Page 44 of Dust to Dust

She grinned. “I didn’t want to come across too cocky.”

“As long as your husband won’t give me shit, you’re welcome to start your mission.”

“He won’t. We’ve already discussed it.”

“In or out of the bedroom?” Dare teased.

While Isla gasped, Caterina merely smacked Dare’s arm playfully. “I think instead of Owen, you can accompany me to mass this week.”

With a wink, Dare replied, “Not happening, Sister Sassy.”

Caterina turned her attention to Isla. “Would you go with me to talk to the girls?”

“Sure. I’d be happy to.”

“See you later, gentleman,” Caterina said.

After she fell in step behind Caterina, Isla threw a glance at me over her shoulder. “I hope you enjoy the soup.”

“I’m sure I will. Thank you for bringing it to me.”

“You’re welcome.” After wiggling goodbye with her fingers at me, Isla followed Caterina out of my office door.

As I stared down at the soup, I realized I was in so much fucking trouble.

Chapter Ten: Isla

As Caterina and I entered the elevator, I fought to keep my nerves in check. The last thing I’d ever expected was for her to ask my opinion of her idea, least of all for her to ask for my help. Considering she was my boss’s sister-in-law, I wanted her to like me.

Oh who was I kidding? She was the sister-in-law of the man I was confused about having growing feelings for. That fact made me pinch my lips together so I wouldn’t ramble and make a fool out of myself.

As the door closed, she turned to me with a smile. “Quinn is quite a man, isn’t he?”

“Um, well, I haven’t known him long, but yes, he is.”

“I’m sure at first, he can come across as standoffish.”

“A little,” I lied.

“Mostly like a brute.”

An anxious laugh tumbled from my lips. “He’s more like a beast. At least that’s what some of the girls call him. I like to think of him like the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. You know, he’s all grumpy and wants to be alone, but when it really comes down to it, he can be very kind and considerate.”

Oh no. My nerves had overtaken me and run away with my tongue. With wide-eyed horror, I stared at Caterina. When she burst out laughing, I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.

The elevator doors popped open, and I reluctantly followed Caterina into the hallway. “How have I never seen it before? He is totally the Beast.”

Shaking my head, I argued, “No, no. I shouldn’t have said that.”

She waved a hand at me. “I called him a brute.”

“But you’re his family. I’m just a dancer who works at his club, and I insulted my boss.”

“Oh I'd wager you’re a lot more to him than that.”

When my boots froze to the hardwood floors, Caterina continued walking on ahead. After realizing I was no longer at her side, she whirled around. “Isla?”

I shook my head to try and shake me out of my stupor. “Um, sorry. You just shocked me.”

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