Mona Lisa's Room

by Vonnie Davis

  Niko kissed away her tears. “I don’t want another woman. I want you. We haven’t used birth control and we won’t. If a baby results, fine. If it doesn’t, fine also. Giving you up is not an option. You are part of my soul now. The best part. Don’t cry, mon amour. We belong together, child or no child.” He kissed the tender spot behind her ear and grazed the column of her neck with his teeth. A chill skittered across her skin while heat flamed inside; this man could make her feel contrasting sensations with a touch, a kiss or a look.

  His fingers plucked at her nipples, and desire pooled. “Now, about this belly dancing…”

  ****

  The next morning, Niko and Aly lay entwined in bed. He was slowly waking, enjoying the luxury of no alarm clock, no schedule and a naked Aly snuggled against him. His cell rang and he crawled out of bed to answer it, taking care not to waken her.

  “Hold on,” he whispered into the phone. He grabbed a pair of shorts and pulled them on before stepping into the hallway and heading for the balcony. “Okay, I’m back. What’s up?”

  “Problem.” Niko smiled. Jean-Luc had a succinct way of speaking sometimes.

  “Oh yeah? What?” Niko leaned against the wrought iron railing and glanced at the sky, wondering what kind of day he and Aly would have.

  “Her father and sister are here.”

  “Whose father and sister? Aly’s?”

  “Bingo!”

  “In Paris?” What were they doing here? This wasn’t the way he had things planned. What the hell?

  “Got in this morning. The father came in on an airplane. The sister rode her broom.”

  Niko pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let me guess, they want to see Aly.”

  “Oh, yeah. The father’s mad as hell. Did you know he’s a retired cop? Threatened to take, and I quote, my ‘steroid-induced muscled ass down.’”

  Niko snorted. “Keep them away from Henri. Don’t let anyone hear them talking about coming to see Aly. They’ll blow our story.” All of his well-laid plans would crumble, and Aly would again be in danger.

  “Step ahead of you, buddy. Soon as they walked in here, I took them to your house. No one else saw them. Which reminds me, the codes for the gates and your building are changed. I practically had to threaten the concierge with imprisonment to get her to do it. Got a pen?”

  Niko stepped back inside to get pen and paper. “Okay, give them to me.” Once he jotted them down, he went back onto the balcony so his end of the conversation wouldn’t wake Aly.

  “Look, you need to come back to Paris. Your mother’s doing her best to charm the old man, but he’s not having any of it. As for the sister, hell, I had to lock myself in the bathroom just to get away from her.”

  Niko laughed.

  “This ain’t funny, Reynard. You get your ass back here and deal with these two—especially Horney Hortense. I’m tellin’ you that woman is in major heat and she’s got her eyes locked on my crotch. Damn you for laughing. Damn all you sonsabitches!” The call ended.

  Niko turned his cell over and over in his hand. So, her family came to see for themselves Aly was alive and well. Guess he couldn’t blame them for that. He’d do the same thing for a family member. Odd Jean-Luc had such a strong reaction to Gwen. When he held that brief conversation with her over the phone several days ago, he found her very personable, nosy maybe, in a sisterly way, but nice all the same.

  Still, the arrival of Aly’s father and sister was something he hadn’t expected. No doubt Aly would want to return to Paris right away. His gaze took in the English Channel and the beach. He wasn’t ready to leave Villerville. Marie-Clare was right. This was a healing place. Aly had a measure of healing here, and so had he. For the first time in two years, he felt at peace about Hae-Won and his part in her death. All because of the American woman he loved.

  Aly wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his back. “What’s up? I missed your body heat in bed.”

  He turned and drew her into his arms. “Good morning, mon amour. How are you feeling?” He kissed her several times, wishing he could take her back to bed and make sweet love. Once she knew her family was in Paris, she’d want to see them.

  “Jean-Luc called. Your father and sister arrived in Paris this morning.”

  “Dad? Gwen? In Paris?”

  “Yeah, looks like our vacation is over. Let’s shower and pack. We’ll eat breakfast at Le Petite Café and then drive back to the city. I’m sure you’re eager to see them.” Dread slipped into his heart, stealthy and ominous. Would the progress he made in winning her heart be undone once she was under the influence of her family?

