Page 110 of Retribution

He doesn't say anything else, but I assume he requests food with his phone because a minute later the doors open and a line of waiters in white and black bring multiple steaming dishes, setting them on the table.

'I didn't know what you would enjoy, so I took the liberty of choosing the finest dishes from my restaurant’s menu.'

'Thank you,' I say quietly, eyeing the lobster with distrust.

He peers at me. 'You seem—well rested.’

I wonder if he’s saying I haven’t been working hard enough.

‘I was in the lab all day from nine,’ I explain, a little affronted.

‘No, chéri. I mean, you look better,' he elaborates, and I get the sense that I’ve amused him. ‘Not so exhausted and pale. Not so…à moitié morthalf dead.’

‘Oh.’ I give him a wry grin. ‘I’d hope I do look better than when you first saw me,' I say with a self-deprecating chuckle.

He looks at his fingernails, making no move to touch the food yet, so I don’t either, even though I’m eyeing some bao buns and chicken skewers with interest.

'I have been watching your fiancé and his people— They are looking for you.'

My appetite evaporates immediately at his words. I shudder almost involuntarily, and I think he picks up on the action. His eyes narrow very slightly and he sits back, steeplinghis fingers. 'I shall have him killed for you, if you wish it, ma petite fleur.'

'Really? You’d do that?’ My eyebrows rise. ‘Why? We hardly know each other.'

‘It would solve many problems,' he says. ‘For you and for me.’

I glance at him and swallow hard.

‘Could you kill all of my enemies?' I ask, only half joking.

'If you wish it, Mademoiselle Evans,' he answers cryptically, 'but payment would be required. Only the first would be free.’

He smiles as if he’s made a joke, but I don’t get it.

‘Money?’ I ask.

'Perhaps, perhaps not,' he shrugs. ‘But I am not so selfless as I seem.’

My mind flashes to my conversation with his right hand man, Thomas, on the first day I came here regarding this French gangster’s bedroom proclivities.

'I do like you,' I say, watching him very closely to gauge his reaction, ‘and I know that I went into your bed cage the other day. I’m sorry if that gave you the wrong idea, Monsieur Sauvage, but I don’t want to…sleep in it with you. Our arrangement is purely business. Do you understand?’

He doesn’t seem upset. In fact, he throws back his head and laughs heartily.

'I do not want you there, chéri,’ he chuckles. ‘You are beautiful, but I am…a brown leaf, and you a new blossom. And call me Pierre. I will allow it in your case.'

I blink. 'Okay.’

He regards me impassively and shakes his head at me.

‘As I say, the Bandervilles search for you. Though,’ he cants his head as he looks at me, ‘it is odd.’

‘What is?’

‘The family. Their actions seem…desperate. Even Joseph, the father, he makes many enquiries around the city and beyond. Why do they want you back so badly? It is not love that motivates them, I think.’

I shake my head. ‘Pride?’ I say. ‘Maybe it’s about public appearances.’

Sauvage makes a noncommittal noise.