Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26499 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 132(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26499 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 132(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
I eye her carefully. “Are you bothered by this?”
Mila rolls her spoon under her finger. “I don’t know. I’ve never dated someone who is like you. Never dated anyone really, which is why Lauren set me up. I don’t think I’ll be bothered by it, but I’m not going to lie and say that seeing people with guns on your roof isn’t a little unsettling. Besides, I’m super clumsy and not just physically. I say things in front of people that I shouldn’t. What if I reveal super secret business stuff and someone sends a hit man to silence me?”
“That’s why there are men on the roof in black,” I reply.
A discreet cough garners my attention. Turning, I see the head of my security has returned. “Sir, it appears that there’s some disturbance in the city. A protest or a riot. It’s not clear. We would recommend you avoid going there until the situation is cleared up.”
“Ah, well, someone is always protesting in Paris. Are you too disappointed at missing Jean-Luc’s show?” I check with Mila.
“No, not if it means you’d be in danger.”
My chest squeezes. Her first concern is me? When we get back to the States, I’m hauling her in front of the Justice of the Peace and tying the knot. I can’t let her get away. “We’ll ask Jean-Luc to send some clothes here that he thinks would be a good selection. And Miss Lauren, where is she?”
“On her way,” my man says.
“You should hide the security men better before Lauren arrives,” Mila suggests. “She won’t be as understanding as me.”
Mila was completely right. Lauren does not understand why we are skipping the couture show. “The riot wasn’t even that bad.”
“You were in the middle of a riot?” Mila gasps.
Lauren waves her hand. “It wasn’t a riot. It was a few people upset about wages according to the sign, and there was a scuffle with the police, but it got resolved by the time we were driving away.”
Over the top of Lauren’s head, I check with the head of security, who gives me a silent but emphatic no. “We’ll go another time,” I say.
Lauren looks like she’s about to argue, but Mila jumps to her feet. “Let’s take a tour of the house.”
I rise, but Mila pushes me back down. “We’ll explore on our own. It’ll be more fun this way.”
Mila pulls the other woman into the house. Once they are out of earshot, I address my security lead. “What’s going on? I didn’t see any news of riots.”
“There isn’t anything serious on that front, but we did hear that there might be someone targeting you. It did not go unnoticed that you came to Paris of all places with a woman. It’s something you’ve never done. If you are concerned about the young woman’s safety, we should stay here until the danger passes.”
My eyes darken. “Who’s behind this?”
“We aren’t sure.”
“I want to know within the hour, and then we will go and take care of it.” My words brook no disagreement. The head of security gives me a sharp nod and leaves. Long ago, before I could afford an estate like the one I’m sitting in, I handled things myself. It was the only way to truly be sure that things were done right. With Mila’s safety in jeopardy, I wouldn’t trust this operation to anyone else. I’ll personally end anyone who threatens her.
seventeen
MILANA
“Isn’t this place amazing?” I lead Lauren down one of the long hallways.
“Breathtaking. Including some of those men I saw hanging around strapped with guns.” I pause mid-step, but Lauren locks her arm inside of mine to keep walking. “Something’s not right here.” Her voice drops to a whisper. Oh, boy. I knew this was going to happen. Suspicious Lauren is a force to be reckoned with. I was hoping to distract her enough that she wouldn’t notice certain things.
“Jay’s a very rich man. With that comes a certain level of danger. It’s kind of like that movie Ransom that we saw.” It’s the only thing I can come up with as an excuse. It’s not completely off base.
“Do those things really happen?” Lauren raises an eyebrow, looking a bit skeptical.
“I’ve heard sometimes people get kidnapped for like a day in some countries. The kidnappers usually demand money from the family and then release them.”
“I’m not sure that’s commonplace in Europe.”
“How was your time with Jean-Luc?” I change the subject, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“He said I could shoot his new line!” Her eyes light up with excitement. This is what she’s always wanted. “You know, now that I think about it, this place could be the perfect place for a photoshoot.”
“I’m sure Jay could make that happen,” I slip in, trying to get Jay some points with her. I have a feeling he’s gonna need a little extra.