“Because the company is Margot’s passion.It’s not mine.”
“And now…what?You want to enter the game of secrets?”
It’s a tough sell.I was born into money; and therefore, I’ve never been starved for it.“I don’t like being screwed over by a man who professed loyalty.I could’ve let him go three years ago when I acquired the business, but I gave him a chance—and he squandered that chance.I can never trust him.I’m not keeping him in my employment.Margot said that’s what’s required of me.I won’t do it.I refuse.Let me meet Moira.I want a different arrangement.”
“She’s in Paris.”
I don’t mention that KOAN already tracked her to Paris.“Then that’s where I’ll go.”
“I’ll call her and send you the details.”
“Thank you.”I look directly into Brie’s eyes and smile.Finding Moira would be challenging and time consuming, but Dad is making this easy.My plan is going to work.“And Dad, I love you.”
“Christ, Adrien.You sound like you’re saying goodbye.”
“Just...take care of Mom.And keep your eyes open.”
“Don’t make me regret this son.”
The call ends, and for a long second, I inhale deeply, fending off the guilt of playing my father.Brie places both of her hands over mine.Without my saying a word, she understands.I’ll help track her extortionist.And Eddie will be fired.But there are risks.Even if the meeting with Moira goes well, there will likely be consequences.
“You’re doing the right thing.”She says it because she knows I need to hear it.
With an exhale, I drink her in.She’s lovely, beautiful, but I’ve known plenty of beautiful women.What I’ve never had is this—someone who ignores notoriety.Intelligence, independence, integrity; she’s far more than a pretty face.Trite but true.I’m falling for her—or, I suppose, I fell for her our first weekend together.I want her in my life, by my side, long after this episode is behind us.
“Are you having second thoughts about walking into the lion’s den?”she asks, studying my expression with intent.
“It’s better than letting the lion come hunting in my territory.”I lift her hands and interlace our fingers.“Besides, I’ll have backup.”
“One former CIA operative against an international intelligence broker?”
“The best former CIA operative.”The smile I give her is more confident than I feel.“And I’m counting on my charm.”
Her laugh is soft, thin with worry.“Your charm won’t stop a bullet.”
“Maybe not,” I say, squeezing her fingers.“But I’m not walking away.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Brie
The suite smells faintly of bergamot and fresh linen, like calm made tangible—a cocooned hush settling around us, the faint creak of polished floorboards beneath my boots.I set my overnight bag beside the door, unsure whether to exhale or keep the armor on.
Paris hums through the windows.Distant horns, a scatter of laughter, a song from somewhere down the street.The atmosphere feels different here, lighter, though my mind hasn’t caught up with my body’s arrival.
Adrien stands at the window, shirt unbuttoned at the throat, sleeves rolled, the city lights cutting sharp angles across him.He hasn’t said much since we landed.Silence suits him when he’s calculating outcomes, but tonight it feels like distance.I think he’s still carrying the weight of that phone call, the gravity of what waits for us tomorrow.
I remove the gun I packed—something I could easily do as we flew on a private plane—and place it on the console table.The metallic click fractures the quiet—an indecent sound in a room built for intimacy and candlelight.He glances over his shoulder but says nothing.The lamp beside him gilds the planes of his face in warm gold, softening everything that makes him appear untouchable.
“Are we really doing this your way?”
“It’s a solid plan.”
“If your father follows through… what happens to Eddie?”
He exhales through his nose, a small, tired laugh.“He loses his job.No matter what, he’s out.And my father will follow through.He always does.Eventually—but not necessarily in the way you expect.”There’s no hint of reservation.He’s set.Determined.
I smile, faint.“That sounds familiar.”
