Prepare yourself for a bit of a roller coaster over the next few chapters. And please let me know you're reading along and what you think!

Chapter 27

I doubted there was much I could say to ease Madeline's concerns. No matter what, I assumed she would believe me. After two decades of knowing me I could not imagine why she did not blindly trust my every word.

"The house is in your name," I reminded her. "All of the paperwork for the estate purchase as well as the banking records are in the bottom drawer of my desk."

Her expression turned to pure horror. "You speak like a man expecting his death."

"Should something happen..." I started to say.

"God forbid." Madeline made the sign of the cross in front of me, which hardly seemed necessary.

"I would like to keep my affairs in order for Julia's sake."

Madeline clearly did not believe a word I spoke. She shook her head at me in dismay. "Why are you saying this?" she whispered.

"To be prepared," I stated. After the incident in the alley with de Chagny I had wondered if Madeline would have been the one to enter my room and rifle through my unfinished music as well as all of my finances. Being the one who handled the banking transactions on my behalf, I supposed the duty would fall upon her.

"Erik!" Julia shouted from the front door. She sounded almost breathless. "We will leave in five minutes."

"I will be there in a moment," I called back over my shoulder.

Once the door shut again, Madeline looked me over with grave concern in her eyes. "You are not telling me everything," she said, keeping her voice low.

As much as I wanted to tell her I did not owe her a damned thing, that was, of course, not true. I owed her greatly, more than anyone else I knew, but I had no information to give her.

"Should something happen to me I would like my estate split evenly between you and Julia. Do I have your word, Madame?" I asked, my tone matching hers.

With ragged breaths and tears in her eyes, Madeline gave a hesitant nod. She stared blankly at me as though the words had not quite registered.

"There are funds set aside for Alexandre's education," I continued. "That is in a separate envelope with his name on it. I would think Charles would be most adept at handling Alex's paperwork and funding for university, but I trust you will do as seems fit."

There was more than enough money set aside for my son where he would be able to travel after he graduated from university and became an exploring, lion-taming, doctor who would travel to the moon, which was what he wanted to be for the time being.

I had made certain from the moment Alex was first placed in my arms that he would live a comfortable life should I no longer be able to care for him. From the time he was an infant I couldn't picture myself without him, but I could imagine Alex as a young adult enjoying all the world had to offer. With his charm, intelligence, and his mother's face, the world was limitless for him. As much as I desired to keep him by my side, I wanted my son to live the life that had remained out of my reach.

"Please tell me you will not voluntarily leave Julia a widow and your son an orphan."

Madeline's words caught me off-guard, and I momentarily stammered. After lying awake the majority of the night, I had no desire to think in terms of "widow" and "orphan" when I thought of my wife and son. My duty to them was financial security, which I would more than excel at providing.

"They-they will be comfortable in the event I am unable to…" Live? I wasn't certain I would be given the choice. The surgeon's wife certainly had not been given a choice in whether she lived, died, or remained a whore passed around from prisoner to prisoner. Whenever I heard the tinkle of a bell or saw Alex work on puzzles, I thought of the woman I had foolishly thought I could save. My arrogance had led to her demise, and despite years of attempting to forget all of them, I still woke with her name on the tip of my tongue. No matter what, Shazeen Khan remained on my mind.

"Oh, Erik," Madeline admonished in her motherly tone.

"I will not voluntarily place anyone in harm's way," I said at last, hoping to finally end the conversation.

"That is not an answer."

"That is my answer. You will not question me further."

"What would these men want with you?"

Of course she would continue to question me.

"Revenge, I suppose."

"For what?" Madeline gasped.

Again I stammered. "For something I do not wish to discuss."

"Have you told Julia?"

I sighed heavily, irritated by Madeline's tenacity. "We discussed the matter last night," I said tightly.

Madeline narrowed her eyes. "How could you do this?"

"I beg your pardon, Madame? I am protecting my family," I answered. "Why is this a crime?"

Honestly, I did not know what Madeline and Julia expected from me. In all of my years I had been foolish and stubborn, but never a coward. If I wished to defend my wife and children, I would be damned if anyone would stop me.

"Keeping secrets with the intention to die is not protecting your family."

My mouth dropped open but no words seemed to suffice. "Death is not my intention," I muttered at last. "A consequence, perhaps, but not my intention."

"Good, then you should speak with Monsieur Leach," Madeline suggested.

