I nod to myself, already thinking about how I'm going to do it. I need to do this for her. My gut tells me that there's something here. Something important.
I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts that, at first, I don't realize Daisy is standing next to me. I look up at her.
'What is it?' I ask.
'Nothing,' she says, just standing next to me.
My lips curl up into a small smile that I don’t let her see. She clearly wants my attention, so I make it easy for her. I scooch out my chair and grab her, plonking her on my lap, wrapping my arms around her, and smelling her. Even though it's been almost twenty-four hours, I still can't get over the fact that she's here, that we have her back, and that she's safe. I hold her carefully, breathing her in.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and take it out.
Sauvage. I frown at the name.
'What does he want with me?' I say aloud to myself.
'What is it?' Daisy asks.
'Frenchie wants me to go to his office.'
She squeezes me and gives me a quick kiss on the lips before getting up. I’d let the asshole wait, but clearly our girlhas a soft spot for him too. I sigh and heave myself to my feet.
‘Fine,’ I mumble. ‘Back in a minute.’
I take the penthouse elevator down to his floor. As the door to his office opens, I see that Sauvage is behind his desk as usual. He looks grim.
'You wanted to see me?' I ask, neglecting to voice the other thing that I was going to say, which waswhy the fuck are you summoning me? I don't fucking work for you, asshole.
Sauvage doesn’t mince words. 'I have received news that you no longer work for Monsieur Kormak.'
My stomach drops.
'He sold the debt,' I say quietly, sinking down into one of the chairs in front of the desk.
'Oui,' Sauvage says. 'I only know because I've had ears to the ground regarding this matter.'
'Why?' I ask, feeling confused. 'Why do you care?'
'I do not,’ he snorts. ‘But ma petite fleur does, and so I will run through these motions to ensure that what she adores, ses objets de valeurher valuables, stay safe. Well, as much as I can when her valuables are garçons incompetentsincompetent boys.'
'I'm a valuable?' I ask, quirking a brow and ignoring the fact that he thinks me and my friends are incompetent kids.
'Oui. To ma petite fleur. You are. Like une babiolea bauble.'
'So, who owns me now?' I sneer, almost not wanting to hear the answer.
Pierre Sauvage purses his lips.
'It is not good news for you, I am afraid, Monsieur Blake. It is Mariana Reyes.'
My stomach turns. I feel sick. I’ve heard of her.Everyone who spends time in the Richmond underbelly has.
'The cartel queen,’ I say faintly.
Fuck.
'Oui. I have heard that you will be asked to meet with their representatives soon. You will be given a task. A test.'
Pierre Sauvage sighs.
