Page 49 of A Mistake of Identity
“Of course.” Gabriel’s fingers caught his chin, tilting his face up. “I want you to feel confident in yourself, Ellis. If education would help with that, then we’ll make it happen.”
Ellis felt hope flutter in his chest, even as an unwanted thought tried to surface—even if Gabriel eventually tired of him, a diploma would give him more options. He pushed the doubt away, focusing instead on Gabriel’s warm eyes.
“I think... I think I’d like that,” Ellis said softly. “It would be nice to not feel so... ignorant all the time.”
“You’re not ignorant,” Gabriel corrected firmly. “You’re self-taught under difficult circumstances. There’s a difference.” He pressed a kiss to Ellis’ forehead. “We can look into tutors later this week. For now, how about lunch?”
Ellis smiled, watching Gabriel return to his sandwich-making with the same focus he gave everything else. This was what security felt like, he realized. Not just the promiseof education or the luxury surrounding him, but this—being supported, being seen as someone worth investing in.
Gabriel slid a plate in front of him, the sandwich cut into triangles. Such a simple thing, but it made Ellis’ chest tight with emotion. He was more than just a pretty distraction or a charity case. Gabriel saw him, really saw him, and wanted to help him grow.
“Thank you,” Ellis said, meaning far more than just the sandwich.
Gabriel’s smile suggested he understood. “Anything for you, mon coeur.”
And Ellis believed him.
Ellis
Ellis guided the Mercedes AMG sedan—Gabriel’s latest gift—into the circular drive of the Lafayette Square mansion. He still couldn’t quite believe Gabriel had bought him a car, even if he could only drive it the three blocks between the mansion and the aquatic club until he got his license. Until then, he had to use it in auto-drive mode for longer trips.
The sleek black vehicle responded to his touch like it was reading his mind, making him feel powerful and alive. His muscles were pleasantly tired from swimming, and as the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn, he allowed himself a small smile. Two weeks had passed since Henri discovered Jean, and life had settled into an almost normal rhythm.
The past few days especially had been good. The tutors Gabriel hired had done an assessment, and it turned out Ellis wasn’t as far behind as he’d feared. His English grammar was appalling, according to the kind but honest woman who’d reviewed his writing sample, and his French needed work, but his math scores had been acceptable. They seemed confident he could complete his HiSET in a few months if he applied himself.
He wasn’t sure about rushing it like that, but it was nice to know it wouldn’t take years.
Even Annabelle’s enthusiasm for dressing him had become endearing rather than overwhelming. He’d startedaccompanying her on shopping trips, letting her play dress-up with him in the fancy boutiques she loved. She got so excited about it, he didn’t have the heart to tell her he still preferred Gabriel’s old shirts at home.
The squeal of tires on the pavement behind him shattered that peace.
Three black SUVs pulled up, blocking the driveway. Ellis’ hand froze on his car door as men emerged—a dozen or more, wearing casual clothes that somehow looked wrong, their faces obscured by dark sunglasses and surgical masks. Something about their fluid movements sent ice through his veins.
“Jacob!” Ellis backed toward the house, fumbling for his keys. “JACOB!”
The butler appeared in the doorway, his usual composure cracking as he took in the scene. “Inside, now—”
The men moved with military precision. Three headed straight for Jacob while others fanned out around the property. Ellis heard the muffled pop of silenced weapons and saw the security guards at their posts crumple.
“No, no, no—” Ellis turned to run, but strong hands seized him. He fought, connecting with a jaw, an eye, earning a grunt of pain. More hands grabbed him.
Through the open door, he saw Peter moving like a dancer, taking down two attackers before a third shot him from behind. The sight of Peter falling made Ellis’ stomach lurch.
A scream cut through the air. “Let me GO!”
Jean’s voice. Ellis thrashed harder, managing to slam his head back into someone’s nose. Blood sprayed, but it didn’t matter. More hands replaced the ones he fought off.
They dragged him toward one of the SUVs. Jean was wrestled into another, his blonde curls wild, face red with fury. “I’ll kill you!” Jean shouted. “My father will—”
“Your father sent us,” one of the men said calmly, removing his mask. Jean went pale, then his eyes locked on something beneath the man’s jacket.
“Sentinelle Tactical?” Jean’s voice cracked. “He’s using ST?”
Ellis felt his blood run cold at the name. He’d heard Gabriel mention it once—some secretive military branch of La Sauvegarde that officially didn’t exist.
They shoved Ellis into the middle SUV. Through the tinted windows, he watched Jean’s vehicle pull away. A man in the passenger seat turned around, wearing the same distinctive patch.
“Goodnight, Ellis,” the man said almost gently, raising a small canister.
