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His hand finds my back when he reaches the table. His thumb traces one small circle against my bare skin before settling.

"Are you ready?" he says.

"For what?"

"We have one more stop before we head back." Then he turns back to Pierre and shakes his hand. "Thanks again for making the call."

"Don't thank me. You made me a deal I couldn't refuse, and I hope you two enjoy yourselves."

Everett helps me with my wrap, says goodnight to Pierre and Margaux, and guides me out of the restaurant into the cool Paris night.

"What call did Pierre make?" I ask. "What deal did you make?"

The car is waiting when we exit the restaurant. Everett waves off the driver and opens the door for me first. "I agreed to keep on the administrative staff for all of next year before any restructuring."

I feel a smile break past my lips. "You got the team."

"I got the team... partly because of you."

"Because of me?"

"A man who loves his wife is willing to make deals to make her happy," he says. "Margaux likes you, which is the only reason Pierre agreed to sit down and hear my pitch."

"Turns out I'm becoming more of an asset than you anticipated," I gleam with pride.

"Aria... you're becoming far more than that." He stares back, his eyes searching mine for a moment.

I slide in and then Everett shuts the door and walks around the back of the town car to get in on the other side so that I don't have to scoot over in my dress.

But we don't head in the direction of the airstrip.

I notice after two turns. Then three.

"This isn't the way back to the jet," I say.

He doesn't look at me. "No."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere."

"That's not an answer."

"It will be in about four minutes."

I look out the window and watch Paris slide by—the Seine glittering under bridges, the buildings lit gold, the streets still alive with people even this late.

Then the car slows.

And I see it.

The museum.

The one Gabriel mentioned. The private preview that was invitation only and no additional tickets were given out. The one with the painter I've studied since I was nineteen and thought I'd never see in person.

The building is dark.

It's no longer open. Not lit up with the preview party I missed hours ago. But there are two staff members standing at the entrance. Waiting.