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"ETIENNE," I CALL OUT, rapping my knuckles against the heavy door of his apartment. The door swings open, revealing his furrowed brow and piercing blue eyes that seem to see straight through me.
"Mon ami, what brings you here so late?" he asks, curiosity tightening his voice.
"Marcel and Giroux," I spit the words like venom, my fists clenching at my sides. "I've been tailing Giroux. I know their plans."
"Slow down, Bastien," Etienne says, placing a hand on my shoulder and guiding me inside. "You're letting your anger control you. That's not like you."
"Like me or not," I say through gritted teeth, "I won't stand by while they try to take Lisette away from me."
"Of course not," he replies, pouring us each a glass of whiskey. "But we need to be smart about this. How can we use what you've learned?"
"I’ve already taken out Giroux," I say, downing my drink in one swift motion. "He's Marcel's right-hand man. Without him, Marcel is vulnerable."
"Perhaps," Etienne muses, tapping his fingers on the table. "But there's more to it than just killing Giroux. We need a plan. A strategy."
"Then help me come up with one," I implore him, my voice raw with desperation. "I can't do this alone."
"Alright," he finally agrees, his expression softening. "We'll find a way to take out Marcel and protect Lisette. But we must be cautious, Bastien. Remember, we're playing with fire here."
"Let it burn," I reply, fury burning within me like the very flames of hell. "For Lisette, I'll walk through fire and come out the other side unscathed."
Together, Etienne and I pore over maps and information, weaving together a plan that will expose Marcel's treachery. The night stretches on, but our resolve only grows stronger, fueled by the love I hold for Lisette and the knowledge that, with Etienne's help, I won't lose her without a fight.
The scent of freshly baked bread hangs heavy in the air as I approach Lisette's bakery, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of our lives. The doorbell chimes gently and she appears from behind the counter, her eyes widening in surprise at my presence. Today there is no bread baking — she and her cousin Simone are packing the bakery up. Empty boxes litter the small bakery, and Lisette sets one down to greet me.
"Bonjour, Bastien," she greets me cautiously but warmly.
"Bonjour, Lisette," I reply, my heart pounding. "We need to talk."
"Of course," she ushers me into the back room, away from prying eyes.
Simone narrows her eyes at me as I follow Lisette to the backroom. I haven’t seen her around much – if Lisette was skeptical about gangsters, Simone is even more so. Last I heard, Claude said she was going to college somewhere out of state.
"Marcel is planning to attack the bakery," I begin without preamble, my voice tense. "It's time for you to fight back."
“Why do you think I am packing?” Lisette's eyes flash with defiance. "How do you propose we do that?"
"Stay here and fight," I urge, my hands clasping hers, the intensity of my feelings for her barely contained. "You don't have to run away. We can face Marcel together."
"Are you sure?" she asks, her voice wavering, uncertainty biting at her every word.
"More than anything," I whisper, pulling her close, desperate to protect her from the darkness that threatens to consume us both. "I won't let him take you away from me."
"Your love..." she hesitates, her eyes searching mine for the truth. "Is it enough to keep us safe?"
"Oui," I breathe, my heart swelling with conviction. "Together, we are unstoppable."
"Then I will stay," she agrees, her lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss that sets my soul ablaze.
"Finally," I think, feeling the weight of the world lifting from my shoulders as our bodies meld together, united against the forces that seek to tear us apart.
But, like a cruel joke, the moment is shattered by the sound of Claude's men bursting through the door.
"Enough!" barks one of them, his gun trained on us. "Claude wants to speak with you both."
"Let her go," I growl, my hands balling into fists at my sides.
"Easy now," the man smirks, enjoying the power he wields over us. "It's not for you to decide."
