“But you love this house. You love the beach. Seeing you like this?—“
She pinches me lightly. I grunt in surprise and she glares. “I said, it’s not happening. You seriously think I’m going to let you go toPariswithout me?”
“It’s for your own safety. After I’m a Dragon, you can have a whole damn Parisian city block for yourself if that’s what you want.”
“I’m coming.” She leans back against my chest, kissing me lightly. “End of discussion.”
I should fight her harder. If I were a better man, I’d chain her to the fucking bed and command my men to keep her there until this is all over.
But the idea of going through this hell without her by my side is too much. I have to know she’s safe, have to know she’s okay, and I’ll lose my mind if I’m half a world away from her right now.
“You’re going to be bored out of your mind,” I say reluctantly.
She pats my side. “Doubt that.”
CHAPTER 23
NIKA
Iknow we’re not on vacation. Gabe’s locked in a life-or-death struggle against my cousin and I’m caught in the middle. We’re here on business, to fight for our lives, butcome on, it’s freaking Paris.
My life’s always been so small. I think that was on purpose: my father’s men kept me in a box, made sure I was provided for enough to keep me going, but never enough to let me thrive. Me and Aunt Yelena took modest vacations over the years, mostly to the beach. We visited the Grand Canyon once when I was twelve, which was beautiful, but my father’s men were waiting for us when we got back, and there weren’t any more big trips like that one ever again.
I’m sheltered. I know it. Which is exactly why I can’t help but gawk around and act like a tourist as Gabe drives me through the Paris streets.
“This is unbelievable,” I say breathlessly, my face practically shoved against the window. “Look at those shops! And all the people!”
“You really love it here, don’t you?”
“I mean, it’s incredible. It’s Paris!”
He fights a smile. “It’s dirty, expensive, and over-crowded.”
“Sure, sure, butParis.”
Gabe puts a hand on my thigh. I think he’s about to tell me to calm down, we have actual work to do, but instead he leans forward and speaks quietly to the driver. “Let us off over there. Tell Daniel and his team to stay tight. We’re going to walk for a bit.”
“Yes, sir.”
I practically moan with excitement as we climb out of the car. The city smells like car exhaust, motor oil, baking bread, and pollen. Gabe loops a hand through my arm and pulls me along as the driver quietly shadows us, ignoring the other motorists when they fly around him.
The streets are packed with people. I don’t know what part of the city we’re in, but I get the feeling it’s not the most touristy spot. But that makes me love it even more. There are little cafes with people sitting outside, drinking coffees, talking animatedly, looking like folks anywhere but also fifty-percent cooler because we’re inParis.
I feel like such a fool, but I don’t care. “Oh my god, look at that!” I point at a little restaurant, a black sign with gold writing and teal walls. “And all those flowers over there!” Red explodes from a window box. Someone shouts nearby and Gabe moves closer protectively.
“You really haven’t traveled much, have you?”
“Sorry we can’t all be so worldly.”
He pulls me toward a cafe and sits me down at an empty table. “Stay here. Don’t move.”
“Wait, where—" But he disappears inside before I can stop him.
I sit back with a huff, but soon I’m too busy people watching to care. Everything here is familiar but different. The cars are smaller, the people are better-dressed, even the trash seems more glamorous. That’s probably my Paris-tinted glasses, but I can’t help myself. I’m gushing, doing my best not to come off like a total idiot, and mostly failing.
This is the world I’ve been denied all my life. I know it’s a city street and not really all that special, but it’s more about what this place represents. This isfreedomin a way I never really understood or knew I wanted. This place is another way of living, these people so different from what I’ve always thought was theright way, and it’s almost freaking me out.
Gabe returns a minute later. He’s got two small pastries, flaky dough with chocolate on top, and two strong coffees. I drink and eat, trying not to let myself laugh at howgoodeverything is.
