Kate and Ara were in the kitchen, sipping tea while waiting for Bastien.

—How are you?

—Better, more at ease now. It was horrible… I thought something bad was going to happen, but Bastien was wonderful. And Lucca arrived just in time.

—Lucca was in bed with me, talking to the baby, when he got Bastien's message.

—Message?

—Yes. He said to meet him on the road, him and his men. To go prepared.

—I don’t even know when Bastien sent that message, but thank God he’s so perceptive. I didn’t notice anything until I saw him tense, watching the rearview mirror.

—Lucca took off like a bullet with Joel and the men. Bastien must be furious. Lucca’s been tearing places apart looking for the person who left those photos in your apartment.

—I still can’t believe how real they looked.

—But Bastien didn’t believe them, Kate. I know he learned his lesson. And you did too, or you wouldn’t be here with him.

—I can’t deny what I feel, Ara. It broke me when he doubted me… but his presence calms me. When he