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“Such a good girl,” I praise her while giving her a treat as reward.
We play catch for ten minutes before I see Isabella walk toward me.
“Morning,” she calls out.
“Morning.”
“Luna has so much energy.” She smiles at my dog and stops to pet her, then comes to me. “Your face looks so much better.”
“Yeah, I feel better too.”
“That’s good.”
She watches me throw the ball again, then says, “Viktor said you’re interested in working with me.”
“I am.” Feeling awkward, I add, “That’s if it’s okay with you. I don’t want to overstep.”
Isabella gestures to the patio, and once we’re seated, she mentions, “I’m worried whether you can handle it. It’s not pretty.”
“I know.” I only got a taste of it, and it still haunts me. “But I’d like to try.”
She thinks for a moment, then says, “I can show you some of the admin work. We can take it slow.”
Excitement bubbles in my chest. “Okay. That would be great.” I give her an apologetic smile. “It’s just… I don’t have any experience.”
“Then I’ll teach you.”
I’m so freaking happy to hear that, I have to resist the urge to hug her.
Isabella glances over the garden. “I don’t want you to think I didn’t fight for you.”
The sudden change of topic throws me for a loop.
When I keep quiet, she turns her attention back to me. “I didn’t rescue you because you didn’t need rescuing from Viktor. I knew you’d be safe with him.”
I nod, feeling a little awkward. “Viktor has always been good to me.”
A smile curves her lips, and I stare for a moment because she’s really a beautiful woman.
“My mother was a sex trafficker,” she admits. “I watched Alexei kill her.”
Holy shit.
She gives me a look of understanding. “So if you ever need to talk about what happened, I’m here. I’d like to think I can help.”
With my attention one hundred percent focused on her, I ask, “How did you deal with it?”
“I tried to save every person she sold into slavery. It was my way of rebelling and trying to put some good back into the world.” A chuckle escapes her, but it quickly dies away. “There was never any love between my mother and me, unlike with you and your family. Ariana will be able to help you with that. Her brother betrayed her, so I think she’ll be able to connect with you there.”
Wow. It’s actually humbling to hear Isabella and Ariana have their own painful pasts. They’re such powerful women, I never would’ve guessed it. It gives me hope that I can heal from everything that’s happened and make a difference in the world like they do.
“Thank you.” My smile comes easier this time. “I think there’s a lot I can learn from both of you.”
“Are you gossiping without me?” Ariana suddenly says, startling me.
“It’s not gossiping if it’s the truth,” Isabella teases her.
When Ariana sits down, I ask, “Would you like some coffee?”
