12. Chapter 12
Victoria had outdone herself with tonight’s presentation, and I was proud of her.
She finished detailing the FamilyWall app presentation, and there were a few more routine discussions.
A hush settled over the room as she turned to Isabella.
My curiosity was suddenly piqued. Was she really going to do it?
“Isabella, would you mind?” She gestured for her to come join her at the front of the room.
Isabella rose, and her hands shook. She dug into her pocket.
Victoria touched her arm. “Marcel sent me the list a few minutes before the meeting started. I’ve added it to the presentation.”
She clicked another button on the remote, and an image appeared. Victoria moved over to the empty chair next to Marcel and sat down. Isabella gulped and turned to face the screen. You could hear a pin drop as everyone’s eyes took in the graphic.
1. Travel to the States and attend Chase’s wedding with Pasha.
2. Give love a solid chance.
3. Lose virginity.
4. Get a new piercing.
5. Participate in Game Night
6. Enroll in University
7. Learn to dance
8. Ride the London Eye
9. Get tarot cards read
10. Take an improv class
11. Learn to drive
12. Enter Art in an Exhibit
13. Climb a mountain
My eyes moved over the list automatically. My eyes were drawn to only thirteen items listed when we discussed fourteen. I frowned but couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.
Her nerves were clear for all of us to see. It was as if she were baring her soul to the entire room. She was exposing herself in a completely new way, and it had to feel raw and vulnerable.
“Okay, so as you know, I was asked to make a list, and here it is. I’ll give you a moment—”
“What in the actual fuck?” Bash bellowed, and the entire room knew exactly what item on the list he had an issue with.
My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I couldn’t blame him. I knew it was a foolish one to put down, but she had insisted. My mind hadn’t changed since she had asked me to write it down.
The room erupted in a flurry of conversation. Marcel was apprehensive, which caused Victoria to be as well. Alek had that look that you’d have to be a mind-reader to know exactly what he was thinking.
Nik looked intrigued, and Ivan was solemn. Kinsley put two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly. Sebastian’s head whipped around.
“I’ve been practicing. I’m getting better, huh?” she asked him.
He was stunned and not by her ability to whistle, but by Isabella’s list, so he simply nodded.
“Thank you Kinsley, Sebastian. If you would take your seat, Isabella is going to go over her list one by one. Save your comments for when she gets to the item you take issue with.” Victoria spoke with authority.
He took his seat. His cheek twitched, and he clenched his jaw so tight it had to have hurt.
Isabella cleared her throat. “Number one is as it states. I’ll be going with Pasha as his plus one to his friend’s wedding.
It’s fake, Sebastian,” she explained. “With Hannah being well…Hannah, he asked, and I said yes. I’ve always wanted to go on a trip abroad and this is an excellent opportunity to do so with my own personal bodyguard in the form of the Russian. ”
Bash snorted as if he didn’t believe a word she said.
“Separate rooms, Dancer,” he growled my way.
I bit back a chuckle. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Isabella moved on quickly. “Two and three somewhat go hand-in-hand and I suppose I should have switched them, but well, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll be doing number three separate from number two.”
“Meaning?” Kinsley asked, sounding confused.
“Well, give love a solid chance. That’s going to take me some time.” Her eyes met Kinsley’s, and an understanding passed between them. It was quickly ruined by Sebastian’s next outburst.
“So you’re going to fuck some stranger?” he exclaimed, raking his hand through his hair.
“I’m twenty-four years old. If I want to fuck five strangers, I can and I will. But rest assured, big brother, I have no plan for that. I don’t tell you where to put your dick, so I’d appreciate the same courtesy. Well, clearly I don’t have one of those, but you understand what I’m saying.”
“This is bullshit. I can’t believe you’re on board with this?” He flung at Marcel.
“Don’t blame me. I asked for a list. I didn’t place parameters other than it needed to make her grow. And it needed to be for her alone. I have reservations as well, but I trust Isabella to do this on her own time.”
“Oh, maybe Michael from the club,” Kinsley mused out loud. Her eyes sought Alek’s for approval.
I couldn’t contain my laughter anymore.
“Shut it, Dancer,” Isabella flared in my direction. “Michael, now which one is he again?” she asked, turning to Kinsley.
Kinsley’s eyes lit up, eager to help. “You know him,” she replied, a smile beaming across her face.
“He resembles what’s that actor’s name…Charlie Hunnam.
He played in lots of things, but most notably, Sons of Anarchy.
He has blond hair and warm, blue eyes. He’s rather dream—hey,” she yelped as Alek reached across the table and dragged her over to his side.
“You trying to get another man fired?” he barked.
“No, Sir. I was just telling Isabella about him…but it was more his gentle, submissive nature that I wanted to really point out. I know she’s not really into that kind of thing. Right? You’re not into that now, are you?”
“No, I’ve not changed my mind,” Isabella intoned dryly. I could tell she was thankful for the distraction.
