Redemption

by Jennifer Bene

  The process through customs was surprisingly smooth. He’d been expecting inspections, some kind of intense interview, but it had been easy. Showing his passport to the man in the booth, Lianna answered that they were visiting her family, and they were waved through to get their bags.

  “Jean-Luc said he would have someone here for us,” Lianna said as they followed the line of other passengers heading toward the pick-up area.

  “Great,” he replied, trying not to sound bitter as he hefted his backpack higher on his shoulder. When they stepped out of the hallway, he’d been looking for a guy in a suit with a sign that said ‘Mercier’ or something like that… but that wasn’t what waited for them.

  It was a small crowd, holding up big poster-sized signs that said ‘Welcome Lianna!’ and ‘Happy Birthday!’ as they cheered and waved at her from behind the metal railing separating arriving passengers from the people waiting.

  “Oh my God!” Lianna shouted, her smile spreading as she let out a laugh. “I can’t believe you all came here!”

  “Do you really think we’d miss the chance to welcome you properly?” Jean-Luc asked, tilting his head toward the opening in the railing with a broad smile. “Come, everyone wants to meet you.”

  David followed her as she dragged her suitcase toward them, and as soon as she passed the railing, Lianna was immediately enveloped by the Faure family. They hugged her, cheered her name, everyone talking over each other in a rapid mix of English and French. All smiles, they looked like a normal family welcoming someone home.

  Bullshit.

  Leaning against the railing, he studied each of them, trying to place them in his mind. He recognized many of their faces from the photographs Jean-Luc had sent to Lianna, but the names of the younger generation were fuzzy. The only one he knew for sure was Rémi, the future head of the family. And, of course, Jean-Luc and his wife Cécile.

  All four of Jean-Luc’s children were there, as well as Rémi’s wife and their twins, and Lianna was instantly drawn to the chubby-cheeked toddlers, cooing and talking to them as she took one of their hands. She blended in with the Faures effortlessly. It was like they’d known each other for years, and he hated how easy it seemed to be for her.

  Suck it up, David. You’re not going to fuck up this early.

  One of Jean-Luc’s daughters turned away from the group to look at him. “You’re David, right?”

  “Yeah,” he replied, stiffening when she quickly closed the gap between them to pull him into a hug, pressing a kiss to each of his cheeks as he stood frozen.

  “We’re so glad you could come!” she cheered. “I’m Emilie.”

  “Hi.” Clearing his throat, he tried to smile a little as the dark-haired woman just stared at him, looking sincerely happy to have him there.

  “Yes, we’re very glad you could join Lianna this week,” Jean-Luc said, but David didn’t believe that for a minute. Turning toward his family, he pointed at each of them in turn. “This is my wife, Cécile. Our eldest son, Rémi, and his wife Amanda. Their children Gabriel and Zoé. And my other children Anaelle, Mathieu, and of course, Emilie.”

  “Nice to meet you,” David forced out, holding onto his smile even though a muscle in his jaw twitched from the effort. Lianna stepped back to hook her arm through his, squeezing it, and he felt a tiny bit better with her by his side.

  “Well, we can all talk once we’re back home!” Cécile said, waving toward the exit. “Allons y!”

  “Come on, baby,” Lianna whispered, pressing a kiss to his shoulder as Jean-Luc took her suitcase in hand. “You’re doing great.”

  “Thanks,” he muttered, following the family as they led the way out of the airport. He’d hoped to have some time on the ground to prepare for meeting them, but he should have known Jean-Luc wouldn’t allow him even that.

  No, the man was already doing his best to woo Lianna into their family, and David was completely outnumbered.

  Shifting to take Lianna’s hand in his, he squeezed tightly, focusing on her perfect blue eyes and her warm smile as she looked up at him. “I love you,” he whispered, needing to say it aloud, to remind himself of why he was doing this.

  “I love you, too, baby,” she replied, leaning up to kiss his cheek, and he trailed his gaze over the necklace, trying to remind himself that this was just a week.

