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It almost felt normal.

We could have been two people on vacation instead of two people whose families had signed contracts deciding what the rest of our lives were supposed to look like.

We stopped for coffee, and I checked my watch.

It was 10:25 p.m.

I looked toward Tommy, who was keeping enough distance to give us privacy. He understood what I needed without me saying anything and stepped away to make a call.

“We’re going back to Monaco tomorrow by train,” I told Azaria.

“Okay.”

She looked around at the street before taking another drink of her coffee.

“We weren’t here long, but I enjoyed Paris.”

“We’ll come back.”

Azaria looked up at me. “You promise?”

“Yeah.”

A black Rolls-Royce truck pulled up along the curb a few minutes later.

Before I opened the door for her, I pulled her closer and kissed her. I took my time with it, and she kissed me back without fighting me or pretending she didn’t want to.

When I finally moved away from her, her hand stayed against my chest.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Where are you going?”

“Business again.”

She gave me a look. “You know, if I’m going to be some kind of mafia wife, eventually I’m going to have to come on business with you.”

I smirked. “I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to go to war with me.”

“You better.”

I opened the door, and Azaria climbed into the Rolls.

“Go straight back. Don’t give my security hell.”

“I make no promises.”

“I already know.”

The door closed, and the Rolls pulled away from the curb. I stayed there until the taillights disappeared down the Paris street.

A second Rolls-Royce pulled up a few minutes later, and the back door opened for me.

Whatever peace I had with Azaria tonight was over for now.

I got inside because I still had business to handle before morning.

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