Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
The wheels roll smoothly on the road and silence descends on the three of us. It’s suddenly so eerily peaceful, I clear my throat just to hear a sound.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Thayer asks Fabien.
“That for the safety of everyone we shut La Maison down? Yes.”
I blink. Shut down La Maison?
What’s happening here? It feels as if the very ground beneath my feet’s being ripped out from under me.
“Where would they go?” I ask, which sounds like a silly question even to my own ears. “I mean, I know there are other places, but none have the reputation La Maison does.”
Because none of the other brothels have Fabien.
Fabien and Thayer exchange a look.
“No,” I say. “Fabien, not every woman there would want to… to become a slave like… like that…”
“And that’s their decision, not yours,” Thayer says.
Fabien looks at him sharply. “Watch it.”
“Watch what?”
“The way you talk to her. You might be two hundred pounds of solid muscle, but you’re still my younger brother.”
“Boys, boys,” I say. “We have a job to do.”
Fabien and Thayer glare at each other. I have a sudden rush of sympathy for Avril, having to raise not one, not two, but three apparent gorillas.
“That we do,” Fabien says. “Have you gotten in touch with your sister?”
I shake my head. “No, not yet, but I’ll keep trying.”
Thayer looks out the window and purses his lips. I feel as if they’re hiding something big from me, but we don’t have time to discuss it, because time is ticking, and we have a job to do.
And who am I to even question it? I don’t work with them. I’m basically a contract worker.
I try Savannah again.
And again.
And again.
We pull up to La Maison.
I draw in a deep breath and release it.
Cosette is safe.
I’m almost done.
We are safe.
I breathe in and out.
I stabbed a man.
My heart comes to a sudden stop. I will myself to stay calm.
Savannah is fine. He’s having someone go to her.
He’ll make sure we’re okay.
I close my eyes against a sudden rush of emotion.
When all this is done, and I’m paid, my job here is over.
My time with Fabien is over.
Will I ever be the same?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Fabien
If she knew what I’ve done to keep her with me, she’d probably run.
Hell, it feels like she’s looking for an escape even now. But we’re right on the cusp of a breakthrough, on finally achieving what we set out to do, and I can’t allow reason to get in the way.
I may have taken things too far. For years, I’ve been telling myself that the ends justify the means.
Do they?
I can’t think about this now. We have to get to security.
We have a job to do.
We exit the car and head into La Maison.
No one follows us.
No one attacks.
I need to shut this place down and secure everyone before Nicolette and I head to the security detail.
Gwen paces the entryway when we enter.
“There you are! My God!” she says and throws her hands up in the air. “I’ve been frantic!” She gathers Nicolette up and gives her a massive hug. She stares at Nicolette’s bloodstained clothing. “Oh my God, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Nicolette says, before she releases a breath. “I… we had an incident. Several, actually, but I’m okay. Fabien—” she looks over at me. “Fabien made sure of that.”
My conscience—which I didn’t even fucking know I still had—pricks me.
Gwen glares at me and finally gives a reluctant nod. She knows as well as I do that making sure that Nicolette is safe doesn’t negate the fact that Nicolette wouldn’t have been in danger like this to begin with if it weren’t for me.
“We have a few things to do,” Nicolette says as she draws in a deep breath. “But let’s catch up later, okay?” She leans in and gives Gwen another impulsive hug.
“Definitely, and we have to include Joëlle, or she’ll kill me.”
Nicolette doesn’t laugh. Poor girl.
“We’re going to my room,” I tell Gwen. “We’re locked down for the night. No more clients. Everyone will be paid double time, and tomorrow, we’re going to discuss our options.”
Gwen nods. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“How’s Cosette?”
“A bit shaken but otherwise fine.”
“Good. We’ll check on her.” New security guards march by the door.
“Might be a good idea to do that tomorrow?” Gwen suggests gently. “She was so anxious after what happened I gave her a sleeping pill. She’s in my room for now.”
I nod. “Of course. If you need anything, you know how to reach me. Good night.”
We walk hand in hand up to my room.
“Poor Cosette,” Nicolette says with a sigh.
“She’s a strong woman. You all are. She’ll be alright, you’ll see.”
We walk in silence.
I open the door to my room and lead her inside. I walk over to the sofa by the window that overlooks the mountains and pull her onto my lap.