“Do you need help?”
“Yes,” I say. “I need to make sure Sara is safe.”
“You have my attention, and my resources. My men are the best of the best. Those with me on this trip are ex-FBI and ex-SEAL.”
We tell him the story, including my fake life that brought me together with Sara. Blake asks a lot of good, thoughtful questions that do much to give me confidence in his ability to protect her. “All right, then,” he says. “And I take it you aren’t going to tell me what this is ultimately about, or how you plan to resolve it?”
“Not a chance in hell,” Kayden says.
“Right to the fucking point,” Blake says. “I respect that. Now. How long are Chris and Sara in danger?”
“We don’t know that they are in danger,” Kayden says. “But we want to keep it that way.”
“I could get them on a plane out of Paris tonight,” Blake says, “but that’s going to get press, since Chris is headlining a huge charity event at the Louvre Saturday night.”
“That’s three days from now, counting Saturday,” I say. “That’s too long. I want them out of there.”
“No,” Kayden says. “If they skip that show, it tells Neuville that Sara is important to you. We don’t want her getting on his radar, because once that happens she won’t get off.”
“Kayden, I don’t like this,” I say.
“Trust me, sweetheart. This is no different from not going on lockdown here. We need to act like all things are as usual.”
“Sara’s been on Neuville’s radar in the past,” Blake says. “He had her followed at one point, thinking she would lead him to Ella, and there was even a confrontation between Sara, Chris, and Neuville.”
“When?” Kayden asks.
“Four months ago,” Blake replies.
“Then we damn sure don’t want to give him a reason to look at her again,” Kayden says. “But if he’s looked into her in the past, he could be doing it now, and he might well try to grab her. But he could do that in the States, when everyone’s guard is down, too. At least here, you have your men and I’ve got a half dozen to help you.”
“Are you suggesting we keep them in Paris until you resolve this?” Blake asks.
“No,” Kayden says. “Get them on a plane Sunday morning. We’ll ensure Neuville is distracted then. If all goes well, I’ll contact you before you land and tell you this is over. But right now, you need to get back to Paris discreetly. I’ll get you on a private jet that wo
n’t be traced. Don’t connect Sara to Ella, and being here now could do that. Protect your client.”
“I have men in Paris to protect Sara and Chris,” he says. “My client wants me to protect Ella.”
“I’m CIA, Blake,” I say. “I can handle myself.”
“Then I’m just a little extra backup,” he offers.
I reach toward him, yank open his jacket, and take his gun.
“Fuck,” he growls.
“I can protect myself,” I say.
“I let you do that,” he counters.
I offer him his gun. “You did not let me. Protect Sara.”
He takes his gun and holsters it. “My client—”
“I’ll pay you double what they’re paying,” Kayden states. “But you protect them—not Ella.”
“Chris Merit’s a billionaire, man,” he says. “You don’t want to pay me double.”