Page 73 of Pascal and the Forger
“Boss,” Jason called from the other side. “You have visitors.”
Mathieu’s brow furrowed. “They’re gonna have to wait; I’m not expecting anybody.”
Jason cleared his throat. “It’s uh— It’s your sister.”
Mathieu shot upright, wide eyes turning to Win as he scrambled off the bed. “Chantal? What— What is she doing here?”
Win went to him, smiling gently. “You should go find out, my love.”
Mathieu swallowed, jerking his head in a nod. “Right.” He licked his lips. “Right.” But he didn’t move, he simply fidgeted from foot to foot.
“Hey.” Win cupped his cheek, forcing him to meet his eyes. “She’s here to see you and that’s a good thing. Don’t make her wait.”
Panic flashed in Mathieu’s eyes but he took a deep breath and turned away, getting dressed in a whirlwind of movement. Win watched him with a curve of his lips. The siblings had their issues that needed to be ironed out, but he didn’t think Mathieu had anything to worry about. He and Chantal would be okay, Win was sure of it.
“Come with me.” When he was fully clothed, Mathieu turned to Win. “I want you there with me.”
“I will be. Go.” Win pointed to the door. “I’ll be right behind you.” Mathieu and Chantal needed a few minutes to themselves, he figured, and he would give them that. So he kissed Mathieu on the cheek and watched as his lover walked out of the room.
A good chunk of time passed by the time Win completed his shower, got dressed, and made his way downstairs to the living room. There he found Mathieu and Chantal sitting side by side, a blond giant of a man sitting next to Chantal.
Must be the husband Win had heard so much about. Aleks.
Chantal spotted Win first and her eyes lit up as she got to her feet. “Win.”
“Chantal.” He went to her, taking both of her hands in his. “Thank you for coming.”
Her eyes were wet when she blinked, glancing from him to Mathieu and back. “Thank you for reaching out to me.”
Mathieu’s eyes narrowed. He would have questions later but right now Win smiled at Mathieu’s sister. “You’re family,” he told her softly. “Nothing else matters.” He released her and turned to her man, introducing himself, and received a solid and perfunctory handshake in return. Aleks didn’t speak much, but he looked at Chantal as if she was the most precious thing.
Mathieu had told Win the marriage between Chantal and Aleks had been arranged, a business thing, but the way they looked at each other, the little touches and shit, that didn’t look businesslike at all. Maybe it was the fact that Win was happy, but he hoped Chantal had found what she was looking for in Aleks.
The four of them made their way outside to the backyard, where the siblings talked while the chef served them brunch. It made Win’s chest feel so full watching Mathieu and Chantal. They deserved to have each other in their lives. Mathieu missed his sister terribly and it ate away at him that he was the reason for her not being in his life. It was seeing his lover miss his sister so much, especially after Stavros and Daniel showed up with a head in a fucking box, that made Win reach out to Chantal and ask her to come to Miami for a visit. He’d kept it from Mathieu because he didn’t know how his lover would react.
Mathieu had wanted to make the first move, Win knew. But his lover had also been reluctant, afraid his sister wouldn’t want anything to do with him. So Win had taken the decision out of his hands. He didn’t think Mathieu minded. In fact, glancing over at Mathieu as he smiled at something Chantal said, Win was pretty sure Mathieu didn’t mind.
* * *
“Thank you,” Mathieu murmured at Win’s nape as they stood in the driveway watching Chantal and Aleks’ car drive off.
The couple was returning to their hotel after making dinner plans for the next evening before they headed back to New York. Mathieu stood at Win’s back, arms wrapped around him, breath on his neck.
“You’re welcome.” Win turned in his lover’s embrace, arms sliding around Mathieu’s waist as he told him, “I love you. I’ll do anything for you.”
Mathieu nodded, expression unusually serious. “I know.” He dipped his head, bumping his nose to Win’s. “I would do the same. Every time.” He kissed Win, hard and bruising, then lifted his head and called out to Jason, who stood a few feet away, expression the same sullen one ever since Mathieu had given Samirah Mitri her freedom. The good doctor had fled Miami without a backward glance. “Set up a call with Stavros and Nieto.”
“Wait, what?” Win fisted Mathieu’s shirt. “Aren’t they threatening war with you?” What would they have to talk about?
“They are.” Mathieu smoothed a hand down Win’s back. “But like I said, I would do anything for you. I’m not putting you in the middle of a war, not if I can prevent it.”
“Mathieu.” Win’s voice cracked.
“You come before anything else.” Mathieu cupped his jaw. “Your safety comes first.”
“But— What does that mean?” He was almost afraid to ask.
“Come on.” Mathieu grabbed his hand, linking their fingers as they went back into the house and into Mathieu’s office, where Jason had the call set up on the phone on Mathieu’s desk.
