Page 20 of Retribution

Sauvage makes another noise of impatience and stands fluidly. ‘There is nowhere, not in thisplace. Perhaps at theuniversity, but that lab was ruined too, non? It is…out of action.’

He waves a hand.

‘And who is responsible for the destruction of your club? Who came into your house andfuckedwith you? Do you know? Do you find out? No,’ he snarls. ‘You play the good boyfriends, staying with thisMarguerite, this pretty petite fleur of yours, while she languishes in l'hôpital. Enfants idiots!Silly children!’

My eyes find Shade before I can stop them. I figured that he must have known about Daisy, but hearing him say her name… I feel sick. If he threatens her, all bets are off. If I kill him, I will probably die for it, but he isn’t going to get his hands on her.

‘So, I now must play the bon père!The good father. I will find this enemy of ours. I will ensure he no longer is a problem in my well-oiled machine, d'accordokay? But,’ he levels us with a sharp look, ‘you make the product in my lab.’

‘No,’ Shade snarls. ‘We have enough for a month. We’ll find a place before then. There won’t be a problem with supply.’

This is the first time I’ve heard him speak to Sauvage like this, so I know he must be reeling about him mentioning Daisy by name just as I am.

‘Non?’ Sauvage smiles. ‘You are in no position to be saying ‘non’ to me, Novelle.’

Mav sits forward. ‘We cannot make Envy in a lab you control. It’s a conflict of interest.’

Now, Sauvage laughs. ‘Perhaps, but you have no other option. How will you make it without one? You do not think.’

He taps the side of his head with his middle finger and raises a brow as he sits back in his chair. ‘Or, perhaps, you think but not with the heads on your shoulders. This petite fleur leads you with le chather pussy.’

I’m standingbefore I realize it. ‘You don’t speak about her!’

Behind me, I hear the door bang open, but Sauvage is already on his feet and leaning over the table with his hands braced on the top.

‘Sit down, boy!’ he roars.

I feel the barrel of a gun at the back of my head, and I do as he says, sinking down hard, my fists clenched in front of me.

‘My stepsister isn’t part of this. She’s a Novelle and my father?—’

Sauvage erupts into genuine laughter. ‘Your father, he does not care about his late wife’s daughter, I think. He does not watch her. He does not even know that you and your friends arewithher. Her fiancé, though…,’ he tuts. ‘In true French style, you play with fire, my friends.’

He gives an uncharacteristic wry grin. ‘Ah,amour. Perhaps that’s why I like you. But you are young, and the young must be taught. I do not think you will like the lessons of the bon père.’

He sits down again. ‘My men, my detectives, already they look into the club. They will find the ones who did this. Of them, they will make an example. I do this for you. You will use my lab to make Envy for me. You will thank me for this.’

He waves a hand.

‘I will even give you the keys. I will not have you watched. There are no cameras for me to steal your recipe. I do not carehowyou make it. Only that it is made. You have obligations. As do I. We do not have time for these problems.’ His eyes narrow. ‘I do not like to threaten, but you will do as you are told, or you will buy out our agreement. Tell me, do you have the money to do this?’

‘No,’ Shade grinds out.

‘Non,’ Sauvage echoes innocently. ‘Of course you do not.It is a large sum. Perhaps your father could afford this price? Shall I ask him?’

Shade is silent for a moment too long before he says a quiet, ‘No.’

‘I thought not.’ Sauvage shrugs. ‘In truth, there is no discussion to be had here. You are, how you Americans say,between a rock and a hard place. I am a fair man, but to confuse my fairness for weakness would be une erreura mistake. For you and for your petite fleur.’

We say nothing as the door opens on some unspoken command.

‘You will receive details of my lab. Do not ignore them, or I may have cause to go to the hospital, perhaps.’

Shade stands. ‘We’ll use your lab.’

Sauvage doesn’t gloat, just nods like it was a foregone conclusion.

I guess it was.