Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
“Good answer.” He brought my hand up and kissed it as he pulled into the parking lot where the private jet hangars were located.
After Amir had settled everything with our identification, we drove in and parked in front of the small office. Ben got out and opened the door for me, holding my hand as he walked me inside.
“We’re ready,” Amir announced, walking away from the counter and toward us.
“I guess this is goodbye.” I faced Ben.
“Not goodbye. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed me then, and I wrapped my arms around him to deepen the kiss because I felt like I needed to savor this moment to make up for all of the ones I’d miss over the weekend.
It was a dangerous feeling, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t stop myself from falling, and at this point, I wasn’t sure I wanted to try.
I’d only been in Paris a few short hours before I reported for my first duty. I was serving food at one of the local homeless shelters today. It had always been one of my favorite places to come as a kid. My parents would bring my brothers and I every Christmas. Even though we were extremely privileged, and Santa never skipped our houses, serving food for the less fortunate put things into perspective. The shelter was also one of the few places that always supported my father, regardless of what the rest of the country said about him. When my brother stepped into the role of king, they were very vocal in their praise. And when he chose to marry Adeline, a commoner, they were even more so. Amir and I pulled up to the shelter, and he switched off the car.
“Are you sure you want to drive home by yourself?”
“Please. It’s only two blocks, and I need my space.” I smiled. “Besides, Aramis is coming to serve food with me, so I’ll be safe.” I winked.
Amir nodded as we stepped out of the car, and he jogged over to the waiting SUV with the other security members. The thing I loved about Paris was that, yes, we were always flanked by security, but in instances like these, where we were close to home and at a safe place, we were allowed some freedom. It wasn’t much, but when you lived under a microscope, you learned to appreciate every bit of it. As I walked to the door, I sent my brother a text, telling him I would wait for him inside. On the rare occasion where we felt extra daring, we stood outside for a while with no security, hiding behind sunglasses and beneath hats. Today, I just wanted to go inside and do my duty so that I could go home and sleep in my bed. My phone vibrated, and I stopped walking, unlocking the screen to find a text, though not from my brother.
Ben: I hope you had a good flight. I miss you already.
I took a deep breath and smiled, reveling in those words. Ben missed me, and it wasn’t like he had to tell me as much. He could have played it cool like most guys I knew. Instead, he’d sent me a message, telling me that he missed me. I bit my lip as I responded.
Me: I miss you too. I wish I had thought to kidnap you and bring you in my suitcase.
Ben: I saw the size of your suitcase. I think I’d fit.
Me: haha. I think you might!
Ben: I wouldn’t have been opposed to going home to be with you.
Butterflies took flight in my belly. I bit my lip harder.
“I’m surprised he let you out of his sight.”
I gasped at the sound of Kayla’s voice and glanced up to find her standing a few feet away from me. “What are you doing here?”
“I live in the area.” She shrugged. “I heard you were going to come feed the poor today. It must be tedious work, considering you don’t even feed yourself.”
My pulse quickened. “What do you want?”
“What do I want? Nothing. I’m just taking a walk.”
“You should leave.”
“I will.” She looked past me. “Nice car. Are you sure you want to leave it parked in a neighborhood like this?”
The shelter doors opened before I could form a response, and Monsieur Baron stepped outside.
“Pilar! We’ve been expecting you.” He smiled.
“Bonjour.” I smiled back, then looked at Kayla. “I have to go. I have important people to meet with.”
She glowered at me but walked away. I strolled inside, trying to brush off the encounter. The papers always published where we’d be making appearances for the Crown, so I wasn’t shocked that she knew where I’d be. But the fact that she’d followed me here was unsettling. I made a note to tell Amir about it. Our previous encounter had been uncomfortable, but this was more than that. Soon enough, Monsieur Baron set me up behind the counter, and Aramis walked in, flashing me a big smile.