Ada & The French (The Woodhouse Series #2)

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

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*Paris*

"What are you doing here Bastien?" Paonne asked, her gaze darting between Lisette and him.

"The police were here looking for you."

"Or you spoke to them?" Bastien asked as Paonne glared at him. "What, you think I wouldn't find out? You're not here when the police turn up?"

Paonne laughed, dismissing his words. "I had things to do. Not everything's about you..."

Bastien scowled, shoving his gun deeper into Lisette's back who whimpered. "Let her go, Bastien."

"Tell me the truth..." He said. "Did you go to the police?"

"You are delusional and you need to let her go, otherwise I will go to the police!"

Bastien grinned. "Are you threatening me?"

Paonne kept her calm. "Does it matter? This will only end one way."

Bastien laughed, shaking his head. "You're right...but not the way you think."

"Bastien..." Paonne tried a different strategy. "You can walk away from this. You do not have to do this."

"No!" He cried, his voice echoing as Paonne and Lisette jumped. "I have to do this."

"You can get away before they come for you!" Paonne protested. "The police are coming. The city is looking for you! You have a chance to leave Paris and let this all blow over before coming back."

Bastien tilted his head as he came to Paonne, his gun still pointing at Lisette who was frozen with fear. "And what...you will help me?" He asked, his freehand touching Paonne's face.

"I want...peace..." Paonne replied.

"And I do not?" Bastien asked. "I've wanted peace since I was a little boy. An Emperor or a King is not the answer - never has been to France. Power belongs to the people and I need to make sure it stays there."

"France has not had an emperor for almost twenty years..." Paonne explained... "You've lived in a Republic for more than half of your life and France will never go back to those days of a Bonaparte ruling us..." She explained.

Bastien laughed, stepping away from her. "Oh...you are so naive..." He looked at Lisette. "Until all those with royalist sympathies to any branch of the former houses are eradicated, France will never be equal and never see peace."

"So...you will commit mass murder?" Paonne asked. "You will take the lives of others into your hands to get the peace that this country already has? Has already seen in the last twenty years."

"You do now know half of it..." Bastien stated as he shook his head. "You are naive and care only for your business and girls."

"They are my life! My family!" Paonne argued.

"So you know exactly what it takes to protect something that you have worked for!"

"We are not the same!" Paonne protested. "You are thinking about yourself and your legacy."

"No!" He warned. "I am thinking of this country!" He shoved the gun back into Lisette's back who whimpered. "And I will stop anyone that gets in my way!"

"How? By holding us, hostage?" Paonne questioned as Bastien shook his head.

"By forcing your silence..." He glared at her as Paonne felt her blood run cold. "But seeing as you have already gone to the police, I have nothing to lose. But you? You will watch all that you love to go up in flames as a reminder of what happens when you defy me."