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“I know it’s a big chance for you.” He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “I want you to be able to achieve your dreams, but I’m worried. We have targets on our backs. I don’t know if there is a way for me to be able to keep you safe.”
I put the paperwork down the desk. “I’ll be done with it. I can hold back on this for now. There will be other chances.”
Christian pinches the bridge of his nose before looking back at me. “Zoe, the last thing I want is to hold you back.”
He pulls out his phone and sends a message while I stand there with my heart pounding in my chest.
Our lives are dangerous right now. It feels like a knife is being driven through me as I think about putting my dreams on hold, but he knows the world of the cartel far better than I do.
If he says that it’s too dangerous, then I have to trust him. He’s kept me safe so far. I know that he’s going to continue keeping me safe for as long as possible.
“The security team is going to walk about the venue. They’re going to see if it will be possible for all of us to have a good sightline on you at all times. If they give it the green light, then you can perform here. No more bars, though. Two shows a week for now.”
My heart skips a beat as I look at him. “Are you serious? I can do this?”
Hope flows through me as I look at him.
I know I shouldn’t get excited yet, but I am. This is a massive opportunity, and he is trying to find a compromise.
Christian nods. “If the security team gets back to me in the next few minutes and say that it’s safe enough, you can perform here. But I’m serious, Zoe. Two bars a week. That’s it. I’m not willing to take more risks where your life is concerned. We have enough to worry about right now.”
I pull him into a big hug, even though he is stiff in my embrace. “Thank you for even considering this. You don’t know how much it means to me.”
His phone starts buzzing as I pull back from him. His mouth sets in a grim line, and my heart starts to sink in my chest. There is no way that La Neige is going to be an option. I can see it based on his expression.
At least he was willing to try and work with me. He’s not trying to hold me back. It just isn’t safe right now.
Christian tucks his phone back into his pocket. “You’re going to be performing here one night a week, so don’t bother shredding that contract.”
“You’re kidding!” I leap at him again, laughing as he catches me around the waist and holds me for a moment. “Thank you! I can’t believe this. Thank you so much. I promise, two bars a week. That’s it.”
“And if I tell you that we need to cut back more, then we need to cut back more. Got it?” His frown is deep, and I can still see the worry in his eyes.
“You say the word, and I’ll be done.”
He nods, sharp, before turning to the door and heading out into the hall. “I want to be happy for you right now, Zoe, but it’s a little hard. I know how much this means to you, but it’s scaring the hell out of me. We’ll try to make it work for now, though.”
I look at the contract on the desk.
If he thinks that this is such a bad idea, maybe I should just rip up the papers.
Christian is comfortable with me working at Joe’s bar.
“Don’t even think about shredding up the contact,” Christian says, his tone hollow as he looks back inside the office. “Let’s just go home so I can meet with the security team about the best way to protect you while you perform.”
I nod and follow him, not wanting to create more tension between the two of us.
I don’t know how I can thank him enough for finding a way to make performing at La Neige work.
This is a dream come true. One that I thought never would. Without him, it wouldn’t be possible.
Christian is going to do everything he can to protect us while still letting me chase my dreams.
He’s a better man than I deserve.
The car ride is silent as we head home.
Christian grips the wheel so hard his knuckles turn white. His jaw flexes like he has something to say but he doesn’t.
