Should I ask when he last saw her? Was he here when she left? Was she alone or with someone else?
I’m close, much closer to answers than Alice has ever been. No one in the family will talk to her.
They probably wouldn’t tell me much, either.
But Noah’s not like the others. He grew up somewhere else, somewhere sheltered from the lifestyle of Maison Marteau. Protected from the privilege that created a creep like Ric.
He has different values, his own moral code, unsullied by the corrupting influence of wealth.
Can I trust him?
Rubbing my hands on my thighs, I sit up straight. “Were you here when she?—”
Laughter cuts through the moment.
We both turn our heads.
Noah crosses to the window and shoves the curtain aside. “We’ve got company.”
16
The taste of coffee lingers on my tongue as I look over Noah’s shoulder. Luci is in the courtyard, holding the hand of a man I don’t recognize.
She leans into him, smiling up into his face.
He takes a step back.
Noah sighs and turns to me. “Guess we’d better go save him.”
Together, we go out and follow the walkway around the corner. “André,” Noah calls, lifting a hand in greeting.
Luci has her fingers curled around the man’s bicep, practically swooning, but her face lights up even more when she sees me. “Brooke, hi.” She stands on her tiptoes and waves.
Noah introduces me to André and says, “You didn’t tell me you were coming by.”
André lifts a shoulder. “I was in the neighborhood.” His French accent is thick—smooth, lyrical, charming. He nods at me with an affable grin, and I can see why Luci has a crush.
“André lives across the park,” Noah explains to me. “He’s always in the neighborhood.”
“And aren’t you glad?” André soft-punches Noah’s arm.
Luci beams at the tall Frenchman. “Well, I’m happy he’s here. But I’ll be even happier if he agrees to come with me.”She presses against André, mouth pouting and eyes pleading. “Please?”
André tilts his head back. “Oh là là.”
“What’s going on?” Noah furrows his brow, glancing between the two.
Luci practically vibrates with excitement. “I invited André toLa Danse des Monstres.”
“She’s trying to convince me,” André says, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea.” He looks down at Luci, expression serious. “You are too young for me.”
Luci waves off his concern. “We won’t be alone. All of my family will be there. Noah included.”
André’s brows shoot up. “You were actually invited?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Noah laughs, clearly unfazed.
“Sorry,” I finally break in. “Can someone explain?”
