Surrender

I could do anything I wanted. See Notre Dame. Visit the Louvre. Eat lunch at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. My steps picked up as I traveled through the streets. I stopped to look at the tourist trinkets on the sidewalk. I tried on a few hats. I bought a scarf from a woman who sold them out of a trunk.

The wind kicked up and I tucked the Parisian scarf against my throat. I ducked into the first shop door I spotted.

It was a bookstore.

“Bon jour, mademoiselle.”

“Bon jour.” I smiled at the girl behind the counter. I hoped like hell she didn’t say anything other than hello, because I wouldn’t be able to answer her. I wondered if I could convince Vaughn to give me French lessons.

I meandered through stacks of books, taking my time to browse the shelves. The first few I picked up were written in French, but I found a section in English. I had finished my diamond thief book on the plane the day before. I needed something else to keep me busy. I had a feeling I would be spending many days like this—with time on my hands.

I selected a few books and smiled at the girl when I paid with cash. It was odd not to swipe my card, but I knew that was part of keeping a small footprint for now. It was easy to communicate with the shopkeeper even though we spoke different languages. I started to think that finding my way around the city might not be difficult.

“Merci,” I called over my shoulder as I drifted outside.

As I walked to the hotel with my bag of books and new scarf, I felt the energy tingle under my skin. I could do anything I wanted.

There were no deadlines. No papers to grade. No meetings with Agent Kenneth. I didn’t have to worry about Garrett or the next time my parents would fight. No more Addie glaring at me from her desk. I didn’t have to deal with Max’s harassment. I didn’t have to compete for the residency position at American University. All of that was over. It belonged to Emily Charles’ story.

I smiled.

I didn’t expect lightness. I didn’t know letting go of the things I had clung to could make me feel like this. There was an airiness in my thoughts. In the way I imagined tonight. Tomorrow. Was it possible to live a life without constraint? I was almost giddy. Elated even.

I moved out of the way as a young family approached. The toddler refused to climb into his stroller. I laughed as he hurled himself forward on stocky legs as if he could outrun his parents. His mother chased after him with a quick “tsk tsk” sound. “No, Henri,” she warned. The father wasn’t far behind with the stroller.

They continued along the block, chasing and calling him.

I stopped when I reached the hotel.

“Bon jour,” the doorman greeted me as I walked into the lobby.

I had no idea how much it cost per night to stay here, but I knew it exceeded any travel budget I’d ever had. It was beautiful. Vaughn didn’t seem to notice how lush and expensive it looked. He moved through the hotel as if he owned it. He was comfortable everywhere—at least he made it seem that way.

I unwrapped the scarf and laid it across the back of the couch. I had three books to choose from. I was proud of all my purchases. I poured a glass of wine and grabbed the first book on the stack. It felt decadent to drink wine in the morning. It tasted so much better than the coffee at the tiny café. I shrugged, curling up next to the window with my glass of wine, book, and a silk throw.

The city churned below me while I drank to my new life. While I settled into the contentment of waiting for Vaughn to come home. While I basked in the feeling of freedom, from every part of my life that had made me miserable. Finally. I soaked in the Paris skyline and just read.

I read for hours. I took a nap on our massive bed. When I awoke, I took a long shower, scrubbing my body and washing my hair until I felt like an entirely new woman. I was. I was Kate Walker. After searching through the top restaurants recommended on Travel Hopper, I chose one that wasn’t far from our hotel. I wanted to walk and venture through the city on foot.

There was a pair of black boots in the closet. My eyes landed on them while I combed through my new wardrobe. It was nearly nine. I wanted to be ready when Vaughn returned.

The boots would be perfect with the black dress I had chosen. I zipped the sides from my ankles to my knees and stood back to glance at my reflection.

I jumped when I felt arms circle my waist. I hadn’t heard the door to the suite open. Vaughn’s mouth pressed into my neck.

“How did I get so fucking lucky?” he growled.

He spun me toward him. My heart beat wildly. Thank God he was back. He was home. He was safe.

“Did you have a good day?” I asked.

He grinned. “It was an incredible day.”

“So does that mean you like your assignment?”

“Em.” His eyes were dark. I was shut out again. Like so many times before. I had hoped the last time I would see that expression was when I pressed him for answers in my apartment in D.C.

“What? I can’t ask?”