Page 78 of Filthy Elites

“Who’s in there?” Isabelle asks.

“Remember when I told you I wanted you to be ready in case Juan ever came after you?”

Her face becomes pale and her eyes bug out. “Yes.”

“I’ve asked Reid to come in this morning to teach you some aikido moves. He’s a black belt.”

Her jaw drops. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

I rub my neck. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to come.”

Her expression is still pinched, so I’m not sure if she’s mad or not.

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t worry. He doesn’t know the reason.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“Then why do you look like you’re about to bust my balls?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not angry at you. I’m surprised and… touched.” She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me softly on the lips.

“Good.” I rest my hand on her hip and rub my thumb over the patch of exposed skin. Isabelle’s eyes become hooded in a flash.

Jesus fucking Christ, Jason. Now is not the time to sex her up.

“We’d better go in. Reid has been waiting for over an hour,” I say.

“Great. I hope he doesn’t take that out on me.”

Reid is giving the punching bag hell when we walk in. He sees us, but he’s in the middle of a set of movements—or maybe he just wants to show off. He finishes his set with a roundhouse kick that’s almost too fast to follow. Maybe I should get some lessons as well.

“Whoa,” Isabelle blurts out.

Reid wipes off the sweat from his forehead and says, “Hello.”

“I’m sorry we’re late. I had no idea Jason had planned this session with you,” she replies.

“I figured as much.” He flips his gaze to mine, revealing his annoyance.

“Fair warning, I’ve never done martial arts,” Isabelle continues.

Reid’s gaze softens. “It’s okay. I’ll go easy on you. We’re starting with the basics today. But I’ll need a volunteer to demonstrate the moves.”

He looks at me again and grins. His eyes glint with mischief.Fuck.

“Jason, if you’d be so kind to join me on the tatami.”

Ah hell. Here comes payback.

ChapterThirty-Two

Nicola/Isabelle

The training sessionwith Reid was interesting. I don’t think I could perform any of the moves he taught me yet, but it was a start. All I know is that Reid made Jason pay for being late. When Monday morning comes, he’s still limping.

“Are you okay?” I ask when he can’t keep up with my pace.

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