“Won’t he, if it fits his narrative?”
She shakes her head, as if confused and not sure how to proceed.
“You’re carrying my baby, so I’ll keep you safe, but only then. And it won’t be a pleasant stay.” I shake my head. “I need to get out of here.”
I watch as her eyes shutter and close. She shuts down completely.
“You know what?Don’tbelieve me. Maybe I don’t believe you, either. Maybe you only wanted me because I’m carrying your child.” Her voice breaks at the end. Angrily, she swipes at the tears that fall down her cheeks.
“Atta girl,” I mutter.
The look of betrayal she gives me almost makes me cave. But I won’t be taken in, and I won’t let her sway me now. I have to pull away from her. There are no other choices.
My phone rings. The last time this fucking phone rang, I got the worst news imaginable. Now, to think?—
“What?” I snap.
It’s Philippe. “The woman you had me call is here, sir.”
I hold Cosette’s gaze. “Send her up.”
I hang up the phone and we stare at each other for long minutes in silence. “You don’t have to believe me,” she says. “And I’m glad you’re being honest with me. Because you’ve told me everything I need to know.”
“Oh, have I?” I want to shake her. I want to put her over my knee and spank her until she begs for mercy. I want to kiss her and fuck her hard and demandingly, to punish her for what she’s done.
To think, I almost trusted her?—
There’s a knock at the door.
“What?” I snap. She winces.
“Philippe, sir. Is she ready?”
I stare at her.
“Get in the bathroom and put some fucking clothes on. I’m out of here. I’ll have Philippe bring you to your new apartment. I’ll see you tonight and we’ll talk about the new rules we have.”
She slams the door to the bathroom.
I slam the bedroom door behind me.
I don’t miss the note of finality.
I’mdeep in my head when I hit the streets of Paris.
Normally, I’d check my weapons and scan the exits and make sure Cosette is fucking safe before I step foot out of this place.
But this time… I can’t.
Because Cosette actually did betray us.
All this time, she knew who her father was. She knew we were being hunted by local politicians and she didn’t say a thing.
I close my eyes and shake my head.
And I fell for it.
I fell for it,like a goddamn sycophant. She told me she was carrying my baby, and I lost all sense of reason.
