There are no mountains in Paris, the majesty of nature’s hand exchanged for the ingenuity of man’s. There are none in New York or London. It’s only when I’m here or back in Switzerland that I can see them, their grace and their deadliness, and the nightmares increase in intensity.
And yet I always feel better when I see them. When I’mreminded of why I carry the guilt I do, why I let it ride me like a bull rider with a whip.
My ribs still hurt when I breathe too deep. Usually I welcome the faint twinge of pain, but now it reminds me that Paige noticed me leaving. I promised her celibacy in exchange for her own, which wasn’t a hard deal to make. It’s based on her misreading.
But I’ll have to be far more circumspect the next time I leave to fight.
It’s been a long time since I had to answer to anyone.
By mid-afternoon, I’ve worked through several calls with my executive team and two meetings. I’m drafting an email to my executive assistant when my phone rings.
Few people have direct access to that number.
A quick glance tells me it’s my banker. “Good afternoon,” I say in French.
“Mr. Montclair,” Camille says. “I hope I’m not disturbing you, but we’re seeing some unusual activity on your card.”
“Let me guess. It’s being used in Milan?”
“Yes, across a variety of stores. Granted, they are mostly stores you own through Maison Valmont.”
“Good.”
She pauses for a breath. “The sums are significantly higher than you normally spend. Can I assume this is nothing out of the ordinary?”
“Oh, it’s very much out of the ordinary. I have a new wife,” I say dryly, “and she has the card for the day.”
Camille laughs politely. “I see. Do you want us to enforce a limit?”
“No.”
There’s another faint pause. “Are you certain, Mr. Montclair? The amount is already far exceeding your usual?—”
“I’m sure.”
“There is a purchase you might want to be aware of,” sheadds. “It was at a place we’d… well. I would hate to overstep.”
I run a hand over my face. My life has become absurd.“Tell me.”
“There’s been a charge of two-thousand-euros in a store called… We ran the translation from Italian.The Divine Spirit of the Flesh.I believe she’s also paid the deposit on a…”
“You can say it.”
“A penis enlargement treatment.”
Despite it all, my lips tug. Of course she wants to embarrass me. Game recognizes game. “I see.”
“Still no limit, sir?”
“No limit,” I say. To do that would be to lose the little duel we’re engaged in here, Paige and I. And I’m not going to cede a point to her.
She’s a tennis player, after all. I play too. And I’m not losing this set.
After we hang up, I send a single text to Paige. Our conversations have been brief before this, with only a few short, logistical texts. The last one was from me, while sitting and waiting for her on the jet.
Rafe
I assume you’re just getting started? This barely stings.
