Could’ve maybe sent someone unattractive.
Am I jealous? Why would I be jealous of a woman I don’t know? Why do I care what Fabien thinks? She isn’t his girlfriend or anyone even remotely important to him.
She’s just someone paid to do a job.
My heart sinks when I think… just like me.
I have to protect my heart. I can’t fall for him.
I already have.
I stifle the sudden need to cry because I’m not worth anything to him. I’m a means to an end and nothing more.
I should be with someone who will protect me.
The sudden rush of a thought hammers at my resolve.
He will.
Savannah needs me.
Savannah.
I’ll have to check in on her the second we’ve accomplished this mission.
Do it for Savannah.
Our footsteps echo on the pavement as we approach. Trained well for fulfilling this job, she barely even raises an eyebrow. A large leather bag’s slung over her shoulder.
When she sees me, she doesn’t move except to shift her eyes to Fabien beside me.
Oh yeah, bitch?
He’s mine.
When we’re only paces away, I tug his hand that’s threaded through mine. My heart thumps.
“Ah, there you are,” she says in French.
“Bonjour!” I take both of her hands and look up at her, since she’s so much taller than I am.Remember your job.
“Left hand,” she whispers in my ear as a small velvet bag slips against my palm. I lean in as planned and, as a wave of perfume hits me, kiss her left cheek then her right. Her sudden warmth and charm make me wish I knew her better. Who is she that she does what Thayer commands? Is she a—what did Fabien call it—consensual slave, then? She looks so strong and powerful, it’s hard for me to understand how anyone like her could ever grant her total trust to a man like Thayer.
“Merci beaucoup.”
Just as quickly as she greeted me, she lets me go and Fabien takes my place.
“Au revoir,” she purrs. All around us, pedestrians come and go. Some enter through the door behind me and some go up a set of steps. No one seems to look our way.
Fabien snaps his fingers at me. “Nicolette.”
Did he just snap his fingers at me? I open my mouth to protest, when I remember.
I’m his slave now.
We’re in disguise.
This starts now.
