24. Chapter Twenty-Four #3
The words mean more than Francis’s promotion ever could.
“I didn’t do it only because of us.”
“I know.”
“I should have done it years ago.”
“I know that too.”
Her certainty eases the fear I didn’t realize I was carrying.
“You aren’t angry?”
“That you finally chose something for yourself?”
She tilts her head.
“Why would I be angry?”
“Because I didn’t call.”
“You texted.”
“Barely.”
“You communicate like a hostage sending proof of life.”
My mouth curves.
“I’ve been with my family. Debriefing. Dealing with Francis.”
“I understand.”
She says it without punishment.
Without making me earn forgiveness for needing time.
“I missed you,” I tell her.
Simone’s gaze softens.
“I missed you too.”
The next step brings her heel down on my shoe.
She stumbles.
I tighten my arm around her waist and pull her flush against me.
“Easy.”
Her nose is inches from mine.
“I’m an excellent dancer.”
“Of course you are, baby.”
The endearment slips out.
Simone inhales sharply.
Her eyes darken.
“I’m flustered.”
“I noticed.”
“Because you disappeared for three days.”
“I told you I wasn’t disappearing.”
“You took your time proving it.”
I spin her gently.
When she returns, I turn her so her back rests against my chest.
My arm circles her waist.
Her body fits against mine with dangerous perfection.
“I’m here now.”
Her head tips slightly toward mine.
“I was beginning to think you might ignore me all night.”
“I could never ignore you.”
The dancers rotate.
A new partner reaches for Simone.
I don’t release her.
The woman laughs and moves on to someone else.
Simone looks over her shoulder.
“You’re breaking the rules.”
“I’m done letting other people decide when I have to give you up.”
Her expression changes.
I turn her back toward me.
Her fingers tighten around my shoulder.
“You’d better mean that.”
“I do.”
The music slows.
Our bodies move closer.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” I say.
“What?”
“My mother wants you to come to dinner.”
Simone blinks.
“Your mother knows?”
“She knows I’m in love with you.”
A smile spreads across her face.
“What did she say?”
“That I should stop making everything complicated.”
“I already love her.”
“She also believes you’ve been obsessed with me since childhood.”
The smile disappears.
“I was not obsessed.”
“You threw a drink at a woman for touching my arm.”
“She had poor boundaries.”
I laugh.
Simone stares at me.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
“I like you jealous.”
“That makes two of us.”
Her gaze shifts toward Adrien.
“He waved at you.”
“I saw.”
“He likes you.”
“He doesn’t know me.”
“He likes that you frightened him.”
“I didn’t frighten him.”
“He still tells people about the hotel hallway.”
I lean closer.
“I was considering breaking down the door.”
Simone’s cheeks heat.
“I know.”
The song reaches its final notes.
We stop moving but remain close.
Her lips part.
“Did you—”
“I need to—”
We speak simultaneously.
I smile.
“You first.”
She doesn’t get the chance.
A glass chimes against silverware.
The room gradually quiets.
Francis stands at the head of the long banquet table, holding a champagne flute while the final guests turn toward him.
Simone looks over.
Confusion draws her brows together.
Francis smiles.
“It has been a wonderful evening.”
His voice carries easily through the ballroom.
“I’m grateful to each of you for joining me on this milestone birthday.”
Polite applause follows.
Francis waits for it to fade.
“The past few weeks have been difficult for my family.”
His gaze moves toward Simone.
“Your support during that time has meant more than I can express.”
My instincts sharpen.
Something about his tone feels rehearsed beyond an ordinary birthday toast.
Simone senses it too.
Her fingers tighten around mine.
“I’m especially grateful to have my daughter home safely.”
Guests turn toward her and applaud again.
Simone gives them a restrained smile.
Francis continues.
“Tonight is not only a celebration of survival or another year of life.”
His attention shifts past us.
Toward Adrien.
Adrien’s face loses its easy amusement.
“I’m also pleased to welcome the man who will soon become an official member of our family.”
Every muscle in my body becomes still.
Francis stretches one hand toward Adrien.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me tremendous pleasure to announce that my daughter, Simone Rochefort, and Adrien Belcourt will formalize their engagement on the sixteenth of this month.”
Applause erupts around us.
Loud.
Immediate.
Cameras flash.
Guests turn toward Simone and Adrien with delighted expressions.
Adrien doesn’t move.
His face has gone pale.
Simone’s hand becomes rigid inside mine.
I don’t believe the announcement for a second.
I know Adrien.
I know Simone.
Neither of them agreed to this.
Francis didn’t announce an engagement.
He constructed a cage in front of three hundred witnesses and dared his daughter to refuse it publicly.
Anger rolls through me.
Cold and controlled.
Simone looks at her father.
Then at Adrien.
Then at me.
Shock gives way to fury.
Her voice cuts cleanly through the applause.
“What the fuck?”