Frozen by Fear [DEADLY SECRETS#1]

Kabanata 19

KABANATA 19

Waverly Rose's POV

Paris, France - March 10th - Waverly's 18th birthday

When we check into our hotel in Paris, there is a package from David waiting for Drew and I at the front desk. David always seems to be one step ahead of us.

Drew and I have a condo in Paris, but whenever we are concerned that we've been compromised in some way, we stay at hotels instead. It's more anonymous and allows us to scope out our personal homes before settling in there for any length of time.

Within the next day or so, we'll park ourselves outside of our Paris condo to see if it is being watched. I doubt Ace or his private detective have found out its location.

The only thing we ever use our real names for is on the titles of our homes and our real vehicles. Not that we get to enjoy either very often. And Ace doesn't know my real name. He doesn't even know that Drew is my brother.

I already know what the package is, so I snap it out of Drew's hands as soon as we get on the elevator. He gives me a stern look.

"Waverly, you shouldn't get your hopes up."

"Shut up." I told him as I rip it open, too anxious to wait until we get into our hotel suite.

On the top of the stack of papers is a picture of Ace. It so reminds me of when I first got the assignment to kill his father and saw his picture.

However, this time is different. He looks different. There is a hardness to his face and coldness in his eyes. He is dressed differently too. More mature, likea young businessman and not a Senior about to graduate high school.

From the background, I can tell that the picture was taken in Paris. Probably recently since he's been here for the past week. There is a man in the picture standing near him. The man is in his late thirties with sandy brown hair and apleasant face. His suit looks much less expensive than Ace's. That must bethe private detective, Detective Mike Lao.

I look through the other pictures, all of Ace in different parts of Paris. Some with Mike Lao, some without. One of them is of him, taken on the steps of my old friend and sexual mentor, Charlie Green's home.

By the time we enter our hotel suite, I am riffling through the paper work. The information that David sent, gives us information on the hotel they are staying at and all of the places that they've been in the past couple of days.

It also gives background information on this Mike Lao character. He is a well-established and sought-after private investigator in Miami. He has experience on cases that take him worldwide. He is a former Navy Seal and was with the FBI for a number of years. He also belongs to a network of private investigators nation wide in the United States, who share informationand resources. Looks like Ace found the right man to hire. Not that Mike Lao stands a chance of finding me if I don't want to be found.

I'm not worried about Marie giving them information on me. She is a former lover of David's and I know that I have her loyalty, along with David.

The first order of business is to do what David asked of me and visit with Marie. Find out what Ace is all about, from her perspective.

I dress carefully before going to see her. Normally, I don't care how I dress when I'm not on an assignment, but I have a lot of respect for Marie and she believes that a female should dress to the hilt whenever possible. She's all about the feminine image.

I wear a short silky red dress with black heels. I smooth out my hair and wearfull make-up with red lipstick. Since it's a cool day out, I put on a short dressy black leather jacket. I think Marie will approve of the siren look. Plus, it's my birthday, I'm in the mood to look good. I have my hair dyed black right now, so some black sunglasses complete the look. I feel like I belong in a video for The White Stripes right now.

Drew insists on coming to see Marie with me. I think he wants to keep an eye on me and make sure that I don't go to see Ace. Whatever! I do what I want. I've given him the slip numerous times in the past. What makes him think he could really stop me if that was what I wanted? Is that what I want? More than anything. I'm dying to see Ace with my own eyes.

On the plane ride to Paris, I was practically jumping out of my seat. Will David and Drew be pissed at me? Hell yeah, but I don't care.The thought that Ace is scouring the globe for me has me dieing to know why.

I ask Drew on the taxi ride over to Marie's home, "Why do you think he's looking for me?" Drew shrugs.

"I don't know. There are so many possibilities. Maybe you left a shirt in his car and he wants to return it to you." I hit him on the shoulder.

"Be serious, Drew. What do you REALLY think?" He looks serious.

"Rosie, try to keep in mind that you killed his father."

"Believe me when I say that I haven't forgotten anything. He's constantly on my mind." Drew's expression turns sympathetic.

"What if he wants to hurt you, Rosie?" I shoke my head in denial.

"He's not like that Drew. He's everything that's good in the world. He loves me."

"Loved you." Drew correct me. I shoot him a dirty look.

"Remember what he said the last time you saw him, Rosie."

I ignored Drew and stared out the window. I have always loved Paris. Our father was from France and our mother was from the Philippines. Paris is where they met. I feel closer to them whenever I'm here.

That song "Assassin" by John Mayer always reminds me of them. It kind of reminds me of me and Ace now too.

As soon as the taxi parks in front of Charlie's home, I jump out, leaving Drew to pay. I run up the steps in my excitement to see Charlie. She's the closest thing to a mother that I've ever had. Of course, most mothers don't tutor youin all the ways to pleasure a man and how to use your femininity to snare in a man. But, perhaps they should.

Charlie is old school, so her butler opens the door. Ralph, the butler recognizes me even though it's been months and my hair is a new color.

"Miss Waverly, Charlie has been expecting you. Please wait in the formal living room and she will be down in a moment."

"Drew's here too." I told Ralph as I step past him into the foyer.

Ralph has worked for Marie for years and is her most trusted confidant. He's now in his early fifties and conservative as can be. But, I have always known that if in a time of need, he can get down and dirty. He is a stocky man and still fit,despite now being middle-aged. He serves as both butler and bodyguard to Charlie.

She's now retired from the Madam business, but at one time, she had over thirty girls working for her. From what David says, she often mothered all ofthem. An odd relationship, but it worked.

I don't know how serious her and David were. She had many lovers when she was younger, probably still does. Despite now being in her mid-forties, she is still beautiful and can pass for being in her late-thirties.

Although they no longer see each other as lovers, she and David are close friends.

Before I even leave the foyer, Charlie appears at the top of the stairs. I wait at the bottom of them while she descends and then engulfs me in a hug.

"My sweet Rosie, you have come to see me so quickly. I did not expect you for a couple more days." She spoke English for years and even with her French accent, is easily to understand.

Drew shuts the door behind him and Drew looks in that direction,"Drew, you have also come to see me, huh?"

"Yes, Charlie" Drew says shyly. I think he's always had a bit of a crush on her. I don't know the extent of his "lessons" with her, but I know that they were more thorough than mine.

I think she brought one of her girls in to teach him hands-on about making love. But he's my brother, so no way in hell am I ever asking him about it. Disgusting!