Chapter 82
“I can see you’re struggling with fear, but don’t be. I won’t make fun of you.” Nathaniel pressed his chest firmly against hers.
Their bodies were nearly fused. She was fully enveloped in his arms.
She wore a tight red dress today. Now she could feel the heat of his skin through the fabric. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs as they pressed together.
His breath so close to her ear dragged her mind back five years.
She had been comatose, but in her haze, she remembered the feel of a man’s body. Strong. Solid. Like Nathaniel’s…
Stop it! He’s nothing like that bastard!
I will find out what happened that night.
“I’m not scared of this. Let me go or I’ll kick your head off,” Isabella threatened coldly.
“Isabella, it’s okay to be afraid. People have died on these rides before. Come here. I’ll keep you safe.” Nathaniel’s voice was low and earnest as he rubbed her shoulder.
Isabella wanted to scream.
This man is a demon. She imagined driving a knife through his arm but held back. Damn him!
The carriage jerked and swayed violently. Screams pierced the air around them.
Nathaniel’s hand slid along her spine. “Don’t be afraid… Oh, and…” He pulled out a necklace.
“This jade pendant is a Blackwood family heirloom. It wards off evil. Protects the wearer.” He fastened it around her neck as he spoke.
The necklace held a platinum crescent moon pendant. Exquisitely crafted. Detailed.
A translucent jade was set into it, engraved with the words—I Love You.
Along the inner curve of the crescent, a willow leaf seemed to float like a tiny boat.
Isabella’s expression remained neutral, but her heart slammed against her chest.
This was ELVNX’s latest couples necklace released this year. The men’s version was a sun that locked with the crescent to form a full circle.
The leaf and the sun’s ray created a heart when joined.
Sun and moon. “You and me through day and night.”
How dare he call it a family heirloom? It was an award-winning international design. A limited edition—only nine available worldwide!
Ward off evil? It was just jade.
She tried to unclasp it. It didn’t budge. “You can’t remove it. It’s a lock design.” Isabella glared.
She knew the designer of ELVNX was stubborn. Of course she knew.
The flagship necklace couldn’t be taken off once worn. It needed special tools to remove. Unlike OHLY, her own brand.
ELVNX stood for tacky romance and mutual destruction. Those who wore it were seen as loyal lovers.
He had known her for such a short time. And he gave her an ELVNX.
Bang!
The carriage plunged downward. The shaking intensified.
The violent motion threw them against each other, breathless.
Isabella lunged to shield Oliver, who was still asleep. The move threw her off balance.
She and the child tumbled to the floor.