Page 70 of When Hearts Awaken

Menacing. Dark. Just like that night. Sweat beads on the back of my neck as I navigate the maze, desperate to find the girl who’s almost like a little sister to me.

I’m sure they went this direction—where are they?

A slap rings out in the dark space, followed by a choked sob. I gasp and head toward the commotion. After creeping past a tall cabinet, I see two shadowy figures standing behind a bookshelf with Maddy.

“Arrête, ce n’est ni le moment ni l’endroit,”one man says to the other, his voice too soft for me to hear.

Damn it, why didn’t I pay attention in French class in high school?

“Cette garce doit apprendre à connaître sa place. Tu sais ce qui se passera si elle le dit à tout le monde?”the other man replies as he tugs his hair, appearing frustrated. Somethingbitchand somethingtell the world. I growl in frustration under my breath.

“Elle ne le fera pas. Je vais lui parler. Calme-toi, Laurent,”the other man murmurs.

I will talk to her.And the angry man’s name is Laurent. I can’t make heads or tails of this conversation.

Maddy sniffles, her words echoing in the room. “I don’t want to do it anymore. I don’t care what I promised, I don’t—”

I fist my hands tightly, my eyes on the small trembling shadow of the person huddled in the corner. I don’t care who these people are. How dare they hurt a young, defenseless girl like Maddy?

A girl who has her whole life ahead of her.

A girl who probably dreamed about dancing the white swan role as she ate plain bread for dinner.

A girl who believes in love.

A low growl makes its way up my throat, and I charge forward, wanting—no needing—to save Maddy, to give the men a piece of my mind, to—

A hand clamps around my wrist and pulls me into a recessed alcove, and another hand smothers my scream.

Terror races through me and I thrash in his arms. I won’t be doing this again.

This isn’t happening. I’ll die before I let him hurt me again.

I raise my stiletto heel and am about to slam it on his foot when the mystery man says, “Shh… It’s me. Stop struggling, minx.”

Chapter 30

The drapes fall shut,and her body stills as she registers my words. I know the exact moment when she recognizes it’s me behind her. Her breath hitches and her muscles relax before she turns around and stares at me.

“Charles?” she whispers, clearly in shock.

My voice deserts me when I take in her face under the pale moonlight streaming in from the arched window. Her large eyes are guileless at the moment, charcoal pools I want to dive into and never resurface. Her perfect lips, painted in the color of her favorite burgundy roses, are now parted.

She dips her tongue out and heat rushes to my groin. My eyes greedily absorb the sight, roving from her midnight hair piled high, a few strands teasing those creamy shoulders, to her delectable body clad in a stunning gold dress that makes me want to kneel and worship at her feet.

Then there’s the sweet, intoxicating scent of vanilla swirling in the air, making my mouth water.

My breathing quickens and my hands tighten around her waist, my fingers digging into the thin fabric. I can feel the heat of her body and I’m sure if I trail my fingers up to her neck, I’ll find the rapid fluttering of her pulse.

“Charles? What are you doing here?”

Her question draws me out of the sensual haze, and I quickly remember why I’m in here, hiding under the cloak of darkness with her. The black envelope in my pocket digs into my skin, reminding me of the unpleasant conversation I had in the ballroom ten minutes ago.

An older man with dark hair and piercing eyes approached me when I was taking a break from socializing. “Monsieur Vaughn, finally get to meet you in person.”

I stiffened as he guided me to a darkened corner of the room, away from prying eyes. “You have me at a disadvantage.”

“Laurent Archambeau, chief of police of this beautiful city.”

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