  Just a week in Hell, and then they’d be back home. Alone. Together.

  I can do this.

  Three

  Lianna

  The views of the Cote d’Azur had been tempting as they drove away from the airport, heading toward Provence where Jean-Luc’s family lived. Her face must have shown what she was thinking, because Cécile had promised to bring them back to enjoy the shopping in Nice and see the beaches, even though the ocean would likely be too cold for a dip.

  In the back row of the SUV, she’d kept David’s hand in hers the entire time, squeezing whenever she felt him grow tense. He’d been completely silent since the airport, and she knew he was uncomfortable. This was his personal nightmare, but the fact that he was doing this for her only made her love him more.

  He’s trying, and that’s all I can ask.

  Everything would have gone smoother if they’d had the drive to the estate to talk, to spend some time together, but she hadn’t known Jean-Luc was going to show up. Having the entire family waiting for them had been a huge surprise, and she’d been so overwhelmed by meeting all of them that it had taken her too long to rescue David from the fringes of the group. It would have been better if Jean-Luc had just sent a driver like she’d expected… but everyone had seemed so excited to meet her. They’d hugged her, wished her a happy birthday, and it was almost like they saw her as family already — which felt both odd and wonderful at the same time.

  At least the drive hadn’t become awkward. The countryside of France was breathtaking, and she hoped David was enjoying it too. His eyes stayed glued out the window at the rolling hills while she’d talked with Cécile and Jean-Luc. It wasn’t like they discussed anything serious. Their conversation was mostly about the flight and the various vineyards and farms they passed on the forty-minute drive to their estate. But when it came into view, even David sat up straight.

  The high, stone walls surrounding the ornate gate were impressive, and Cécile turned back to smile at her. “I can’t wait to show you our home, Lianna!”

  “We live in the main house, but there are a few other buildings on the property,” Jean-Luc added as the gate opened and they led the small caravan up the drive. Rémi and his wife and kids were behind them in another SUV, and the rest of her cousins brought up the rear in a third one. Each vehicle had their own driver, and Lianna had no doubt that each man was armed. Their serious expressions had made it clear they were protection of some kind — which only proved David’s concerns about her family further.

  But they had nothing to worry about on the estate.

  “We have a room prepared for you and David in the main house, but if you’d like to be in the guest house, I’m sure—”

  “We’re happy wherever you put us,” Lianna replied, smiling apologetically for cutting Cécile off. “I promise.”

  “We are all so happy you’ve come to visit. The children have been looking forward to it since Jean-Luc first mentioned it.” Cécile reached over to squeeze her husband’s arm, and Jean-Luc looked over at her with a face that only showed love.

  They’re my family. My aunt and uncle.

  The words felt so foreign in her head. Weird. But she was quickly distracted again as the main house came into view. It was huge, a beautiful stone façade that looked so natural in the lush greenery of the Provence countryside.

  “Wow,” she whispered, leaning between Jean-Luc and Cécile’s seats to see better. “This is gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, Lianna,” Jean-Luc replied, turning to smile at her before he faced front again.

  The large, circular drive in front of the house had more than enough room for the trio of cars to pul
l up and stop, and as soon as the car halted, their driver immediately got out, walking around to open Cécile’s door instead of Jean-Luc’s. It was a small gesture, but Lianna couldn’t help but smile as Jean-Luc let himself out of the car, holding it open for her to exit between the seats.

  “Come, come, mon oisillon,” Jean-Luc said, taking her hand to help her down. The house was sprawling, two stories tall, and another smaller house was situated a little behind it to the left.

  David’s hand slid into hers, pulling her attention back to him, and she squeezed tightly as Jean-Luc approached Cécile.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked, and David nodded stiffly, eyes moving over the huge home and the others as they gathered at the foot of the steps. His back was rigid, his jaw set firmly, and she leaned up to kiss his cheek again before she whispered in his ear. “I’m right here, baby.”

