Riordan by Kathi S. Barton Page B

him then and let the tear she’d not had to manufacture fall down her cheek. “I want you
    to tell me this is a joke. I don’t know how long it will take me to forgive you for this, but you
    know how I dislike these kinds of situations.”
    “He doesn’t allow or disallow me to do anything. I make my own decisions.” Storm looked
    ready to pounce on her when she heard something or someone coming from the back of the
    house. The noise that came from behind Riordan had her looking that way. And when the man
    came into the room more, she thought for sure she was seeing things.
    “President Waynewright. I had no idea that you knew the Harrison family.” He just smiled
    at her and put out his hand. She shook it, thinking that this alone should make Riordan see what a
    real woman acted like.
    “I don’t know them. Well, I didn’t know them. I came to talk to my girl, Stormy. She’s been
    helping me out with a little problem I was having.”
    Isabell thought she’d heard him wrong. But when he pulled the woman to him and kissed
    her on the head, Isabell felt like she’d been punked. Then she realized that was what was really
    going on.
    “I get it now. I see. I’m not one for a good joke. My Riordan can tell you that. But this is a
    good one. I nearly fell for it.” Isabell put her hand out to the president again. “I don’t think we’ve
    been properly introduced. I’m Riordan’s fiancée, Isabell Applegate. The Applegates of Hyde
    Park. Perhaps you know of my family?”
    “I can’t say that I do.” President Waynewright looked at Riordan, then at Stormy. “I thought
    you said he was going to marry you? Not that I care. I’d been hoping all this time you’d tell me I
    was the light of your life.”
    The low growl coming from Riordan had her taking a step back. But then everyone laughed
    and she tried to join them. Isabell was so confused that she was willing to turn to Stormy for
    help.
    “You’re not going to marry him, are you? Tell me you’re just kidding me and I’ll
    completely understand.” Storm just stared at her, and Isabell wanted to cry. “You’re not his type.
    I mean, you don’t even look like you have ten cents in your pocket, and just look how you’re
    dressed. Those are not designer pants. They look like…they look military.”
    “Because they are.” Storm reached behind her and pulled out a wallet. An actual wallet that
    looked like something a man would carry. “These are my credentials. I’m dressed this way
    because I am military. Not that I have to answer any of your questions, but no, I’m not marrying
    Riordan, but only because he’s never asked. I might live with him. As you’ve pointed out, he is a
    good fuck. As for marrying him, I don’t know. But you’ll be the first to know when I come to a
    decision.”
    Isabell wasn’t going to stand here and take this abuse. If he wanted someone with a temper,
    who spoke her mind, she knew that she could do that, too. Her maid was forever telling her she
    talked like a man. And if one of them could see her when she was locked up in her room, they’d
    run from her.
    “I don’t care for the way you’re speaking to me.” She looked at Riordan. “You should take
    better care of your…pets, Riordan. And the next time I see you, you’d better be dressed properly.
    I won’t stand for this…whatever it is you’re wearing. I expect you to be well groomed and
    attentive. You have been remiss in that so far today.”
    Someone laughed, and she turned to him. The older man looked like he might be related to
    the rest of them, but right now, she was showing herself to be strong. Taking a step to him, she
    slapped him across the face.
    Isabell felt her arm being jerked behind her, and the hard point of something at her head. She
    tried to jerk from it when Storm—she just realized who it was—told her not to fucking move.
    That was when she realized it wasn’t her finger at her head but a gun. Isabell tried again to