“Thank you for offering your home,” I say to bring his attention back to me, and his gaze slowly drifts to meet mine. He gives me a smile, but it’s chilling. I hope I haven’t made a mistake by coming here.
“I owe you. And I always honor my word.” He nods. “Besides, it’s not every day that my nephew's favorite movie star spends a week at my compound.”
“Is he here?” I ask, trying to work out exactly who’s here and who knows I am.
He shrugs. “I might fly Bean in at the end of the week to get a photo.” He loves his nephew. It's the only part of him that shows any kind of emotion. Hugo Moreau is all business, hotheaded, and completely deadly.
“Maybe your son here would like a little friend?” Hugo looks at Preston, and I remain silent, not correcting him.
“Tu aimerais avoir un petit ami pour jouer?” he says to Preston, and I have no idea what he just said, but Preston offers a small smile.
“Peut-être…” Preston mumbles, and my eyebrows rise.
“Merci de nous avoir accueillis chez vous.”
I try to tame my smile when Charlotte speaks. I should've known they would know another language.
“You’re welcome. Stay the week. I hear the media are troublesome in America. We don’t have that issue here. Brigitte will manage your stay. Au revoir.”
Hugo nods toward a woman to his side, before slapping my shoulder and moving past us, getting in the same car that brought us here and he and his men drive away. As he does, my shoulders lower a little. There’s security all around, the front gate is locked with a guard house, and the entire property is surrounded by large fencing, but the gardens are extensive.
“This way…” Brigitte says in poor English as another few guys grab our bags like we’re staying in some hotel.
“Any other language you speak?” I murmur to Charlotte as we walk, my smile small, the stress of the past twenty-four hours slowly leaving me.
“A few.” She looks up at me, grinning playfully as we walk inside and are shown around.
The place is magnificent. We’re in the middle of nowhere, the nearest neighbor not even visible. Our bags are whisked away as Brigitte, who I assume is the housekeeper, takes us on a tour. Partway through, Charlotte speaks French to her, and she seems relieved. I guess I’m now the only one among us who has absolutely no idea what they're talking about.
“Our rooms are this way,” Charlotte whispers as we walk down a hall to the far side of the compound. “We have this entire wing to ourselves.”
My eyes feast on the space. High ceilings, luxurious furnishings, French doors leading out to a private pool and gardens. It doesn't feel as homey as our cottage, but it’s beautiful.
“Merci.” Charlotte nods to Brigitte, who walks out, shutting the doors on us, and we all can finally breathe.
“You alright, buddy?”
Preston looks tired, it's been a hell of a day.
“I’m okay.” He nods sleepily.
“Everything will be okay, Preston. We’re safe,” Charlotte says, but his face doesn’t change. His expression is remorseful, with a healthy dose of fear.
“It’s all my fault.”
I frown at that. “None of it is your fault,” I tell him adamantly, because if anyone is to blame, it’s me. I’m the one the media are after. I’m the one who couldn’t stay away from her, even though I know she can’t go public. “Come here.” Taking a seat on the large sofa, I pull him down next to me.
“Why do you think any of this is your fault?” Charlotte’s concern creeps into her voice as we both look at her brother.
“Because if it wasn’t for me, we wouldn’t need to hide. You could’ve left me. You could’ve had a life where you didn’t have to run.” His glossy eyes stare straight ahead, not looking at his sister, who swoops down on her knees, right in front of where Preston sits. She grabs his hands in hers and forces him to meet her gaze.
“I would never leave you. I would never leave you there with her. Hiding here is better than what you had.”
“But none of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for me…”
“You’re right,” I tell him, and Charlotte’s eyes widen at me in disbelief.
“None of this would’ve happened. Thanks to you, I’ve met the love of my life. I have a cool younger brother and an amazing new home in Whispers. Thanks, Preston. Without you, I wouldn’t have any of the good things in my life that I have now.”
