by Webb, Rene
“When will we get there?” I snuggle in closer, tucking my legs up onto the seat underneath me and resting my body on Finn’s.
“It’s going to be a while.” He laughs. “Why don’t you take a nap, and I’ll wake you up for lunch.”
“I wish we could apparate,” I mutter.
I feel, more than hear, his answering chuckle as it reverberates through his chest.
Closing my eyes and shoving all thought aside, I focus on the feel of the man I am leaning against, the solid warmth and feelings of safety and security.
The rest of our trip is thankfully uneventful, including our quick stop in Russia to drop off Von. There, a doctor comes aboard and gives a grumbling Trevor a quick look, proclaiming he has no lasting injuries but should relax for the next couple of days. We also purchase my forged passport, something that, despite the circumstances, seems pretty badass to have. I can’t believe how real it looks.
“For how much it cost, it should!” Finn growls when I voice my observation.
“I’ll pay you back,” I assure him.
“The fuck you will,” he snaps back.
I decide the best decision would be to drop the subject and instead ask Peter to find out how much I owe Finn. That is, after I kick Peter’s ass for not coming to rescue me himself. Bastard.
All sense of passed time is lost when we finally arrive in Paris in the late afternoon. We part ways with Davies and Henderson, who are flying back to Boston together, and make our way to my aunt’s apartment. We arrive before Peter, who had texted Finn and said he would be flying in the following morning.
Standing in the building’s lobby, I watch as Trevor efficiently picks the lock to the mailbox and takes out the door key I know from experience is hidden there. After climbing several sets of stairs, he opens the door for us and Finn ushers me inside the sunlit and brightly colored living room.
It is as warm and homey as I remember from my last visit with my father. The room has sunlight streaming through large windows surrounded by decorative moldings and that look out at the Eiffel Tower not far in the distance. There is a large, inviting couch and several squashy chairs, all covered in throw pillows and afghans. They are grouped around an ornate fireplace with several photographs perched on top. From where I’m standing by one of the couches, I see a photo of my father and am instantly drawn to it.
A younger version of him is smiling at me from within the silver frame. His arm is around Aunt Kitty’s shoulder, and the Eiffel Tower can be seen in the background.
The photo next to it catches my eye.
“I knew you looked familiar!” I exclaim, grabbing the framed photograph of my aunt’s most recent wedding. I had not gone to the ceremony, mainly to keep the peace with my mother, but Peter had shown me pictures last time I saw him. He is standing next to Aunt Kitty with the groom on her other side, and next to him, smiling at the camera, is Trevor, my new stepcousin. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
10
Finn
“There never seemed to be the appropriate moment,” Trevor tells her as he drops himself onto the couch. “And I didn’t think it mattered.”
“Really?” Lily asks, tilting her head and giving him a hard stare. “You didn’t think that maybe it would’ve made me feel even safer to know you were family?”
“Sorry.” Trevor raises his hands in surrender.
“We didn’t intentionally keep it from you,” I say, defending Trevor and myself. I step forward and wrap my arm around her waist, kissing her temple.
“Peter had shown me pictures from the wedding.” She places the photograph back onto the mantle. “I knew there was something familiar about Trevor.”
“Sir, where would you like your bags?” Trevor asks, standing and moving toward the pile of luggage we dropped by the door.
“Lily and I will take Kitty’s room,” I tell him. It is the only bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Paris is the last place Lily wants to be, and I want her as comfortable as possible during our stay.
Trevor grabs my suitcase and walks toward the hallway that I know leads to the bedrooms. I have enjoyed staying here with Peter and his mother during several previous visits to Paris. I find it much more relaxing staying in a home rather than a hotel. And I knew Lily would feel the same.
She grabs another photograph, then turns in my arms and smiles at me.
“I forgot you knew Dad.” She shows me the picture of Peter, her father, and me at our graduation from Cambridge.
“Yes, he was a mentor and friend.” I take the photo from her and look fondly at the three of us. The London sun was actually shining. Peter and I were dressed in our black graduation robes, ready to take on the world, thinking we knew everything.
“Look at your hair.” She giggles, pointing at my long, unruly hair.
“I told you I had long hair.” Smiling, I hand her back the photograph.
“I bet Dad was the one who told you to cut it.” Lily gently places the frame back on the mantle, letting her fingertips lovingly pass over the image of her father.
“He was.” I chuckle, running a hand through my hair as I remember. “He told me I needed to look more professional.”
“Dad hated it when I dyed my hair purple in junior high,” she comments and then turns to face me with squinted eyes and pursed lips. “How come we’ve never met?”
“We have.”
Lily gives me a disbelieving look. I touch her shoulder gently, encouraging her to step toward me.
“I was of course at your father’s funeral, and we had met before that at Peter’s and my graduation. I guess I didn't make a big impression,” I tease.
“No, but you have now.” Lily moves into my arms with a smile, wrapping hers around my waist.
“I better have!” I growl, roughly claiming her mouth. She moans in pleasure and lifts herself to her toes to bring our bodies even closer. Gliding my hand through her thick hair, I grip it tightly as I feast on her sweetness. My other hand palms her round ass. We fit perfectly.
