Page 86 of Mountain Security

Though Yvette knew the real reason Pierre had ordered lunch had more to do with whatever was going on than with team bonding, the team had enjoyed it.

Adeline, Celine, Jenny and Tom left together, still debating their views on the Spring concert to be held in the Town Square. As far as Yvette could make out, it was the youngest two who wanted something more classical, while the two older women wanted to innovate.

Pierre had gone home an hour earlier. Yvette hoped he was working things out with Vivienne.

She gave a small sigh.

She was turning into a regular match-maker.

After the others left, Théo stayed behind, fiddling with some papers on his desk.

“You okay, Théo?” Though his clothes and hair were tidy today, his eyes were still bloodshot and puffy.

“You didn’t say anything to the others,” he said.

Yvette’s heart broke for the man.

“Théo, I meant it when I said we didn’t need to talk about this again. Certainly not with anyone else. Let’s focus on finding the person responsible for blackmailing you.”

“I will do anything to help. But I’m … so grateful, Yvette.”

Yvette shook her head, uncomfortable with the praise.

“You’ve spoken to your husband?” That was one of the things they’d agreed on, the day before. If Théo wasn’t going to collaborate with the blackmailer anymore, he needed to be ready for the fact that the video could come out.

“I did. It wasn’t half as bad as what he’d been fearing. He told me I should have come to him first … I don’t … I don’t deserve him, or you, Yvette.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Théo. We all deserve a second chance. You’re not going to start crying on me, are you?” she asked, half-alarmed.

Théo shook his head in thatof course notway that made her realize he was seconds away from doing exactly that.

“Go home, Théo. Have dinner with Fritz, get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

Théo nodded. He finished packing all his things, and finally disappeared out the door.

Yvette looked behind her to see Alex looking at her. He nodded at her, then looked at his watch. “I have one more quick call to make, then I’ll take you home.”

Home.

He means to his place.

She blushed as she thought of what they’d done in the hot tub, then what they’d done in his bed afterwards. It had been exhilarating, romantic and … probably the best night’s sleep she’d had in a while.

She had a feeling she wouldn’t be sleeping in the guest room tonight, either.

“I need to freshen up,” she said, laughing inside at the euphemism.

Yvette’s black heels clacked on the hardwood floor. Because this was an old building, the bathroom was in the corridor outside, by the elevators. They shared it with the small Culture and Cultural Heritage office on the same floor.

Afterwards, as she washed her hands, she wondered vaguely what they’d do for dinner. She’d seen several kinds of cheese in Alex’s fridge. Maybe they could stop for a baguette and some cold meats—someviande sechée, a bit of ham, maybe somesaucisson sec.

She could almost smell the smokiness of thesaucisson.

No almost about it.

She could smell it. As she watched, the smoky scent grew harsher.

Yvette looked around her, bewildered. She looked at the stalls, which were all empty.

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