Page 34 of It Happened In Paris

“Wait,” Vivian shrieked, moving toward him. “Adrien, for six years, my little girl knew you as her father. You can’t just leave tonight. Please, stay until the morning and say goodbye to her.We can all figure this out like adults. The most important things are for Paris to understand that none of this was her fault and not feel abandoned.”

He snorted and muttered French expletives under his breath. I understood Vivian’s plea, though I wished she hadn’t suggested he stay—as if I’d ever let him nearmydaughter, anyway.

“She is not mine. Why should I care to say goodbye?” he sneered, turning his back on the idea.

“You fucking asshole,” I snarled, clenching my fist, wanting to hurt him in the worst way. That wouldn’t do to start out as Paris’ father with an assault scandal on my hands.

Instead, I nodded at Floyd, who, along with the other guard, ushered Adrien away. I quickly texted my driver outside, instructing him to follow Adrien’s every move and report back hourly until he left the country for good.

Vivian reeled and collapsed into my arms, tears streaming down her face. I lifted her and carried her toward Paris’ room.

Keaton opened the door for us, and I stepped directly to the bed. “It’s going to be okay, Vivian. Look—there’s our daughter, our little sleeping beauty,” I whispered, trying to soothe her as I gestured toward our girl, curled up in a little ball in the center of the mattress.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Keaton said and headed back out. I could hear him addressing things with the nurses while I sat down on the sleeper chair with Vivian on my lap. As she wept, I held her close.

Nurse Sara brought a box of tissues and a cup of chamomile tea, while Dr. Ferguson stopped by to reassure us that Paris would be fine and that children were remarkably resilient.

“I promise I’ll get the best referral from Dr. Remington for child therapists for Paris if she needs it. But she won’t miss Adrien. You’ll see. I’ll be the best father she’s ever had. Shewon’t even remember him.” I vowed to back up every promise. “Please don’t be upset with me. I never would have broken the paternity news to you like that tonight. It all got out of hand with Adrien showing up.”

“Oh, no. I’m not upset with you. I’m furious with myself,” she admitted, clutching her chest and trembling. “How could I have been so wrong about who her father was? I was young and naïve then, blinded by what I thought was love. I bought every lie Adrien told me after I found out I was pregnant. Every promise he gave that he’d be better. I made such a mess of things.”

“Hey, I don’t think any less of you for the past, okay? There’s no way to change it. Will it be messy figuring all this out? Yeah. But we’ll survive it, baby—together. I’ll make sure of it. From now on, you and Paris have every Buchanan resource at your disposal.”

After a long pause, she lifted her head and met my gaze. “I don’t need every Buchanan. I just need you.” Her hand cupped my cheek, and I gazed into her bright blue eyes, a pair I could lose myself in forever. Exactly what I desired most.

I couldn’t resist and gently kissed her lips. My heart beat wildly out of my chest the same as when we kissed at the hotel. “Was it like this the first time when we stood under the Eiffel Tower?”

“This was better.” Her lips curved, her face glowed. I never wanted to forget this moment.

Footsteps approached, and Keaton appeared in the doorway. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I waved him in, continuing to speak in hushed tones. “Did Adrien leave?”

“Yeah. Floyd said they got him into the taxi. Do you think we should call the police or get a restraining order?” He asked.

“I have my driver following him. We’ll keep tabs on him until he’s gone. We can call if there are any further problems, but I know he’s money motivated. Once he has it in hand, I’m certain he won’t bother us.” I peered at Vivian in my arms, whose exhaustion from the day suddenly wore on her face.

“Five million is too much to give him.” Vivian shook her head.

“But I would have given him my entire fortune, baby, just to make sure he disappeared for good.”

“Everything?”

“It’s only money.” A man like me, with no money, but all the experience I gained, would be able to rebuild, without a doubt. I remained that self-assured. “You and Paris mean more to me than the balance in my bank account.”

“You two have a lot to discuss. Go back to the suite. I’ll stay.” Keaton offered.

“Yes, good idea. I’ll talk to Nurse Sara about it,” she agreed, rising and moving to Paris’ side. She gently pulled the blanket over Paris, and together we admired our sleeping beauty.

“My daughter,” I whispered, the words so new to me.

“Ourdaughter,” she insisted, covering my hand with hers.

“Yes. Ours.”

14

DESPERATE MEASURES

---