiled, and she hated him for the pleasure in it. He liked seeing her hurt. He got off on it. In fact, she would bet nothing and no one got him off like seeing her in pain.
    “Yes, punta , even you. Even now.” He crossed the room to the door. “We could have been allies, you and I. You did this.” He turned back to look at her. “I’m still getting to know your new bodyguard, but I have a feeling he will have a special… appreciation for your work. And I’m not talking about the pieces of shit in this room.”
    He stepped into the hall and shut the door. She stood there, breathing hard, tears stinging her eyes, for what seemed like hours. Then she took her palette and threw it against the closed door.

16
    T he park was crowded with people: children with sand pails and buckets, holding the hands of their parents. A group of people practicing yoga under the trees while others jogged and biked on the path that wound toward the beach.
    Luca watched Isabel scan the park, her eyes coming to rest on a set of picnic tables decorated with balloons.
    “Is that them?” she asked Sofia.
    “I think so,” Sofia said. “I see Grace.”
    “Let’s go make sure.” She avoided Luca’s eyes as they started across the grass.
    She didn't want him here. Luca had heard her arguing with Diego, making a case for taking Sofia alone. But Diego wouldn’t allow it. It was for her own safety, he’d said. They had enemies. Powerful enemies. She must consider Sofia’s well-being if not her own.
    Luca was sure the bastard was lying, but he still couldn’t figure out why.
    In the end Isabel had agreed to allow Luca to accompany them only because she’d had no choice. She was still a mystery to him, but he was starting to understand that her priority was Sofia, and she seemed determined to allow her little sister a real childhood despite the strange circumstances surrounding them.
    They were within a few feet of the picnic table when a girl with blonde pigtails came running up to them. “Sofia! There’s a pink princess cake and we all get to wear tiaras!”
    Sofia didn’t look impressed, and Luca surprised a smile. Pink princesses weren’t her thing. She liked books and Star Wars. It was something he loved about her. Something that reminded him of Isabel. A stubborn determination to be herself, whatever the cost.
    “Go on,” Isabel said to Sofia. “I’ll be right there.”
    Sofia took off at a dead run, her dark hair fanning out behind her in the humid breeze.
    “I just need to say hello to Meredith’s parents,” Isabel said without looking at him. “You don’t have to come.”
    It was her way of saying she