Page 71 of When Hearts Awaken

“And to what do I owe the pleasure?” There was something in his voice that was unsettling. I’d heard of him before—it took a certain ruthless personality and reputation to rule one of the major hubs in Europe with an iron fist.

He arched his brow and held my gaze for a few seconds, as if assessing something. Apparently, I passed muster because he murmured, “I was told to give you this.”

He retrieved a black envelope from his tux and handed it over. On it were two words in gilded, cursive text.The Association.

Grandma’s words and Maxwell’s comments whispered back into my mind and the hairs on my forearms prickled to attention.

“What’s this?” I asked, even though there was a sinking sensation in my chest.

“An invitation. You want to take Bank of Columbia to greater heights or cleanse your hands from the pesky public image problem your former CFO has handed you or perhaps make sure that certain CFO doesn’t talk anymore? All you need to do is ask. But of course, nothing comes for free.” With a secretive smile, he tipped his head and walked away.

I opened the envelope and found a simple black business card inside with a single phone number.

Something told me the price of this favor would be too hefty to pay. The warning bells in my gut blared loudly—if there was one thing I prided myself on, it was listening to my intuition.

What do they want with me?Theories ran through my head as I stared at the crisp card, feeling its ominous weight. Minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Archambeau following Maddy, with my fiery minx trailing after them, looking all too suspicious.

Taylor growls and shoves me deeper into the alcove, trying to make a break for it again. I hold her tighter against my chest. “Shhh. I’m saving you from yourself.”

Taylor stiffens, her eyes now flashing with ire. “What the fuck are you talking about? I need to save Maddy. These men are hurting her! I need to—” Her voice rises in volume. Fear rips through me. If Archambeau is part of The Association, then he’s dangerous.

I can’t let him know Taylor is here and eavesdropping.

I quickly clamp my hand over her mouth again and she mumbles her complaints into my palm.

“Hear me out. If I let go, will you be quiet, please?”

She struggles in my hold, and I bite back a growl of frustration.

“Please. Please, Taylor. Just listen to me.” I heave out a big breath.Please let me protect you.

She stills, her eyes scanning my face before she slowly nods.

I take my hand away and murmur in her ear, “That man in there, the one with the louder voice. That’s Laurent Archambeau, the chief of police. He’s a very powerful man in the city and he’s dangerous, involved in some shady business we definitely don’t want to take part in. Youdo notwant to cross him. The other guy I didn’t see, so I don’t know who he is. But he’s probably someone important as well.”

Her eyes widen before they narrow at me. She shakes her head. “I don’t care who the fuck they are. Maddy is crying. I heard a slap.”

“Did you see them hurt her? Because accusing the chief of police on his home turf carries severe ramifications. Not to mention, the man is dangerous. I don’t want him to have you in his sights.”

Taylor’s eyes widen in horror, then she swallows, her breath rickety. “I…I-I didn’t see…but I heard it, I swear!”

“Look at what I’m seeing right now.” I pull open the drapes slightly and let her peer through.

Maddy is smiling as another girl greets her in the room and the two of them leave, arm in arm. Her complexion appears clear, no reddened cheeks to indicate she was slapped. The two men stay behind, whispering furtively to each other.

Taylor stiffens, and I can almost see the dark cloud hovering over her head. She turns around, a deep frown on her face. “I swear I heard it. Something is wrong, Charles. This doesn’t add up.”

Gently, I place my hands on her forearms, my fingers tingling from the contact. “I believe you, Taylor. I really do. But I want to protect you too.”

She stills, her eyes wide and searching mine. Her breathing slowly evens out and I take it as a sign to continue. “If you charge out there and throw out accusations when you have no proof and you didn’t see anything, you’ll definitely be on Archambeau’s radar. I don’t want to think what problems that’ll cause, especially when you have a few more shows in the city. What if—”

Taylor scowls, her nostrils flaring. “Ofcourse,this is about the damn shows to you. My God, why did I think you’d be different? Why am I sostupid? Of course you don’t care about Maddy, the poor scholarship student. You only care about lining your pockets and your precious company. You—” She raises her hands, her face flushing.

Before she shoves me again, I catch her wrist in a tight clasp. This woman drives me mad.

This is why emotions terrify me. They make you lose your sanity.

But I know she’s so used to being alone, of protecting herself. She’s probably doing this as an automatic reaction.

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