Chapter Three
As Sam crossed the kitchen to the office where the phone continued to ring, he couldn't help smiling.
He knew Erik had a way with women…they could not resist his charm and good looks. But Sam had never seen the man so captivated by a lady before. And the fact that Miss Daae was so obviously in love with Erik made it so much better.
He knew Erik had found her at the opera. She'd been singing in the chorus there. Despite having a remarkably beautiful voice, she'd had little chance for advancement.
Erik had always had a ear for talent and an eye for beauty. His nightclub in New York had been known for its lovely and talented entertainers.
He'd hired Christine to sing at the BelleVivre. And quickly fallen in love with her.
Sam Reyer was a sentimental fellow. He wished the couple all the best.
Erik leaned closer to her and she could no longer continue singing as his lips brushed against her earlobe.
"Christine, Christine, Christine…."
Her hand slipped inside his gray jacket to rest against his heart and she laid her head on his shoulder.
They remained like that for a long time, silent and lost in each other's presence.
That was how Sam found them when he burst back into the room.
Keeping one arm around Christine's slim waist, Erik looked up at his pianist, noting that Sam's face was pale and there were beads of sweat on his high forehead.
"Good God, Sam! What happened?"
"That was Michel. The Germans…the Nazis entered Paris an hour ago."
Even as he spoke, they heard the sound of a harsh voice crackling over loudspeakers out on the boulevard.
Erik glanced toward the window once, then looked back at his young lover and old friend.
"We have to get out of Paris. As quickly as possible,' Erik said, keeping his voice calm for Christine's sake.
"Sam, I want you to bring my car around and take Miss Daae back to her apartment. While she's packing, go down to the station and get three tickets for the next train out of Paris. We'll go to Marseilles and, well, from there…London or home toNew York."
Sam nodded, sliding the sheet music back into his case.
When Sam had gone, Erik took both of Christine's hands in his.
"Angel, there's a few things that I was involved after the last war that…well, if the Nazis found me, it would be very bad. Smuggling, things of that sort. But I don't want you to worry. Everything will be fine…don't be afraid."
She stood on her toes and kissed him in a show of bravery she didn't really feel.
"I won't be afraid for myself, Erik. Only for you."
He held her hand as they went downstairs.
"I want you to pack as quickly as you can. Just what you can fit into a small bag…just what you can carry yourself…there's no telling what it'll be like at the station."
He stopped on the landing and pulled her into his embrace, breathing in her rose perfume.
"Christine, we'll get married along the way…one way or another, I want you to be my wife."
He pushed her gently back against the wall and kissed her one more time with increasing desperation.
Nazis be damned…Christine was his…forever.