Although the boy stayed off to the side, it was clear to Misha that he was Russell's slave. There was a sort of nervous obedience in the boy's stance, that he noticed immediately.
"Pleasure to meet you," he said, nodding to the slave. If they had been pack he would have reached out to take the young man's hand, but among strangers he acknowledged the 'don't touch without asking' rule. Misha was also suddenly aware that his own slave seemed to have gotten off somewhere.
"I'd introduce you to my girl, Bella, but she seems to have wandered off. I've encouraged her to try and make some new friends today. I'm from North Carolina, but she's been living in Italy for the last while."