My hands balled into fists and I forced myself to take a deep breath. Months, even weeks earlier, I would have had no qualms about breaking a dish before I stormed from the room and slammed several doors behind me in a fit of rage, but that mood did not suit my life nor my family.

"Leach Investigative Services?" I snidely asked.

"You have heard of his business?" Madeline seemed somewhat surprised.

"We've already spoken. He believes the man I saw is from Germany."

Madeline furrowed her brow. "I know who I saw."

'I have no doubt," I said under my breath.

The front door opened and footsteps pounded through the foyer. "Alexandre," Madeline and I both snapped in unison.

Alex burst into the dining room, stopped only by his body slamming into the nearest chair. His sudden arrival drew Ruby from the kitchen and she stared at him with her mouth agape.

"Mother says she needs you," Alex blurted out. His face was as bright red as the day he had first come to me, and once I saw him smile, I could not help but forgive his boorish ways.

"Yes, yes, or you will all leave without me," I replied.

I looked to Madeline one last time and knew full well she would not say another word with Alex present. She reached for him and cupped his face in her hands.

"You take care of your father, do you hear me?"

Alex gave her a quizzical look but still nodded before briefly turning his attention toward me. "Father needs me, very much, doesn't he?"

He had no idea how true his words were, how much I had needed him from the moment he came into my life. By no stretch of imagination was I a perfect father, and on most days I felt I failed him in one way or another, but I loved him. There was no expense I would not spare, no sacrifice I would not make on his behalf.

"What would your father do without you?" Madeline mused. "And what would you do without him?"

"Thank goodness Father woke up in time or we would have left without him for ten whole days." His dark eyes grew wider. "That is a third of the month!"

"Idle threats, I believe," I said as I crossed my arms and looked him over.

"Let me look at that face one more time," Madeline insisted as she grabbed Alex by the shoulders. His smile widened as he flung his arms around Madeline and allowed her to smother him with as many kisses as she could manage to dole out before he pulled away.

He was catching up to her in height, I noticed. He stood tall and slim like me, with a round face and curls of hair like his mother. His effervescent personality, however, was truly his own, for which I was grateful.

"Grand-mere, will you make certain Audrey and Xavier do not forget me and Lissy while we are on holiday?"

Madeline sneaked in one last kiss. "You have my word."

She looked at me as she spoke and I nodded for Alex to return outside.

"If I see that man again, what should I do?" Madeline asked once Alex slammed the door shut. She gripped the back of her chair with both hands and shifted her weight.

As much as Madeline's question galled me, I rolled my tongue along the inside of my cheek and sighed at last. "I will speak to Monsieur Leach once we arrive."

"Do you think these men will follow you?"

"I think if they make any attempt to come near my wife or children they will regret their choice."

Madeline did not appear completely satisfied with my answer, but she allowed the conversation to thankfully end. She motioned me out of the dining room with a flourish of her hand. "You should not keep your wife waiting a moment longer," she commented.

"Indeed, Madame. Who will you irritate for the next ten days without me in Paris?" I asked under my breath.

She shook her head at my words. "I suppose I will wait until you have returned."

"Naturally." I grunted and gave her one last look before I walked out of the dining room. "Do not allow that damned cat to starve while we are away."

"Go," Madeline said with a chuckle.

Bright sunlight and a bewildered looking young man in gray trousers, light blue shirt and gray waistcoat greeted me once I exited the house. Everyone-including Bessie-had already made their way into the carriage.

I looked past the carriage driver and my waiting family and swept my gaze across the length of the street. Aside from some children tossing a ball around near the corner, the streets were relatively empty.

"Monsieur Kire?" the young man asked. He swiped a curl of black hair away from his forehead and took a step forward, his wide eyes drawn to my mask. He stared unabashedly for a long moment in uncomfortable silence.

"I apologize if you were waiting long," I said at last. I met his eye briefly before I turned my attention to the open cab door where Bessie sat in the middle, tongue lolled to the side and a look of pure joy in her eyes.

"Forgive me, sir," the carriage driver nervously interrupted.

I glanced at him and nodded, having no idea why he apologized, though I suspected the moments spent waiting for me to walk out to the carriage resulted in an additional charge for services. With a sigh I reached into my pocket with the intention of simply paying whatever sum he demanded.

"Are you the composer?" the boy blurted out. He offered a smile as equally nervous as his tone. Again he took a swipe at his hair, which had not moved, before he stood with his hands clasped in front of him and his feet shuffling back and forth. "E.M. Kire?"

