Page 98 of The Artist
I was ready to kill the fool and a quick gaze at Indiana and Thor told me they were too.
“I’m sure this is a strange type of French humor,” Jonah told the Prime Minister. “But let’s be clear; you can’t impregnate Freya or keep her here against her will. We in the Motherland Council would never allow that to happen.”
He received a frosty glance from the Prime Minister. “And yet, you’re willing to letthemtake Belle from us?”
“Never against her will. Belle, tell him what your wishes are,” Jonah encouraged her.
Belle made me proud when she spoke loud and clear. “I want to stay in the Northlands.”
Rafael curled his lip up in a micro-expression that ruined his stoic façade for a second. “You can. As long as Freya stays here with us.”
“This is ridiculous.” Losing my patience, I took Belle’s hand and moved toward the exit. “Let’s go.”
“Mason, stop.” Jonah came after me. “We need to find a solution.”
“You’ve been negotiating with that clown for hours. It’s not like he has an army to force us to do anything, so why are we wasting our time?”
“Because I’m not prepared to lose fifteen years of diplomatic work over this. Wewillfind a solution.”
The others came to join us by the door opening. Gathering close, we spoke in hushed voices.
“I say we take Belle and get the fuck out,” Thor growled.
“How about we pressure him to give in?” Indiana looked over his shoulder. “We could have him on his knees in no time.”
“There will be no violence,” Jonah demanded.
Aubri bit her lip. “What if we doubled our offer of natural resources?”
“He’ll reject it again,” Freya muttered. “This is about pride, and Rafael is eyeing his chance to get back at Khan and Magni. He won’t budge unless I stay here.”
“That’s not happening,” Aubri declared. “I would take your place before I let you stay.”
Tightening my hold on Belle’s hand, I spoke. “I could never allow any of you to make that sacrifice for me. If it comes to that, I’ll stay here with Belle. As long as we get to raise our child and be a family, I’ll do it to be with her.”
Belle gaped at me. “No, Mason. You don’t know what you’re saying. I want us to live in the Northlands where there’s fresh air and our child will have room to play.”
“Yeah. No way am I letting my niece or nephew grow up underground,” Aubri declared.
“Why isn’t Victor helping us calm that fucker down?” Indiana asked.
“Hmm, good question. Maybe he needs a bit of motivation.” Freya, who had been leaning forward in our small circle, straightened. “Let me try one thing.” Turning she walked back to stand in front of the table, facing Rafael.
“If I were to stay here, I would have some demands.”
“I’m listening.”
“I want Victor as my roommate.”
Pushing off from the wall, Victor glared at her. “Is that a joke?”
The two of them stared at each other for a long second before he sputtered something in French to Rafael.
“I’m afraid Victor isn’t open to the idea of having you as a roommate.” Rafael smirked. “Might I offer myself instead?”
“That’s kind, but if I were to stay choosing my roommate would be a must. I want Victor.”
“Why? You don’t even like me.” Victor scoffed.
