Page 87 of Lost & Found

Pasha glanced over from his seat, and I wondered what he was thinking. Lisa pointed out various landmarks along the way, her enthusiasm and love for the area clear. I couldn’t help but smile. She was similar to Kinsley. Her infectious nature made me breathe easier.

I settled back as the atmosphere inside the car filled with lively chatter and laughter. Pasha and his friends, clearly familiar with one another, exchanged stories and jokes, catching up on each other’s lives. I listened with a small smile frozen on my lips, content to not take part, but enjoying the camaraderie of the group.

Trent, in a similar boat to me, turned and with a curious expression asked, “Do you dance as well?”

I hesitated for a moment before answering. I noticed Hannah paying close attention all of a sudden. “Not really. I know a few basics. Nothing like these guys.”

Trent nodded. “Ah, got it,” he said.

“Do you?” I asked.

“Me? Solo un po.” Just a little.

My eyebrows raised in surprise at the unexpected answer being delivered in Italian. Hannah must have told him I speak it. If he was hoping I’d carry on a conversation with him that way, he was sadly mistaken.

I only used it when heated or emotional. General conversations outside my family in my native language reminded me of Sonny. Frozen in the moment, I nodded.

“We should go salsa dancing tonight,” Hannah exclaimed. “Trent is being modest. He can do more than a little on the dance floor.” She flashed a fake smile in my direction. “Isabella, you can watch our purses for us.”

“Actually, she’ll be tied up tonight. She lost a bet earlier in the week and I’m collecting on it,” Pasha said casually. The lie was as smooth as the skin on his chest or…my pussy. The innuendo hung in the air, and the car was deathly quiet.

Dirty, dirty boy.

I laughed. “Or we could pull out the cards and dice and have a good old-fashioned game night instead of all of us going dancing. I’m sure you’ll be getting in lots of practice with the intensive. Save your strength,” I teased.

Pasha’s eyes burned into mine, and I was mesmerized. “Kinsley insisted I bring them.”

I wasn’t lying about that part. She really did insist, though I told her I had no use for them. They were brand new and had never been opened. She said if I really felt that way to gift them to the bride and groom. Hannah scoffed and turned red in the face as the car erupted in laughter.

“What, you guys don’t do game nights as a group?” I asked innocently.

“No. We’re not freaks,” Hannah exclaimed, looking horrified.

How a passionate man like Pasha ended up dating her was a mystery to me. It was no wonder he whored around at the club.

“I’d like to see these cards,” Trent said, coming to my rescue.

“The dice, man, that is where the action really is.” Pasha laughed. “Isn’t that right, Isabella?”

I laughed and shook my head once more. We arrived at the restaurant, and as we waited for a table, Hannah couldn’t help but glare. Seeing the animosity brewing in her eyes had me on edge. I plastered a serene look on my face, thankful that I had learned how to master them.

It didn’t take long for the table, and soon we were seated around it, casually looking at menus. There was too much to choose from. The server came around and asked for our order. I froze, still scanning the menu. My mind was everywhere at once. Pasha sensed the overwhelm. When it came time for me to speak, he didn’t hesitate.

“She’ll have ham, poached eggs with a side of grilled tomatoes. And I’ll have the same.”

The tension in my shoulders eased. I didn’t look at him, but my knee brushed his beneath the table. A silent thank you. His fingers squeezed once in response, like he’d heard it anyway.

“How sweet,” Hannah murmured in my direction, all syrupy and low. “He orders for you. Does he wipe your ass as well?”

For a split second, I almost laughed. If she thought that was going to rattle me, she clearly didn’t understand growing up in a house full of men who considered crude humor a competitive sport. I’d survived Bash, the King brothers, and even Marcel on rare occasions. Hannah’s attempt barely qualified as amateur hour.

I turned my head. “No, but he is fond of eating it.”

Silence followed. Utter, choking silence. Hannah’s face went from natural to blotchy red in less than three seconds. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. Across from me, Trent’s water stalled halfway to his mouth. Oops…guess it was a little louder than I thought.

He cocked his head to the side before chuckling. He grabbed Hannah’s hand and kissed it. She turned her attention to him.

Pasha kissed my neck. “What do I enjoy eating?” he asked, his breath brushing over my ear.