I am shocked back to the present when I feel a vibration against my thigh as my phone plays disco music. Knowing it is Riley from the tone, I reluctantly pull away and reach into my pocket as I lick my lips. I still taste my princess on them. There is no one else I would interrupt my time with Lily for.
“Sorry, it’s my sister.” I swipe the screen to activate the video chat and plop onto the couch. “Hey, little bird.”
I am glad Riley called. After speaking to Pride Security during our cab ride from the airport to here, I decided it would be less disruptive to her life if Trevor was to go keep her safe instead of the discreet detail they had planned. Trevor is someone she knows, and we do not know how long it will take to neutralize Mayer.
While there, he’ll still be able to work remotely for me in his normal duties as my assistant. Trevor will relax here tonight, continuing to recover from the fight with Von, and leave tomorrow afternoon.
“Hey, Trevor texted and said you were in Paris, so I thought I’d call and see what’s going on,” she says.
“You texted my sister?” I twist my body to direct my question at Trevor, who just walked back into the room.
“She needs to know where you are, in case she has to get a hold of you,” he answers as he grabs his own bag and walks back toward the hall, no doubt to claim one of the two guest rooms for himself.
“Don’t worry, that’s all he said, which is why I called.” She reaches off screen, brings back a coffee cup, and takes a sip. “What’s going on?”
Ignoring her question, I look up and see Lily standing by the mantle holding a picture of her father and aunt, staring at it longingly.
“Lily, come meet my sister,” I call to her, waving her toward me.
This is the perfect opportunity for the two to finally meet after hearing so much about the other over the years and to get the first introductions out of the way. The next time they see each other, they’ll already know one another and hopefully be o
n their way to being friends. I couldn’t have planned it better!
Lily turns and smiles before placing the picture back on the mantle and joining me. She snuggles against me on the couch as I wrap my arm around her shoulder.
“This is Peter’s cousin Lily,” I tell Riley, who is smiling brightly and raising her eyebrows at my obvious affection for the woman in my arms.
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you. Peter talks about you all the time.” Riley smiles brightly.
“Really?” Lily asks, sounding shocked and pleased as she leans toward my phone.
“Last time we had dinner, he told me all about your study abroad and how much you love living in London.”
“I’ve loved living in London,” Lily says excitedly and then relaxes her body against mine. “You’re in DC, right?”
“Arlington actually, but yeah, right outside of it.” Riley leans back in her chair and digs a spoon into a yogurt cup. “Sorry, I’m on my lunch break.”
I’m glad to see that she’s eating. She has a tendency to skip meals when she’s working.
“Oh, I love your nails!” Lily exclaims, reaching out a hand and grabbing my phone to pull it closer.
“Thank you, I just had a manicure yesterday.” Riley puts down her lunch and moves her bright-pink nails closer to the camera. “This is the first time I’m trying gel.”
“I’ve never done the gel, but I’ve tried the nail strips and I’m totally obsessed with them!” Lily tells her.
I knew introducing these two was a good idea.
Sinking farther into the couch, I listen as they talk about shit I have no clue—and honestly don’t care—about. With the shit storm that is whirling around her, it’s good for Lily to think about something else, even for a few moments.
“I haven’t tried the nail strips yet. I’m not sure how well they’d stand up to how much abuse my hands take, pushing the tires on my wheelchair all day,” Riley says and resumes her lunch.
“I can see that. You’d have to use industrial strength top coat,” Lily says. “I even found Harry Potter ones!”
“Oh, cool! One of my Facebook friends sells them, so I should try and see how they work. Although, I wouldn’t give up my manicures for anything,” Riley says. “The paraffin dips are a guilty pleasure of mine.”
“Oh,” Lily says excitedly. “I have always wanted to try that, but honestly, I’m a little scared it will hurt.”
“What?” I ask, inserting myself back into the conversation.
“You dip your hands into hot wax, and it’s supposed to help the joints and moisturize the hands and nails,” Riley explains. “And no, it doesn’t hurt at all. It’s completely soothing and relaxing.”
Hot Wax?
“Then I’m definitely going to try it then,” Lily states before turning her head toward me. “Tomorrow, we need to find a spa.”
I groan in mock exasperation, making them both laugh.
“What color are you wearing?” Riley asks. “I can’t tell.”
“It’s a really ugly red color. I didn’t choose it,” Lily says in a disgusted tone, holding her hands up to the camera. I grab one of them and pull it closer to see the bright red color.
“I didn't notice it last night.”
“I’m not surprised.” Lily gives me a small smile. “You’re a man.”
“Hey!”
As they smile and laugh with each other, I am filled with hope that they will end up getting along. The two clearly have one thing in common—two if you count enjoying giving me shit. Lily fidgets against me. I look down to see her picking at the nail polish on her nails, scraping it off.
“I’m glad you called, Riley. I was going to call and tell you that tomorrow Trevor is going to come and stay with you for a bit,” I interrupt.
“Really?” Riley asks, raising her eyebrows at me.
“Yes.”
“And why am I having a houseguest?”
“Just a security precaution,” I tell her and then try to sell her on the idea. “Plus, he can do any projects you need done in the condo while he’s there.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I tell her.
