“You can’t know that. We can’t know that.”
“You remember when you are connected to things.” His hands move to my waist. “Do you feel connected to him?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Then you are not working for him. And we know you weren’t working for Neuville.”
“Why did I remember that day now?”
“You just found out your father was CIA this very evening. A high-level CIA operative who was murdered. Of course your mind is going there, but don’t read into it. The possible reasons for that encounter are many.”
“But it was important. That meeting is why I created the façade of being a schoolteacher. I needed to convince them that I wasn’t a problem.”
“?‘Them’ who?”
“I don’t know. The CIA, I think. Or maybe they were helping me hide. I hate this not knowing, so much! But more so, the idea that I was hiding from something that could have brought attention to Sara really worries me.”
“You would never put someone in danger, especially someone you care about.”
“I can’t risk her or anyone else. We can’t risk a mobster getting that necklace.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“I need to go to Paris.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“I have to go, Kayden. If conversation triggers memories, then seeing where I was will remind me—”
“No. And in case you didn’t get that—no.”
“You don’t get to make this decision.” I try to escape the cage of his body and the desk, only to have his hands come down on either side of me once more. “I’m serious, Kayden. You aren’t—”
“Neuville is hunting you.”
“And I have Evil Eye to protect me.”
“To avenge your death,” he says, “which isn’t going to happen because I won’t let it.”
“The threat of Evil Eye—”
“Won’t bring you back once you’re gone, and I do not plan on losing you.”
“I thought you said it protected me.”
“Never assume absolute protection, or you’ll let your guard down. I know you know that. Especially with people who are emotionally involved, like Neuville.”
“Emotionally involved?”
“No matter what he feels for you, you sliced his pride. You escaped. You beat him. Men like him don’t like to be beat.”
“We haven’t beat him yet, but we can. And we can’t do that if we go on like this. And I need to protect everyone. Sara is—”
“I’ve already told Matteo to coordinate protection for her, and she’ll never know we’re there.”
“For how long do we do this, Kayden?”
“As long as it takes.”