“How long until we arrive in Aillette?”
“Soon. Only maybe a half hour now. I had to give you a lot of chloroform. You’re very large.”
He laughed. “And you are certain you wouldn’t kill me?”
“I truly hope to not kill you, Maximus King. I need you too badly.”
And something reached down deep in his chest just then, something he hadn’t expected. Because he could not remember the last time someone had looked at him quite like that. He had been told a number of times by women that they needed him. They needed him to rehabilitate their image, which was essentially what he was going to do for Annick. That they needed him sexually. Yes, that was one of his favorites. His chest might be dead, but the rest of his body was not, and he did enjoy beautiful women. One of the perks of selecting the persona that he had chosen to carry on with his normal life.
Maximus King, the image consultant in San Diego, could have any woman he wanted. He took nothing seriously. He was charming and good in conversation. And he was even better in bed.
So yes, he was accustomed to women saying they needed him.
But not like this.
There was no greed in her eyes. No avarice.
There was an honesty there, that was what called to him. An honesty that was so different from anything he had been exposed to for an age.
It was simple. And clear.
She said that she needed him, and she meant it.
She also wouldn’t hesitate to use chloroform on him if she needed to.
He didn’t doubt that either. She’d do it again.
“But you were willing to risk it.”
“Well, if I could not bring you back to Aillette, then I would not have had you anyway.”
“Very practical.”
“I told you. I had a lot of time to think. I have had a lot of time.”
“And how did you find out that I was the one who performed the assassination?” That was very important. Because if he had been made by one of his contacts, then it was going to be a problem. There were very few people who knew his identity. As Annick had already said, those people had a vested interest in the outside world not knowing that they knew who he was. Or why they knew him.
“I’ll never tell anyone about you,” she said. “I swear it. And it is not important how I know.”
“It is,” he said. “I need to make sure there aren’t enemies out there we both need to know about.”
“No! It’s only me. And I needed you. It was what I had to use against you, so I did.”
“Good. You were desperate, and I will forgive you for that. But if you ever threaten my family again...”
“It is not a thing I want to do. I don’t want to threaten your family. I don’t wish it.”
“Good.”
“Ah,” she said. “We are descending. I look forward to welcoming you to Aillette.”