“Tell her, boss man,” Lily says, jabbing me in the ribs with her elbow. “She has a right to know why she’s having an unwanted houseguest.”
“Trevor’s just going to tell me when he arrives,” Riley taunts, giving me the stink eye she’s perfected since birth.
“He won’t if he wants to keep his job,” I snap.
“Don’t be an ass,” Riley snaps back.
“Fine,” Lily says before leaning into the frame to interrupt our argument. “I was kidnapped.”
“Lily,” I growl.
“And your brother rescued me,” she says, ignoring me completely.
“Lily,” I repeat in vain.
“What?” Riley gasps, her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry, it’s a fucked-up, family situation.” She turns toward me and glares at me. “Riley has a right to know why you’re sending Trevor to follow her around.”
Riley smiles at her. “Thank you, Lily.”
“I just want to make sure you’re covered,” I reply There’s no use lying about it.
“What’s he going to do while I’m at work? He can’t actually sit in my office. I work in an SCIF, remember?” Riley asks in an annoyed tone. “I’m surrounded by armed guards, for fuck’s sake.”
“You are?” Lily asks astounded.
“I’m a computer programmer at the Pentagon. My office is an SCIF, meaning I can’t take any electronic devices that are connected to an outside network inside, such as my cellphone, and no unauthorized personnel are allowed.” Riley smiles at Lily before she turns her scowl back on me.
My sister is brilliant, and truthfully, I don’t even know or understand what she does for the government.
“Wow. Peter’s told me you work with computers, but that’s so cool.” Lily is clearly impressed by my sister. Who wouldn't be?
“I enjoy it.”
“Trevor will find a place nearby and work remotely,” I tell Riley.
“Fine,” Riley says. “How long will you be in Paris?”
“We don’t know. Peter is arriving tomorrow morning, and we’ll go from there,” I tell her.
“We just got here, so I’m going to go take a shower and deplane. But it was really nice to finally meet you,” Lily tells Riley.
“You too.” Riley smiles at her sincerely.
“Later,” Lily says and flashes the screen a peace sign before standing.
“Use your aunt's bathroom. Trevor brought our bags in there,” I tell her.
“Bossy,” she says with a smile as she turns and leaves.
“I like her.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
“I wish I was there because Peter’s going to kill you.” Riley giggles into her cup.
“I don’t fucking care,” I grumble. “He’s on my fuck-them list.”
“What did he do?”
“It’s too long a story to tell you now.”
“Xavier.”
“I’ll tell you everything when Lily and I visit,” I say, attempting to placate her. “I promise.”
“You better.” She scowls at me. “When will that be?”
“I’m not sure how long this thing with Lily and Peter will take.”
“Is that how long Trevor will be babysitting me?” she asks, rolling her eyes.
“Yes. He’s already booked his flight and will be there by the time you get home from work tomorrow.”
“He didn’t tell me,” she scowls. “Well, lunch is almost over, and I need to get back to the office.”
“Love you,” I tell her. “See you soon.”
She blows a kiss at the camera and waves. “You too.”
The screen goes black.
After looking at the time, I make a few phone calls and plan a surprise for Lily tomorrow afternoon. I’m hoping I can help my princess enjoy her
time in Paris. I also check my emails and send a few quick replies.
“Sir, I hope you know I would never tell Riley anything that could endanger her,” Trevor says, walking into the room freshly showered.
“I know.”
“Do you mind if I go for a walk and get some fresh air?”
“No,” I say, standing from the couch. “I’m going to check on Lily. Why don’t you bring back a few groceries in case she’s hungry later.”
“I’ll take the key.” Trevor grabs the key that he had placed on the table by the door.
“Don’t hurry back,” I tell him as he opens the door.
He walks out calling back with a laugh, “I won’t.”
Making my way down the hall, I go in search of Lily. I plan on making the most of our time alone together. Finally getting back inside my woman and convincing her that she should stay with me are both first on the list.
I enter the bedroom slowly and see that Trevor has laid out my suitcase. There is a small pile of Lily’s new clothes on top of it. If we stay here in Paris longer than a day, she will definitely need some more. Fuck, I hate going shopping.
The bathroom door is closed, and I don’t hear the shower running. I have a feeling I am too late to join Lily.
I knock on the door before pushing it open slightly. “It’s just me.”
“Come in,” Lily calls out.
Walking into the large bathroom, I see Lily is standing by the vanity, wrapped only in a towel and rubbing lotion on her arms. I head toward the toilet and begin unbuckling my belt.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking a piss,” I say, lifting the toilet seat.
“I know my aunt has other bathrooms,” she says in an exasperated tone.
“But you’re in here, princess,” I tell her before I relieve my bladder. “Are you hungry?”
“No,” she answers, then utters my name tentatively. “Finn.”
I flush and then lower the toilet seat before turning around. Lily is facing me with one towel wrapped tightly across her body and another around her head like a turban.
“Yeah?”
“I-I’ve been thinking about what you asked, if I want to go with Peter or stay with you,” she says in a rush, crossing her arms against her chest and looking down when she finally gets out all the words.