  Their ride back to Paris was quiet. Aly seemed lost in her thoughts. Niko wanted to escape his. What if her family convinced her to leave France and him for her return to the States? No doubt that’s why they were here; to take Aly back to Asheville. Would he be able to convince them how dangerous that could be? He glanced at her, sitting there with her eyes facing straight ahead and her hands clasped primly in her lap. He could almost hear the gears grinding in her head.

  If she left him, what would he do? Now that he knew her, had gotten a taste of her and watched her eyes glaze over with passion, could he live without her? Their relationship was more than sex, much more. He needed her strength and her way of looking at the heart of things. Being with her made him happy; she completed him. Simply put, he needed her in every way.

  Yet, sometimes love wasn’t enough to keep people together. Sometimes things or some other person tore them apart. How would he live without the sound of her laughter? The warmth of her touch. Her strength and softness he loved so much. How?

  “I hope Dad’s not being his usual rude self to your maman. He can be rather acerbic at times.” She shifted in her seat and looked at him. “You’re worried, aren’t you? You’re afraid I’ll go back home with them.”

  Once more she zinged to the heart of the matter. “You’ll need a passport to leave France.”

  “Can I get one with my new French I.D.?”

  Cold fear bungee jumped from his heart. “Would you leave me? After all that’s happened between us, would you leave me, mon amour?”

  “Would it matter if I did?”

  Niko yanked the car off the highway and jerked the gearshift into Park. He stared straight ahead for a few heartbeats, willing himself to calm. “I could shake you. I’ve told you how I feel. Told you over and over how much I love you. I’m buying an apartment for you, a business. I’ve asked you to stay with me forever. Shared things with you I couldn’t or wouldn’t share with anyone else. Why do you think I did that?” He turned and grabbed her shoulders. “Why?”

  He hauled her to him and kissed her, roughly at first and then gentling. Pulling away, he sighed in resignation. “I can’t force you to stay with me if you don’t want to. We both know that.” He shrugged and began shutting down. “Do what your heart tells you.” He put the car in gear and checked his mirrors. “You already know what’s in my heart.” He pulled the car out into the stream of traffic.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Late-afternoon sun glistened diamonds on the Seine causing Alyson’s eyes to squint when Niko drove across the bridge to ĺle Saint Louis. The glare from the sun and the palpable tension in the car intensified her headache. Niko hadn’t spoken a single word since his speech along the side of the road. Waves of anger shimmered around him like a passion-red aura. The man simply didn’t understand.

  Yes, she loved him. To stay in Paris with him would no doubt be wonderful—if she could stay as Alyson Moore. To stay as Cally Aukland and live a lie was just too difficult. She based her life on codes her dad instilled: hard work, honesty, reliability and devotion to God, family and country. If she stayed, pretending she was someone she wasn’t and abandoned her family and country, what kind of person did that make her? A counterfeit just like Chaz.

  For more than twelve years he pretended he was someone he wasn’t. That lie destroyed her happiness, so how could she build
a new and happy existence by essentially doing the same thing? She couldn’t. Still, that didn’t change the fact she loved Niko with a passion or that she wanted to stay with him. Just not as another woman, but the strong, sensual woman she became during her short stay in France.

  Niko eased the car to a stop at the wooden double doors, tugged a slip of paper from his pocket and entered the security code. The doors slowly opened, and he drove in—silent, mad as hell and distant.

  When they entered the Reynard apartment, her dad’s thunderous voice vibrated from the salon to the entry hall. Viviana’s lyrical voice replied, adding a nice counterpoint. Niko set their luggage on the entryway floor and ushered her into the salon.

  “Niko, Aly, you’re back!” Relief was evident in Viviana’s face. Whether she was simply happy to see them or greatly relieved to pawn her loud American guest, Tony Tofolli, off to his daughter remained a mystery.

  Her dad stood and hurried to her, his arms outstretched. “Buttercup! Thank God. Thank God.” He wrapped her in his arms, drew her to him and sobbed.

  Aly was shocked and touched by her dad’s reaction.

