Sonata (Butcher and Violinist 2)

He blinked.

“If anything deals with my aunt or Shalimar, I want to be in the loop.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

He frowned. “And if the news becomes too much?”

“Then, I’ll tell you that’s it too much for me.”

“So long as you don’t run away.”

“I didn’t think I had that option.”

He smiled. “Fair point. We’ll return to Paris this evening.”

“Will Rafael leave earlier?”

“I’m sure Rafael is already halfway to the airport.”

I gazed around. Rafael was nowhere in sight. He must’ve rushed off to the car.

“If we want to leave with him now, then he’ll have to wait for us, and he won’t. This evening will be better.”

I turned Jean-Pierre’s way. “As long as we go. I’m cool.”

“We will.”

We returned to the table, but the mood had definitely changed. Shalimar had sounded scared. Something had happened that had forced her to come to Paris, or was this a ploy from my aunt? I was sure Jean-Pierre thought it too but didn’t want to say anything.

That’s why he doesn’t want me to go by myself.

What if Aunt Celina showed up at the nail salon too? Shalimar talked as if I wasn’t supposed to be in contact with her.

At least, Aunt Celina had heard my messages.

Shalimar was in Paris. Rafael had traced her phone and was heading to grab her. And Jean-Pierre and I would be following right behind them this evening.

As I sat at my table and tried to follow his aunts’ French, I couldn’t help but feel trapped in a surreal moment—one outside of my complete reality. How had I ended up on a beach in the South of France? Months ago, I was broke, and in America.

But Jean-Pierre and Aunt Celina had been battling, even then.

And now I was fully involved.

And all that fighting must end.

Jean-Pierre grabbed my hand under the table. “Are you okay?”

“I am.”

“I don’t want you to worry.”

“I’m nervous about what might happen in the next twenty-four hours, but there’s one thing that I’m confidant in.”

His voice lowered. “What, reine?”

“I know you’ll protect me. I know that everything will work out.”

He kissed me. “Espérons que c’est vrai, ma reine.”

Chapter 5

A Breathless Vision

Jean-Pierre

A lot hung heavy on my mind. But one thing made me smile.

Eden won over my family.

My aunts had been pissed at our early departure, blaming it on me. In many ways they were right. I should’ve ended this business with Celina long ago.

What did Shalimar want to tell Eden? Why did she hurry over to Paris?

If this was some strategy for Celina to get Eden back, she would fail. I had already delivered men to the nail salon’s address. They surrounded the location. Various men on various levels of the blocks. Snipers. Local police. Even the janitor of the nail salon had been replaced with one of mine.

Nothing could go wrong.

The only joy that would come from this meeting with Shalimar tomorrow… was that there would be some finality in the situation. Surely, Celina would call a cease fire when she knew there was no other option.

We returned to my penthouse in Paris that night and passed out. I’d had a lot to catch up on, so I’d left the bed before sunrise, hoping I could return before Eden woke up.

I never got that chance.

I arrived at my office.

“Good morning, sir.” One of my men opened the door.

Giorgio stood next to the window, peering out by the curtain. “When I came here, I spotted a van full of Russians outside the building.”

“You can’t see them from here? We’re too high up.” I went to my small office bar and poured a whiskey. “Besides, security told me about the men when I arrived. Russians, but no one knows from what part of the country.”

“Whiskey for breakfast?”

“I’m on edge.”

“I see.” Giorgio placed the curtain back and patted it down as if to prevent any wrinkles. “Does it matter what type of Russian these guys are?”

“It may. I don’t know if Kazimir has a strong hold on all his Bratva right now.”

“Do you think Kazimir has them watching you?”

“If not him, then Celina.”

“Louis had interesting news.” Giorgio placed a folder on my desk. “Kazimir’s cousin, Misha, is looking for Celina too.”

That can’t be good.

Giorgio continued, “Misha has been asking low level thugs around Paris, London, and Amsterdam to find, capture, and bring Celina to him.”

“Not a good sign.”

Igor had been killed, leaving his son Misha, and mistress Celina as survivors. Now Misha was looking for Celina.

Why is he looking for her? Had Celina caused problems over there? And did it relate to Eden or me?

Kazimir was Misha’s cousin, and he loved his Uncle Igor a lot. Many believed Igor gave Kazimir counsel and held on to the Bratva’s top secrets.

Did they think Celina had something to do with Igor’s death?

I hoped not. Because if they did, then I would have to step in and save her due to the fact that Celina didn’t put out the hit on Igor. I did, but on Sasha’s behalf and using his own Bratva to keep the Corsican out of it.