Page 86 of The Penalty

Queen.

Belle femme.

My following on social media had grown dramatically the last couple of months. I went from twelve hundred followers to fifty thousand. To say Xavier’s fans were ravenous was an understatement.

“You’re officially a WAG now,” Hannah teased. “How does it feel?”

“I’m not that interesting. They’ll get bored really fast.”

“They’re curious about you. Xavier was usually spotted with models or actresses or party girls. You’re different.”

“Is that your way of saying I’m a nobody?” I laughed.

“Stop it. You know what I mean. The way you two met was so…organic. People eat that shit up.”

My phone chimed.

Killian: If you don’t bring me something Parisian I’ll cry

Me: Grab the tissues

Killian: Love you, mean it

“Was that Xavier?” Hannah giggled. “His ears must have been burning.”

“It was Killian begging for a souvenir.”

I finished my drink and excused myself to use the restroom. The café was bustling now. Tourists and regulars filled the sidewalk tables. I waited patiently for an elderly couple to pass by before squeezing through the door.

Someone bumped into me from behind, apologizing profusely. I whacked a pretty large, and from the looks of it, expensive camera lens when I turned around. Horrified, I told him in French how sorry I was and hoped I didn’t damage the camera. He smiled and shook his head, waving off the notion. Then he told me to have a lovely day in English.

After I returned to Hannah, she leaned in and spoke low. “There’s a reporter following you.”

“How do you know?” I pulled out my phone and started scrolling.

“I saw him. Besides, the camera was a dead giveaway.”

I stopped mid-scroll and glanced up. “Big lens?” I relayed my encounter with the stranger.

“This will probably happen more often now.” Hannah straightened her posture. “Will it bother you?”

“I honestly don’t know. I’ve had cameras shoved in my face by default when I’m escorting Noah or Jax around.” I shrugged. “How different can this be?”

We spent the next hour or so shopping. I did grab something Parisian for Killian but it was more of gag gift than anything. He’s afraid of mimes. When I saw a small ceramic mime holding a flower, I bought it immediately.

Before leaving the shop, I noticed a print of Baroque architecture, featuring Palais du Luxembourg and the Louvre.

The Louvre?

I read the information sheet near the print. Apparently the Baroque style was added in the seventeenth century during an expansion project.

Fascinating.

I bought it for Xavier on a whim, knowing how much he appreciates the inner workings of a structure.

Hannah and I returned to the hotel, agreeing to meet in the lobby around four to head over to the stadium. I put my stuff down, noticing the little box.

I should bring it down to the concierge so they can deliver it to its rightful owner.

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