Page 99 of The Artist
“I still prefer someone I know over a stranger.”
“Then chose Celeste, Simon, or Isaac.”
“No.” Her one word was stated calmly but firmly.
“Forget it. I know you’re playing some game, Freya.” Victor shifted his balance several times.
“We’re trying to accommodate your wish, but since you can’t meet even the first of my small demands, there’s not much we can do.”
Rafael was now pacing with a thoughtful expression.
“You have to understand that Victor holds a special position in our society. He’s been granted the privilege of living without a roommate.”
“That’s bullshit. I know he has a roommate at the moment,” I exclaimed.
“Due to a temporary emergency. Soon he’ll have his apartment back.”
“I hear what you’re saying.” Freya gave a sympathetic glance. “I don’t want to impose on Victor either. He’s told us how he’s the golden boy of this country and how he basically has everyone doing his bidding. I just assumed he was exaggerating when he bragged that he was more powerful than the Prime Minister.”
Rafael looked from Freya to Victor and back again. Frown lines marring his forehead. “I’m the Prime Minister and no one holds more power than me. If you want Victor as your roommate, you’ll have it.”
Victor objected right away in a fast exchange of French that flew back and forth between the two men.
With his jaw flexed, Victor spun to Freya. “How did you think this would work? You’re twenty-seven and would need to get impregnated right away. Are you willing to give upyourchild?” Victor argued.
“No, of course not. That would be my second demand. If I have a child, I’ll choose the father and we’ll raise the child together. That’s why I want us to live together.”
Victor’s eyes weren’t the only ones that widened in shock. Mine did too, but knowing Freya, she was playing a game of chess and interrupting her would sabotage everything.
“You can’t just move here and pretend it’s the Northlands. Relationships aren’t allowed,” Rafael said.
Throwing up her hands, Freya sighed. “I’m trying here, but I’m starting to think my brother was right. You are impossible to negotiate with. You’re not willing to meet me even a little bit.”
Again, Victor and Rafael argued. I turned to Belle. “What are they saying?”
“Victor is refusing and saying he would rather drink radioactive water than be forced to live with her. Rafael is telling him to sacrifice himself, but Victor says it’ll be over his dead body.”
While the two men kept arguing, a tiny smug smile flashed over Freya’s face, which told me everything was going according to her plan.
“Enough!”
We all turned to Aubri, who was red in her face and stood with her hands folded into fists near the doorway. “I’m not letting you men stand there and insult my cousin. My brother is keeping Belle and his child and that’s that. If you need a woman to stay, I’ll do it. Victor can keep his apartment to himself, but I have my own demands.”
We were all gaping at Aubri but before I could tell her not to fuck up Freya’s plan, my sister spoke again. “I want to join the Explorers and be on Banni’s team. They’re down two teammates and leaving on an expedition tomorrow.”
“Aubri, no!” I said. “You’re not staying.”
“An Explorer can’t carry a child, she won’t be any use to us,” Victor argued.
“Yes, I will.” Aubri walked forward. “We all know this ridiculous show of power isn’t about Belle’s child. It’s about you exploiting your chance to get revenge on our fathers. I’ll stay for six months and in return you’ll let go of all claims to Belle and her children.”
From the way Rafael’s eyes were glowing, it was clear that Aubri had hit the nail on its head. “A year. Give me a full year and then I’ll let Belle go right now.”
“No. Exploration work is dangerous. Aubri could die,” Victor objected.
Rafael’s smirk made me growl.
“That’s what he’s fucking hoping for,” Thor said and grabbed for Aubri. “You’re done here. We’re leaving.”
