Short chapter. We apologize but alas my Muse has another man in her life and it happens to be his birthday. On with my story...
Julia and I are now in Christine's suite. I was about ready to drag her to the bedroom and get answers from her.
Gabrina thought that Fiesty Phantom and Punk-ass Vicomte would have been an appropriate title for this chapter. Please do not humor her.
Ch 52
The China doll in her hand dangled at her side, the dark hair covering the doll's expressionless face. I wasn't sure but I thought the child's name was Isabella. In Suzette's death this child had become the oldest daughter.
We stared at each other for a moment, this child and I, locked in some unwavering gaze of horror and disbelief. I had released her mother the moment I had seen her standing in her little blue night dress with her hair twisted in a bun. I didn't know if she had seen me holding her mother by the wrist but I felt as though I owed this little girl and explanation of why I was there in their suite. I also wanted to ask her why in God's name she was still awake at half past one in the morning.
"Mommy, your friend is back," she murmured. She clutched the doll against her chest and continued to stare at me.
"I know that sweetie. Go on to bed," Christine replied. She didn't turn to face her daughter. She glared at me. They both did. The whole room had centered on me.
"Mommy," the little girl yawned. "I'm thirsty and I need to go to the potty."
"Have Nanette take you. Go right now," Christine said in her sing-song voice.
I lowered my head in a nod and the girl did the same. She turned slowly to her father and held out her hand. "Daddy?"
"Nanette will take you," the vicomte said. He started to wave her off but the girl started to moan in protest.
"Bella, I said go right now," Christine ordered.
"Mommy, is that man going to yell again?"
"No," I replied before anyone else could speak on my behalf. "We'll be out on the balcony. I apologize for disturbing you, child." I forced a slight smile that she half-heartedly returned. Christine finally came to her and led the little girl back to her bedroom. Before the bedroom door closed behind them I heard her snap at the nanny.
"You need to leave now," the vicomte ordered. He stepped towards me but stopped once I turned to face him. His voice dropped. "You leave now or the gendarmes come at once."
"I leave when I know what my son said," I replied. I looked toward Julia. She stared uncomfortably at the bedroom door where Christine had disappeared with her daughter. I have no doubt she was waiting for the nightmare to end.
My eyes flickered from the vicomte back to Julia. My jaw had clenched so tightly that I half-expected my teeth to crack from the pressure. "Did you hear what I said? My son! I don't give a damn what she says he is mine; my blood, my soul, my son, mine." It was nearly impossible for me to keep my voice down. It was nearly impossible not to grab him by his scrawny, perfect neck and not strangle the life from his aristocratic body.
I watched him from the corner of my eye. To my surprise the boy didn't argue. He simply stood there with his arms hanging at his side and his head bowed. I took a step toward him.
"She never told you, did she?" I asked.
"You have made my life a living hell for far too long. You have no right to be in my hotel room insisting that you…you did anything with my wife."
"She wasn't your wife then."
"There is not even a remote possibility that this boy is your son, do you understand me?"
"Then tell me why you called him a bastard or I will break your neck."
His face turned crimson. "Christine has been faithful! She would never even have a nightmare as repulsive as you. Now I said you need to leave," he replied through his teeth.
His voice trembled. It was like the smell of blood in the air to a predator. I stalked toward him oblivious to everything else within the room. "Do I frighten you now that it is only us? Now that the odds are even and there is no one who can save you?"
"You need to leave at once." He backed away into the door. All he had to do was find the doorknob and he could run screaming into the hall.
"Tell me."
Silence. I would not tolerate silence. My hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat.
Before I could apply pressure and leave bruises in the shape of my fingers Julia took me by my free arm and attempted to pull me away.
"We've been here long enough," she said. "Your bloodlust is not going to find Alex."
She was right. This wasn't going to find Alex but it felt too damned good to have my hands around his neck. My grip loosened and he fell to his knees. With his hands to his throat he gasped for his next breath.
"You son of a bitch," the boy coughed.
"Answer me."