Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Juliette Faure notices me and asks Camille something. Probably along the lines of who I am.
Walking to the bar, I ask for a bottle of water. I’m just about to twist the cap off when Camille gestures for me to come closer.
“Christ,” I sigh. “This is above my pay grade.”
I move closer to the group of women and lift an eyebrow at Camille.
“Juliette wants to know which company you work for,” she informs me.
“I’m an independent contractor,” I say, for the first time not lying about my real job.
I highly doubt any of these women know what it means. They probably don’t even know about the bratva, the mafia, assassins, smugglers, or sex traffickers. That’s why they make such easy targets.
The thought has a memory slipping through the cracks, and there’s a flash of the bullet hitting Camille’s back.
I quickly squash it back down into the cesspool of guilt and pay attention to my surroundings.
Juliette’s eyes rest on me with too much interest. It makes her come across easy and desperate with not much class at all.
“Such a pity,” she purrs and gestures at an open chair. “Join us. You don’t have to stand by the bar.”
Ignoring the woman, I lock eyes with Camille. “Will that be all?”
There’s a glimmer of satisfaction in my charge’s eyes as she nods. “Thank you, Max.”
Interesting. She loves that I didn’t give Juliette the time of day.
At least I did something right for a change.
As I walk away, I hear Juliette mutter, “He’s rude. You should put your bodyguard in his place.”
“His job is to protect me, not to entertain you,” Camille defends me, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like smiling.
Chapter 7
Cami
I’m not going to lie, when Max flat-out ignored Juliette, it filled me with delight.
No man has ever given her the cold shoulder, and certainly not in public.
I was right, though. The moment she found out Max was my bodyguard, she wanted one as well, as if he’s some kind of accessory I’m carrying around.
If only she knew how frustrating the man can be.
“I got a tennis bracelet that cost twenty-seven thousand,” Sophie says to impress us. “Look.”
God, I can feel my soul shriveling.
I’ve been stuck in my penthouse for a week, and now I have to listen to these women trying to one-up each other.
We all fawn over her bracelet, but then Juliette changes the subject back to Max.
“Why do you have a bodyguard?”
Not wanting everyone to know about the threats, I say, “My father feels it’s time I have one.”
The three women look at Max, where he’s sitting by the bar while practically glaring at everyone in the VIP section.
The man seriously has zero people skills and too much aggression.
“He’s so hot,” Liliane sighs dreamily.
“Did you all see his eyes?” Sophie asks. “I got goosebumps when he looked at me.”
“He didn’t look at you,” Juliette chastises her. “His eyes were on me.”
Dear God.
Just then, Henri Durand and his friends approach us, and I let out a sigh of relief.
Henri’s father plays golf with mine, and I’ve known him for a couple of years. We’ve hooked up on random occasions, but there will never be anything serious between us.
“Ladies.” He grins his usual playful grin. “What are we celebrating?”
“My birthday,” Sophie informs him. “Why don’t you join us?”
Henri, André, and Laurent take a seat, and the men order a bottle of expensive champagne.
André immediately cozies up to our birthday girl. Laurent pays attention to Liliane, seeing as Juliette has made it clear on many occasions that none of them are good enough for her.
She’s holding out for a marriage with Ranier Olivier, the son of a prominent businessman.
Henri rests his arm on the back of our sofa, and his fingers brush over my bicep. “How have you been, ma chérie?”
My eyes flit to Max, who’s watching Henri like a hawk that’s about to swoop in and devour his prey.
I actually feel a sense of danger, and the moment I lock eyes with Max, I give him a reassuring smile so he won’t ruin my chances of getting laid tonight.
There’s only so much satisfaction a woman can get from her battery-operated friend. Sometimes I need the real thing, and right now, Henri is as real as it gets.
Turning my attention to Henri, I answer his question, “The same as always. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’ve been busy at work. My father plans to retire.”
I raise an eyebrow. “He’s not that old. Is he?”
“He’s turning fifty-five this year.”
I nod. “Hey, it’s good news for you. Congratulations.”
The server brings the bottle of champagne, and soon the bubbly liquid is flowing from glass to glass.
We all take a flute, then André toasts, “To the prettiest birthday girl in the club. May she have many more.”
After I take a sip, Henri leans in close and whispers, “Are we good for later tonight, or should I find someone else.”