Page 60 of Nobody's Girl

Grant had been back in Paris for two days now and after enjoying a low-level stalking of Sofia yesterday – and seeing her obviously spooked – he had seen Ivo Zacca in a cab. He assumed Zacca was flying back to the States – he’d read the funeral notice for his movie star mother. Did this mean Sofia was alone?

Alone and unprotected. Grant’s whole body itched to see her, touch her. He waited now, outside the hotel, hidden in a doorway for her to come out. He’d wait all day. if he had to, but an hour after his vigil began, he saw her leave the hotel. A man, a shaggy, scruffy looking guy, was with her and they were chatting, obviously close. It had to be Jonas Rutland. He could see the resemblance between the man and Tamara. Fuck it.

Calm yourself. If you kill her now, that’s it. Over. Your killing ground is ready and waiting for her. Would he risk taking her now? When the world’s attention was on the Zacca family? No. Don’t ruin this.

He followed them as they walked through the city and stopped when they entered an apartment building in the 3rd Arrondissement. High-class, expensive. Grant frowned. This was new – who the hell was she visiting here? He decided to check out who it was…and how useful they would prove in his mission to destroy Sofia Amory Zacca.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Clemence hugged Sofia. “Bonjour, darling, it’s been too long. I’m so sorry about Adria. If it wasn’t for the baby, I would have flown to Los Angeles for the funeral.”

“Ivo didn’t want to put family through the big show funeral. Walter and he decided we would celebrate Adria’s privately, once the papers have lost interest. Clemence, this is my brother, Jonas.”

Jonas shook hands with the other woman and Sofia was amused to see his face grow red as Clemence kissed his cheek.

“It’s good to meet you…please, both of you, come in.”

She led them into the living room. Another young woman was sitting at a desk typing. “Sofia, Jonas, this is Mireille, my research assistant. “

The young woman, dark hair piled up on top of her head, a pencil securing it, huge black-rimmed glasses perched on her face got up and shook their hands. “Can I get you some tea?”

Clemence smiled at her. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Mireille grinned. “Not at all. Clemence is my mentor at school, so I’m pretending to pamper her in the last weeks of her pregnancy so I can pick her brain. Tea all around?”

She disappeared into Clemence’s kitchen and Clemence offered them a seat. “Sofia, before we talk about anything else…I’m sorry for the thing with Walter. I’m not making excuses, I was a bitch and you didn’t deserve it. I’m sorry.”

Sofia reached out and squeezed her hand. “It doesn’t matter, Clemence, really. I get it. I am the little upstart who bowled into Ivo’s life like a wrecking ball.”

“You love him and he loves you. That’s all I can ask. Anyway, onto cheerier things.” Clemence smiled at Jonas. “I’m so happy Sofia has her brother back in her life. She did tell me you were the only go…sorry, not tactful.”

Sofia laughed. “Nope, you’re right. He is the only good one in the family and we all know it.”

Jonas, his face flaming red at the compliment, nodded at Clemence. “Talking of family…when are you due?”

“A couple of weeks at the most. She’s shifting around, mostly playing a disco beat on my bladder, but everything’s going the way it should.” Clemence looked at little pale and Sofia frowned.

“Are you okay?”

Clemence nodded. “Oh yes, it’s just…the enormity of being a single mother is hitting me now.”

“You won’t be alone in this, Clemence, I swear. Ivo and I will be here for you every moment.” Sofia went to sit next to the other women. “Without being presumptuous…if you need someone with you in the delivery room, either Ivo or I can be there. Both if you wish.”

Clemence squeezed Sofia’s hand. “You are too kind. My mother is here, but yes…if I need you, I won’t hesitate to call, thank you.” She smiled at Jonas. “Your sister is the sweetest person.”

Jonas grinned. “I could tell you some stories from our childhood that would contradict that.”

They chatted with Clemence as Mireille brought them tea. Sofia grinned at the young woman – she guessed Mireille was about her age. “So, you’re a science geek, then?”