  “Daddy, I’m fine. There’s no need for this.” She hadn’t called him daddy since she went off to college, but she felt he needed to hear it again. Her tears were flowing, too. Gwen rushed over and flung her arms around both of them. They stood in a group hug, sobbing, swaying and kissing.

  For a few days, she feared she’d never see them again. Now, here they were. Emotions of love, relief and security swelled and poured out.

  “Let me look at you, buttercup.” Her dad pulled away from the group hug, tugged a folded handkerchief from his back pocket, wiped his eyes and blew his nose. “Can’t say much for that new hairdo, but girl, you are a sight for sore eyes.”

  Gwen planted several kisses on Alyson’s face. The two sisters stood, their arms wrapped around each other’s waist. “Now, Dad, I think she looks rather chic.”

  “That’s what Niko said. He likes it.” She glanced over at Niko. He was standing with his hands in his designer jeans pockets, a look of defensiveness on his face and the emotion in his eyes unreadable.

  Her dad turned and glared at Niko. “So you’re him, huh? The man who was supposed to protect my little girl and allowed her to get shot.”

  Alyson bit the inside of her cheek to keep the grin from forming. Forty years old and dad was still calling her his little girl.

  Niko winced briefly before stepping forward, his hand outstretched. “Yes, I’m Captain Niko Reynard. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.” The two shook hands, and it was obvious they were taking measure of each other.

  “I’ve got a lot of questions to ask you, young man.”

  “Fair enough. Sir, shall we step into the den so I can apprise you of the situation at hand?” He turned to Jean-Luc. “You’ll be joining us. I’ll want to hear what’s happened while I’ve been gone. Maman, I think Aly could use some tea and some aspirins. I fear she has a headache.”

  How did he know?

  Obviously, he was trying to show everyone, including himself, he was in control of the state of affairs. Control was as important to him as her routines had once been for her. Because she cared so much for this man, her heart went out to him. She walked over and placed her hand on his arm. Tension vibrated. For a brief few seconds, his emotions poured from his eyes when they locked on hers, and then they shuttered again, closing her out.

  “Gentlemen.” Niko walked into an adjoining room. Jean-Luc and her dad followed, the door closing quietly behind them.

  Viviana breezed kisses on Alyson’s cheeks. “How are you feeling, dear?”

  “Better. Stronger. Our time in Villerville was just what I needed.”

  “Come sit.” She led Alyson to one of the sofas. “Villerville. That is along the English Channel, is it not? I will put the water on for tea, and then you must tell me all about your vacation. Gwen, would you like tea, also?”

  “Yes, please.” Gwen sat next to Alyson. “I’m so glad we came. For a while I didn’t think we’d get to see you. Everyone was being so secretive, especially that hunk, Jean-Luc. Dad was so annoyed, kept grumbling under his breath about ‘damned Frenchmen.’”

  “I was afraid he’d insult everyone. I’ve been treated so well here. Niko’s family is wonderful.”

  “Tell me everything.” Gwen nudged Alyson with her shoulder. “I knew Niko was handsome from the pictures you e-mailed me, but up close and personal, he’s make-your-panties-damp gorgeous. Not as good-looking as his coworker, Jean-Luc, though.” She waved her hand in front of her face as if to cool herself. “Oh, if I could have that man and all his muscles for twelve hours, he’d never be the same again.”

  “Hush. What if Viviana hears you?” Alyson glanced toward the doorway. “What pictures are you talking about? I never e-mailed you any pictures.”

  “You most certainly did. In your last e-mail when you told me about the gay poet and the German artist. You sent me a picture of your new Pradas and another of you and Niko together. I knew as soon as I saw the picture of the two of you that you’d have an affair.” Gwen leaned closer and whispered. “What was he like? Did he turn you inside out with need? You did take my advice and have an affair, didn’t you?”

  Had she? Was that all she shared with Niko these last few days? An affair? A brief, meaningless affair?

  Gwen lifted Alyson’s hand and squeezed it. “Earth to Alyson. Are you paying attention?”

  “I fell in love.” She turned her gaze on Gwen. “I fell in love.”

