“No.” She reaches across and takes my hand. “I’m excited. Is that weird?”
“Not weird.”
We talk for most of the flight in a way we haven’t since Vegas. She tells me she’s scared of losing herself in my world. Of becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.
I tell her I’m terrified of losing her to Dmitri. Of failing to protect her the way I protected Alexi.
She asks about the baby. Whether I’m ready to be a father again. I admit that I’m scared but excited. That having a child with her feels right in a way nothing else has.
By the time we land in Paris, we’re on the same page.
The Hotel Plaza Athénée is where we’re staying. All ornate ceilings and crystal chandeliers, the kind of luxury that most people only see in movies. Our suite overlooks the Eiffel Tower, and Savannah stands at the window for ten minutes just staring.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathes.
“Wait until you see it at night.”
The business dinner is at a restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. The Mercier Group brings six people: three investors and their wives. I make introductions, and Savannah charms them immediately.
She speaks passable French, which I didn’t know. Compliments the wives on their style. Asks about their lives, their children, their interests. Within twenty minutes, she’s got all three women laughing and talking to her like she’s an old friend.
Meanwhile, I’m negotiating with their husbands. Terms, timelines, profit projections. Standard business talk. But I keep glancing over at Savannah, watching her work.
By the end of dinner, she’s collected enough intel to give me a significant advantage in negotiations.
I think I hit a jackpot with this one.
19
SAVANNAH
The suite isquiet when we get back from dinner, just the soft hum of the city below and the glow of the Eiffel Tower through the windows.
I kick off my heels and sink onto the couch with a satisfied sigh. My feet are killing me, but I feel amazing.
Ledger pours himself a whiskey at the bar, then brings me a sparkling water without me having to ask. He sits beside me, close enough that our legs touch.
“You were incredible tonight,” he says.
“You already told me that in the car.”
“I’m telling you again.” He sets down his glass and turns to face me. “Do you know what you did out there?”
“I talked to some women about their kids and fashion?”
“You did more than that. You found out that Margot’s husband listens to her opinions on business decisions. You learned that Claire’s family has connections to two other hotel chains we’re competing against. And you got Sophie to admit that herhusband is worried about the renovation timeline.” He’s looking at me like I’m some kind of genius. “You gathered intelligence without them even realizing it. That’s not just being charming.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “I was just being friendly.”
“You were being brilliant. And you enjoyed it, didn’t you?”
He’s right. I did enjoy it. The conversation, the challenge of reading people, and the satisfaction of learning useful information while making genuine connections.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I did. It was actually fun.”
“Because you’re good at it. You’re a natural.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
My phone buzzes on the coffee table. I glance at it and smile. “It’s Alexi.”
