Page 24 of Found By Him

Jack smiles wide and tells him, “I can’t wait to learn from the best.”

Frank preens at Jack’s words, and I’m touched by how kind Jack is and how he is treating some of my favorite people.

I lean into Jack and whisper, “He never wins.”

Jack chuckles. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer. His lips press to the side of my head in a quick kiss before releasing me, but his hand doesn’t go far. It settles on my thigh under the table as the letters and numbers start being called. I love the feel of his hands on me. Even the casual touches have my skin tightening in exhilaration.

We spend the next hour playing numerous rounds of bingo. Frank becomes more frustrated as he repeatedly gets close but loses. Dorothy and I try to disguise our amusement while attempting to comfort him. This happens almost every time we play bingo.

“B3.”

We’re on our last round when Jack shifts in his seat next to me.

I lean into his side and let out a little gasp when I see his card. Lightly slapping his thigh, I raise my hand to point out that he has the letter-number combo called to give him a bingo. He turns in his seat and widens his eyes at me, his head shaking almost imperceptibly before cutting his eyes in Frank’s direction.

My lips part in surprise.

He’s…not winning because he doesn’t want to make Frank feel bad?

I close my eyes for a moment, emotional at the tender gesture.

His deep chuckle lingers around us. As his large hand squeezes my thigh tight, he says in a low voice, so only I hear him, “You’re adorable.”

Once I recover, I give him a watery, appreciative smile. He returns it with an equally warm one.

After a few more numbers are called, someone yellsBingofrom the other side of the room.

Frank lets out a frustrated noise as he tosses his dabber down. “Well, Jack, it looks like no beginner’s luck for you tonight.” He gives him a stern look. “I won last week, so I hope you’re not a bad luck charm for me.”

Jack wraps his arm around my chair as he sits back. “I sure hope I’m not too, Frank.”

We stay to help clean up, and I spend most of that time watching Jack flirt with the women, who giggle like schoolgirls and shake the hands of the men. Every interaction weaves even deeper into my heart.

When we return to his vehicle and are heading back to my condo, I want to express my gratitude for today, not just for the past couple of hours, but all of it, really. I open my mouth to attempt to put into words how much it all means to me, when a ringing sounds through the speakers. I glance down at the screen.

Carlos Martinez

Before Jack answers, he says, “This is the detective I told you about. He’s also a friend of mine.”

I nod as he pushes the screen to answer the call. “Carlos, you’re on speakerphone in my car. Gisella is here with me.”

“Got it. Hi, Gisella.” The deep voice addresses me.

“You can call me Ella. But hi.”

“Okay, will do. I had some time free up earlier than I thought and wanted to see if you were available for me to come by now.”

Jack glances at me, and I give him a tense nod. I’m not looking forward to this conversation, but I’m still hopeful it will help. “Yeah, we’ll be back at her place in about ten minutes.”

“Great, see you then.” Carlos disconnects.

My stomach is in knots, making me miss the butterflies from earlier.

Jack reaches over and captures my hand, intertwining our fingers. “Everything will be okay. We’ll find out who this is. I promise you.”

I try my best to give him a confident smile, but I know it’s lacking. He doesn’t push me, though. He squeezes my hand lightly and rests our clasped hands on my thigh, his silent strength permeating me through the contact.

“Ella,thank you for providing all of this information.” Carlos gives me a sympathetic smile. “I know this is scary. But you have some of the best in the business looking out for you. And I’ll do everything I can to find out who’s doing this.”

---