  “Just don’t let him separate us,” David replied, his intense gaze meeting hers, and she squeezed his hand more firmly as he added, “Please.”

  Lianna couldn’t fight the grin that spread over her lips as he actually said please to her, but she didn’t rub it in. “I promise.”

  “Good,” he said, tilting his head toward the entrance where her family was gathered. “They’re waiting for you.”

  “For us,” she corrected, but he let out a huff under his breath, and she knew he didn’t believe that for a second. Approaching the group, she smiled for both of them, gesturing with her free hand. “This is so beautiful! It must be amazing to live here all the time.”

  “It’s okay,” Emilie answered, shrugging. “It would be better if we weren’t so far from everything.”

  “Emilie,” Rémi chastised, rolling his eyes at his sister as he shifted Gabriel on his hip. “What my sister meant to say is thank you, and we love our home also. It’s been in the family for generations, and my father has done quite a bit with the land.”

  “Oh, really?” she asked, glancing at Jean-Luc. “Like what?”

  “Nothing much, but all of these are things we can discuss inside,” Jean-Luc replied, smiling at his family as he waved everyone toward the front door, where another man in a suit was already holding it open. As everyone headed in, speaking in rapid French to each other, David hesitated.

  “What is it, baby?” she asked, but David just took a slow breath and shook his head.

  “Nothing.” Tightening his grip on her hand, he started up the steps with her. When they stepped inside, she looked up at him to find his jaw clenched tight as he looked around.

  Jean-Luc’s home was immaculate. Tiles worn smooth by time covered the floor, but they were spotless. The large foyer branched off into numerous rooms, with a staircase leading up to the second floor at the far end of it. Everything was a quiet statement of wealth, from the art on the walls to the obviously antique pieces of furniture she could see — and she knew David hated it.

  She could almost hear him describing the blood money that paid for all of it.

  The items inside, the estate surrounding the house, and each of the silent men in suits that lurked at the fringes of the family’s bustling conversation were the result of the Faure family’s dark past — but Jean-Luc had assured her those days were done. They were moving forward, doing things in a new way, and regardless… this was her family.

  The only family she had left, and she wanted to get to know them.

  “Pardon,” one of the guards said as two men came in the door behind them, forcing her and David to shift to the side so they could bring in their luggage before shutting the door.

  “Merci,” Lianna replied, smiling at them, and the man nodded at her before he helped the other one line up their bags to one side, waiting for their next orders like soldiers.

  “Lianna, I can’t wait to show you the view from the terrace!” Emilie said, stepping away from her siblings to face them.

  “We’ve actually had lunch prepared on the terrace, and the view really is lovely,” Cécile added.

  “After lunch we can give you a tour. Do you like horses?” Anaelle asked, looking over at her.

  “I don’t think we’re going to have time for her to see the horses today,” Rémi said, giving his sister a look.

  “How about we let Lianna and David settle into their room, and then they’ll come down and join us for lunch.” Jean-Luc stepped forward, taking control of the room with an apologetic smile. “I’m sure you’re a little overwhelmed and would like to freshen up before we all eat. We’ll be out on the terrace when you’re ready.”

  “It’s just through there,” Cécile said, pointing at the hall that went alongside the wide staircase. “Phillipe and Tomás will help you up to your room. No rush to join us, we’ll start lunch on our own so you won’t have to hurry.”

  “Thank you.” Lianna gave everyone a quick wave as the large family moved down the hallway, but Jean-Luc stayed back with her and David.

  “I apologize. All of my children want to get to know you, and I don’t think they realize just how overwhelming they can be.” Chuckling, he spread his hands a little. “Cécile and I have been outnumbered by them for years, so we’re familiar with the feeling.”

  “They’re very sweet,” Lianna said, smiling as she felt David’s grip on her hand turn into a vise. “I definitely feel welcome.”

  “That is all we’d hoped to do, mon oisillon.” Taking a few steps backward, Jean-Luc gestured at the staircase. “As Cécile said, please take your time upstairs. You can join us at the table when you’re ready.”

