Page 11 of Alex

Chapter Six

The last thirty-sixhours had been a rollercoaster of emotions for Evelyn. Pain, grief, happiness, desire, and anger to name a few. She had run the gamut and it left her feeling exhausted.

After arriving at her friend Mariam’s flat above Café Belle Vie, she and Alex had put in calls to their teams. Her to Roz to let her know what had happened. Roz had lost her cool on the phone as Evelyn knew she would. Roz was a tough operator, probably the most lethal female assassin ever known, but those that knew her well also knew she had a soft side. If she loved you or classed you as one of her own then she would die before allowing anyone to threaten you. Every single person who worked for Zenobi became like family, especially to Roz. She was the patriarch, and despite her horrific past she had a huge capacity for love and treated her girls with the protective nature of a mother hen—albeit a mother hen who could kill a man with a hair tie and not flinch.

Most of the girls had found themselves in a world of trouble before Roz had found them and given them a way out, hope, family and future that most knew they wouldn’t have without her.

After calming her boss down, Evelyn had requested a new go-bag be delivered. They arranged for it to be left in a locker at the car hire place in Courchevel 1850. She agreed to contact her when she got to Paris.

Alex had called Jack and after a much briefer conversation which she hadn’t heard, had declared they were moving to his private residence in Paris. Evelyn had baulked at his telling her what to do but had eventually conceded. She knew once they were in Paris she could do whatever she wanted, and he wouldn’t be able to stop her.

They had arrived in Paris an hour earlier after picking up a car and her new gear which was precisely where Roz said it would be. She and Alex had shared the driving, for her part she had used the time to study the man he had become. Alex had always been jaw-droppingly gorgeous, now he was panty-dropping gorgeous but with the added edge of sex appeal that came from the dangerous vibe that seemed to emanate from him.

He had changed a lot in the fifteen years they had been apart. The softness of the boy had hardened leaving a man who called to her on every level. She knew he had done the same to her—studying her as she drove. Evelyn couldn’t help but wonder what he had seen when he looked at her. Her changes were not only on the surface. The girl she had been was gone, buried underneath experiences and memories. Some she wished she could change and others she cherished.

Now Alex was driving, moving through the traffic towards the Left Bank area of the city.

“Where are we going?” she asked as the early morning sun rose over Paris turning the sky a stunning peachy-blush-mauve colour that made Evelyn itch to grab her paint pallet in an attempt to recreate it. The feeling was so foreign it startled her for a second. She hadn’t painted in so long she wasn’t even sure she could any more.

“We’re going to my apartment,” Alex replied snapping her from her thoughts as his deep voice caressed over her.

“You live in Paris?” She turned in her seat towards him her interest piqued.

He glanced at her. “Yes, on the Left Bank. Bon Marche to be exact.”

His words hit her square in the chest as the air seemed to dissipate from the car.

She knew Alex could see the effect his words had on her as she sucked in a breath.

His voice was gentle as he reached his hand to caress her cheek with a whisper soft touch. “Evelyn.”

Evelyn fought the desire to lean into his touch, instead she pulled herself together with an iron will. “Wow, that’s fabulous but why are you taking me there?” Evelyn made sure to keep her voice calm despite the emotion swimming through her.

The Left Bank was their dream destination as youngsters. They had lain on the bank of the river near her home and talked about how they would live on the Left Bank. She would paint and he would open a Patisserie close by or open his own restaurant. The fact that Alex had fulfilled a part of his dream hurt more than she’d ever thought possible.

“It is the safest place to lay low until we figure out what’s going on.” He spoke calmly but with a hint of steel in his voice as if he was ready for her argument.

“Okay,” she replied because although she had no intention of staying with Alex it was too painful having her memories raked over wounds she’d thought healed but now she realised were only dormant waiting for the right time to bleed.

“Okay?” He seemed surprised at her capitulation.

“Yes, you’re right. It probably is the safest place for now,” she said glancing at him.

Alex threw his head back and laughed. It was thick, sexy and so familiar. “You still can’t lie to me. No matter how much you might have changed, that hasn’t,” he said as he pulled into an underground parking garage and killed the engine.

Evelyn frowned and pursed her lips at his hilarity directed at her. “Still so cocky,” she snapped. She crossed her arms and glared at him in an unspoken challenge to laugh again.

Alex said nothing but exited the vehicle and moved to her as she did the same. Taking her bag from her which made her scowl at him, he led her to the elevator that was accessed by a thumbprint. The doors slid open and he followed her inside hitting the button for the top floor as he did. Being in an enclosed space with Alex made her feel like she couldn’t take a breath without smelling his scent or feeling him close. Her skin prickled with sensation and he wasn’t even touching her.

“If I recall,” he said softly so close to her ear that she shivered, “you quite liked my cock-y,”

Evelyn was saved from answering by the doors opening on his apartment. Alex stepped past her and Evelyn followed taking in the most beautiful apartment she had ever seen. It was her dream home. The living space was completely open with an L-shaped couch to the left, a glass coffee table in front, and cream area rug which covered the pale oak wood flooring. A further table to the left of the couch held a lamp in matt silver. A floor to ceiling window was beside the couch and an abstract print on the wall separated that from sliding doors which led to a balcony.

Directly in front of her was a glass dining table, and behind that, one wall was taken with sliding glass doors that also led to the balcony. She could imagine sitting there in the summer with the doors completely open enjoying a glass of wine. Evelyn stepped forward and her eyes caught on the right side of the room where an open plan kitchen was set back facing the dining room and living room, units sat between the space with a breakfast bar on top, stools tucked neatly under. She could imagine Alex there cooking while he chatted with friends or a lover.

The wall closest to her on the right before the kitchen was inset with shelves covered in books. Alex had always loved to read, and she was happy to see he had kept up with that. Off from there she could see a hallway that led to what she guessed were the bedrooms and bathroom.

“Wow, Alex, this place is amazing! How long have you lived here?” she asked moving closer to the balcony, her hand skimming over the glass table reverently.