Read Online Beautifully Broken (The Broken Series Book 2) by K.S. Ruff - Free Book Online

they’re
always around, even at night. The cook and her granddaughter are staying in the
guest house at the back of the property, but the rest of the staff have their
own homes.”
    I
kicked my heels off and tucked my feet under me as I settled in to watch the
flames dance in the fireplace. I took a sip of wine. I sighed contentedly when
I felt my body relax. “Do you always eat in this room?”
    Michael
set his plate on the coffee table. He turned toward me as he leaned back against
the couch. “ Oui. Pourquoi? ”
    I
smiled. Michael seemed to speak more French when he was drinking wine. “I was
just wondering why you don’t eat in the dining room. It’s so lovely.”
    Michael
draped his arm across the back of the couch. He gazed at the fire while playing
absently with my hair. “The dining room is too big and cold. I only use it for entertaining.”
    I
thought about the ballroom and the dining room and wondered what type of
entertaining Michael did and with what kind of guests. I took another sip of
wine as I shifted my attention toward Michael. “I didn’t notice any televisions
when we toured the house.”
    Michael
scoffed. “Television is overrated. We have a few, but they are hidden behind
paintings. I can show you how to access them tomorrow. There are very few
channels in English, mon coeur .”
    I
nodded. “Speaking of which, I’d like to work on my French so I can better
communicate with your staff. I’d like to find some online instruction or purchase
software so I can study.” I stilled, suddenly realizing I wasn’t in a position
to purchase anything.
    Michael
stiffened next to me. “Why? I can teach you French. Besides, I am not ready for
you to have a computer.”
    I
glanced at Michael in surprise. “What? Why?”
    Michael
gave me a knowing look. “Because you will try to reach out to your family and
friends.”
    I
scowled even though it was a reasonable conclusion. “Michael, I’m not going to
do anything that would put them in danger.”
    Michael
resumed playing with my hair. “I know, but on this point, I am the one who
needs more time.”
    “Okay,”
I finally conceded. I was hugely disappointed. I was used to having a cell
phone, a television, and a computer. I was already feeling disconnected without
them, but I recognized how important it was for me to pick my battles with
Michael. His concessions on intimacy made it worth yielding on this point.
    Michael
nuzzled my neck. “Soon, ma chérie. It is as you said. We both need time
to be together and adjust. I’d like to take you out to see Paris tomorrow if you
are feeling up to it and if the weather permits. Perhaps we can eat dinner
out?”
    I
stared at Michael in shock. “Aren’t you worried about taking me out in public?”
    It
was Michael’s turn to look surprised. “ Pourquoi?”
    I
was hesitant to respond, given that some degree of freedom was on the line, but
I was truly baffled by his willingness to take me out in public. “Surely the
fact that I’m missing will be in the news, especially if they connect it to
what happened at the Pentagon. People will be looking for me.”
    Michael
shook his head. “Your disappearance is not likely to make the news here. Your
soldier friend will make sure of that.”
    I
was surprised by his assessment of Kadyn. “Why do you say that?”
    Michael
shrugged. “Because he knows what could happen.”
    “And
what is that?” I asked hesitantly.
    Michael’s
eyes met mine. “I would take you some place where you would never be found. I
told you, mon coeur , I own six different properties, all in different
names, and I could easily purchase more. I can work from any place in the world,
so I do not need to be here. If he comes close to finding us, we will leave.”
    Michael
took the wine glass from my hand and set it aside. He stood and pulled me to my
feet. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me gently on the lips. “Come, ma
chérie. It is time for bed.”
    Michael
went downstairs