  “We appreciate it,” she answered, trying to flex her fingers as Jean-Luc turned and disappeared down the hall, but David wouldn’t let go.

  “Follow, please,” one of the guards said, his English somewhat stilted, as he lifted her suitcase with David’s backpack over his shoulder and led them upstairs.

  David

  “How are you doing?” Lianna asked as she hung up clothes in the closet.

  “I’m fine,” he answered, moving more of their things into the adjoining bathroom. She’d brought several bags of stuff. Make-up and products and hair crap, while he only had one small toiletry bag with everything he needed.

  “Don’t lie to me.” She had her arms crossed when he turned around, body braced against the doorframe of the bathroom so he couldn’t move past without moving her.

  “I am fine, Lianna. I’m still glad that I came with you.” Gesturing out the door, he sighed. “Can I finish moving all your shit in here?”

  “You don’t have to lie to me, David. I know how you feel about them, and I appreciate—”

  “Stop.” Catching her arm, he yanked her back against him when she tried to walk away, locking her against his chest. “If I have a problem, I’ll tell you. But if you call me a liar again, I’m gonna light your ass up. Got it?”

  Wide blue eyes stared up at him for a moment, and he loved the way her breathing picked up. He loved the way she responded to him, the way she melted against him even though she was annoyed. “I got it,” she whispered.

  “Good girl.” Leaning down, he kissed her hard, taking control as he pressed her back against the doorframe.

  This is what he’d wanted to do on the plane.

  Reaching between her legs, he stroked over her pants, fighting a grin when a quiet moan slipped past her lips as he found her clit. “You still sore, angel?”

  “Yes,” she panted, kissing him again as her hips pressed forward, urging him on.

  “Good. That means this will hurt.” Grabbing her thighs, he picked her up, sliding her up the bit of wall beside the bathroom door until he could wrap her legs around his waist. Pulling away from the wall, he walked them over to the bed, dropping her on it, but just as he climbed between her legs, she sat up and pushed at his chest.

  “No way. We cannot do this right now.”

  “I’m pretty sure we can.” Pointing down at the growing erection tenting the front of his pants, he smiled a little and pushed her back to the bed. “Be a good girl fo
r me, Lianna.”

  “David…” Groaning, she squirmed under him as he shoved her sweater up, licking and kissing his way up her ribs. “Stop, seriously. We have to go downstairs.”

  “They told us to take our time,” he mumbled against her skin, biting her nipple through the thin covering of her bra. Another sweet whine left her, but then she shoved at his shoulders, scooting back on the bed to sit up.

  “Stop, stop, stop. They’re waiting for us! Come on, we can do this later.” Flipping around, Lianna climbed off the other side of the bed while he rolled onto his back with a sigh.

  “I don’t think they’d notice if we took another ten minutes to—”

  “Since when do you ever finish with me in ten minutes?” Lianna laughed, grinning wickedly at him as she adjusted her sweater.

  “I could make an exception,” he suggested, but she just rolled her eyes and walked into the bathroom.

  “Stop trying to drag me into bed, David. I’m not an idiot. You’re just trying to distract me from the conversation you’re refusing to have.” The sound of one of her little bags being unzipped was followed by muttering. “I look like a complete mess.”

  “You look beautiful,” he called out to her as she turned on the water. Groaning, he looked down at his dick pressing at his zipper and willed it to go away.

  Was he trying to distract her? Probably. But it wasn’t like going downstairs sounded even remotely as fun as making her scream. He’d already spent almost an hour trapped in a car with Jean-Luc and his wife, listening to them make small talk with Lianna as if they weren’t the heads of one of the most infamous crime families on the planet. Now they had a lunch planned, on the terrace. The entire family was a fucking joke. Crime lords pretending to be aristocrats on their fancy estate.

  “Don’t you want to change your clothes? Clean up a little?” Lianna asked, stepping out of the bathroom with a toothbrush in hand.