"Yes! He is!" Lisette answered on my behalf. It seemed she had decided to make a habit of being my voice when I was caught off-guard by someone recognizing my name.

The cab driver looked me over as though I suddenly turned green or sprouted horns. I stared back at him, having no idea what to say.

"Your music is… My mother will not believe it when I… May I shake your… Forgive me, I had no idea I would have the honor of meeting you today until..." He peered back into the carriage. "The reservation was made by Monsieur Leach, of course."

Of course! Who the hell else would make a reservation on my behalf?

'How kind of Monsieur Leach," I managed to say without raising my voice.

"Your wife corrected me, of course. This is a truly unmatched honor. Your work… I cannot begin to describe how your music... " He tugged at his collar. "I cannot express myself properly."

His words left me dumbfounded. I offered my hand with a bit of hesitation and the boy wiped his hands on his pants and examined them before he returned a handshake so light I barely felt his touch. "Thank you for your kind words," I said despite him not finishing most of his sentences.

The driver ran both of his hands over his hair and stepped back. "Please, Monsieur, this way at once. I do hope you will forgive me for acting so foolish."

"You flatter me," I said as I gripped the handle and stepped into the cab, unable to suppress a smile.

"The flattery is well deserved," the driver said as he made every attempt to guide me into the carriage.

With a low ceiling and a dog who decided she was not about to move aside on my account, I stepped awkwardly into the carriage, which was not at all designed for a man of my height. Alex and Lisette moved to the outside edges of the bench and I sat rather hard beside Julia once I managed to turn myself. The moment I was seated, Bessie decided to move closer to Lisette.

The cab driver gave a wide, wonder-filled smile before he closed and secured the door. Once we were settled, I turned and faced Julia.

"You look…" Terrible, I wanted to say. "Unwell."

Julia turned her face away from me and I saw her grimace. "I will be fine once we arrive."

The carriage lurched forward and in unison we swayed as the horses broke into a steady trot.

"Julia-"

"I will be fine," she said firmly. Her eyes pressed shut momentarily as she twisted her spine. With another grimace, she swallowed hard and exhaled a ragged breath.

I looked from her to Lisette and Alex, who had their faces pressed to the glass and remarked on every single person and building we passed. I seemed to be the only one concerned for Julia's well-being.

"Are you certain?" I whispered into Julia's ear.

A long silence followed, the pause in conversation filled only with her harsh breaths. She reached out and gripped my hand with greater force than I expected, which caused me to sit up straighter as I examined her features and complexion. Her face was sallow, her forehead damp with perspiration and visage somewhat contorted. It reminded me of how Meg looked when I had wheeled Charles in to see her between the births of their children.

"Julia?"

"Once we arrive at the train station I think I will feel much better," she answered without a bit of conviction in her voice. Her eyes slit open and she forced a thin smile.

"No," I said firmly. "Tell me what is wrong."

Alex turned to face us, his eyes wide as I unintentionally raised my voice. He stared at me briefly before he turned toward the window again. I had no doubt he listened in silence while pretending the storefronts fascinated him.

"A bit of pain," Julia answered, her voice low. She twisted again, one hand against her lower back, the other resting against her belly.

"From what?" I questioned.

She did not offer a reply. Biting her lower lip, she sat back and attempted to stifle a groan by turning her head from me.

"Mother?" Lisette questioned. She turned from the window and leaned toward Julia as she reached for her mother's hand.

"Julia," I said firmly, my voice hedged with sudden panic.

Julia tilted with the movements of the carriage, her shoulder pressed to mine. I snaked my arm around her, steadying her for fear she would suddenly fall forward. At last she turned her face toward me once more and reached up, turning my head so that her lips were against the shell of my ear.

"I do not wish to say it in front of the children," she said, her voice hollow.

"Alex, tell the driver to stop at once," I ordered.

Alex yanked on the tasseled chord above his head while Lisette pushed the carriage window open and shouted to the driver. All at once the carriage veered to the side of the street and came to a sudden stop.

"Julia," I whispered.

The carriage driver pulled the door open and gawked at us. "Monsieur?" he questioned. His gaze immediately settled on Julia, his expression twisted with concern. "Madame?"

"Give me a moment," Julia pleaded.

I felt her body tense in my grasp and had a feeling there was not a moment to spare. Something was terribly wrong-and my wife would not tell me what was happening.

"Julia," I said. "You are not well."

"Please do not be upset with me," she whispered as she gripped my hand hard again.