  “Love? So soon? This isn’t you. You never make a quick decision about anything. Now you’re telling me you’ve fallen in love in two week’s time?”

  “I’m not the same person. I’ve changed. Life can be so short.” Suddenly jumbled, fractured feelings slid into an orderly picture. Feelings coalesced into an understandable design.

  Viviana came back into the salon, carrying a tray with tea and pastries. “I had Simone bring some pastries over earlier before she went to work.”

  Loud voices emanated from Niko’s office. Viviana set the tray onto the coffee table. “Oh, dear, sounds like things aren’t going well.”

  “The hell she will!”

  Alyson would recognize her dad’s booming voice anywhere.

  “Excuse me.” She rose, marched to the door of Niko’s office and entered. Three heads swiveled in her direction. Male egos flashed neon “Danger” signs. Anger vibes ricocheted off the walls. Testosterone dripped onto the oriental carpet. Eyes snapped and jaws were clenched. Things were not going well at all.

  “Pardon me, gentlemen, but Niko and I have some unfinished business.”

  She went to the man she loved and surprised him by curving her hand around the back of his neck and pulling him toward her waiting lips. She kissed him in front of her dad, knowing she shocked him. Frankly, she didn’t care. She had to prove something to herself—and to Niko. What they shared in Villerville was not a brief, casual affair.

  Niko pulled back a fraction of an inch and murmured against her lips, “God, cherie, I never needed anything more.” Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and took control.

  When the kiss ended, she turned in his arms and faced her scowling dad. Niko kept his arms around her waist, pulling her tight against the solid wall of his chest.

  “So, that’s the way the wind blows, is it?” Her dad had his hands on his hips.

  “Yes, Dad, that’s the way the wind blows. I love Niko and trust him. I want you to trust his judgment, too.”

  “He says you’re stayin’ here in Paris. That so?”

  Niko pulled her tighter against him in a proprietary gesture before she spoke. This couldn’t be easy for him. In an equally proprietary signal, she reached behind her and rested her palm on his muscled thigh. In her opinion, they both needed that physical connection.

  “That’s still up for discussion. I understand his logic in this matter, but I don’t know if I can live a lie by prete
nding I’m someone I’m not.” Being in the security of Niko’s arms strengthened her. They really were two halves of a whole; something she never experienced with Chaz.

  “I’ll probably stay for a couple of months. However that’s a decision Niko and I have to make together. I won’t be railroaded into anything, by either of you. Is that clear?”

  “Buttercup, you’re an American. Surely you wouldn’t think of staying here in Paris.”

  “A woman stays with her husband, Mr. Tofolli. I plan to marry your daughter.”

  Her dad’s face turned beet red. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”

  “Look, I’m forty years old. I make my own decisions. The two of you need to stop snapping at each other and cooperate.” She turned and placed her palm on Niko’s cheek. Her words were low, meant only for the man she loved. “Tell Dad everything. Make him listen. He’s a retired policeman and a good man, stud muffin. Much like you.”

  He covered her hand with his and nodded. “I will, cherie. I’ll do anything for you, you know that.”

  Alyson leaned forward and kissed his neck, inhaling the scent of him. “Yes. Yes, I do, my stud muffin.” She walked toward her dad. “I know this is a shock, my falling in love so quickly. Please understand he has many of the same fine qualities you have. You both believe in fighting for what’s right. You both love your countries and your families. How could I not love him?”

  Tears pooled in her dad’s eyes.

  “I expect you to listen. Ask questions in a nice way. Please, Dad, do this for me.” She kissed his cheek, and he patted her shoulder.

  Both Viviana and Gwen were standing in the open doorway but stepped back to let her pass through. Viviana was the first to speak. “Forget the tea, I’m getting a bottle of champagne.”

  As soon as Gwen saw Niko’s mother leave the room, she hugged Alyson. “What in God’s name has happened to you? The old Alyson would never have voiced her opinion like that or stood up to Dad.”

  “I told you. I’ve changed.” She took her seat again on the sofa. “I love Niko. It’s just that simple. With his help, I’ve also learned to love the woman I’ve hidden away all these years. He’s the first man who only sees the good in me.”