“Well, that’s okay. You don’t have to be. He would still be a good one to consider. He knows his way around a wom…we can talk more about it later,” she squeaked as Alek once more drew her attention.
Sebastian rose and went to the bar, where he poured himself a tall glass of whiskey.
He mumbled under his breath, and I caught something about Michael.
My own thoughts shifted to him. He was all that Kinsley had described—a good man.
There was no denying it. And yet, as I acknowledged the fact, a sense of unease lingered in the back of my mind, a nagging sensation almost.
“Moving on, I’ve already done number four.” She swiveled her head to the side and proudly pointed to her tiny diamond stud. “Number five.” She grinned and looked at Kinsley. “Is in your honor. Maybe Michael can be my partner—”
“I’ll fucking kill him first. Is that what you want? Blood on your hands?” Sebastian pointed at Isabella.
“Oh, for crying out loud. What is your problem with me becoming sexually active? You’ve been fucking since you were probably a stupid teenager who didn’t even know where it went.”
I laughed loudly as the two of them began a lengthy argument on the topic. They lapsed into Italian, and the words were lost to me, but the intonation was enough for me to know she was giving as well as he was. It was an epic battle between brother and sister.
“Number six,” she yelled, turning away from him completely at one point.
“Finally, one I approve of,” Sebastian muttered.
“It’s not about you,” Marcel warned once more.
He mocked Marcel. “It’s not about you. Except it’s not your sister,” he grumbled.
“Like fucking hell she isn’t,” he fired back.
“Okay, let’s get this back on track, shall we or we’ll be here all night and I do want to tuck my son into bed,” Victoria shouted over their raised voices.
“The rest are simple. Driving will give me more independence. The London Eye and climbing a mountain are clearly addressing my fear of heights. Number seven is so I can surprise Mum and Dad since they always wanted me to take lessons. I thought I could dance at the next ball they have. Number nine is something different, and ten will challenge my comfort zones around strangers. Twelve is to put myself out there in a proper sense.”
I couldn’t help but notice the hint of hesitation and the uncertainty that lingered.
“You did amazing, Bellaruso. Come here,” Marcel called, and she flew over to him.
He rubbed her back, soothing her, and probably whispered words of encouragement. What I wouldn’t give to publicly be the one to offer her solace.
Victoria stood up and stretched, officially ending the meeting. “Kinsley, want to help me with Declan? He apparently can’t sleep now unless you sing him a lullaby. Isabella, you can read to him.”
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll be there before he’s done in the bath. Pasha can we talk for a minute about the trip?” Isabella asked.
Sebastian rose and bolted from the room, muttering in Italian under his breath. The rest of them filtered out in twos and threes until the door clicked shut and it was just us. She didn’t come toward me. Instead, she drifted toward the table with the refreshments.
“Want anything?” she asked.
“I’m good.”
She nodded. Why was she stalling? My nerves grew tenfold. Was she going to change her mind? Fuck. She adjusted the cookies, picked up a brownie.
“Bella,” I called quietly.
She paused, shoulders tense, and glanced back at me.
“There were supposed to be fourteen.”
Her jaw tightened just enough to confirm it. “I know.”
I waited her out. She exhaled, eyes dropping briefly before lifting to mine again.
“There are,” she said. “I just…I’m not ready to put it on the list. And I didn’t want to put one more random thing on there just to get to that number.”
“Makes sense. But does this mean whatever it is, you’re not sure you want to do it?” I asked.
Her lips pressed together. A flicker of uncertainty passed through her. “It’s not that. I’m uncertain it is workable. I’m still researching.”
“Whatever it is, you don’t have to add it. The list isn’t meant to corner you.”
A faint smile ghosted across her mouth. “I know and if I’m being honest, that’s not what scares me.”
So she was scared. “What does, then?”
She held my gaze for almost a full minute. There was a mix of vulnerability and stubbornness warring behind her eyes.
“That I want to do it. That I need to do it and that it might not work out. Managing my expectations. It’s a whole ass thing for me.”
Well, call me intrigued. I was dying to know what the hell it could be.
“Are you going to share it with me?”
“Not yet. But I promise I will the minute I’m ready.”
I nodded once. Fair. “Okay, then as your accountability partner here, I say we can come back to it. All I ask is that you don’t blindside me.”
A flicker of amusement returned. “No promises.”
She turned toward the door.
“Bella.”
She stopped again. I crossed the space this time. It was habit in this house. When someone left a room, you reached for them. A touch, a kiss on the head, something grounding. I rested my hand on the back of her neck and pressed a brief kiss to the crown of her head.
There was nothing sensual or charged in it. My chest tightened anyway. She leaned into it for half a second before stepping away.
“Don’t overthink it,” she murmured.
Too late. She slipped out, leaving the door ajar. I stood there longer than necessary, staring at the empty space she’d occupied.