Accidental Father

by Nancy Robards Thompson

  Still, even though he’d gotten everything he’d wanted from that call, Alex felt terrible after he hung up the phone. Was taking his son away from the only mother he’d ever known really in Liam’s best interest?

  Then he remembered the video he’d obtained of the Vonisian militants torturing a captive.

  No, taking Liam to St. Michel was for the best. For his son and for Julianne. Somehow, he’d have to make her see things his way.

  The message from Alex said that he had a surprise for Julianne, and asked if she could meet him for lunch at the Café des Capucines, just down the street from the Opéra Garnier.

  It was the day of the concert, and her schedule was full. The morning was packed with rehearsals and photographs and last-minute fine-tuning for the evening performance. Still, when she’d tried to beg off, he’d told her it was urgent, that he really would appreciate her making the time.

  “You have to eat,” he’d said. “Let’s get lunch.”

  She had a nagging feeling the urgency centered around Liam. Surely, given how attentive and interested in the boy as Alex had been, she couldn’t imagine the surprise would be anything bad…

  After all, he said he had a surprise for her.

  Weren’t surprises usually good?

  She certainly was pleasantly surprised when she arrived at the busy café and found him waiting for her at the most charming, most private table in the place. She only had about an hour before she had to get back to the theater, so it was a definite plus that he already had their table.

  He looked nice in khaki pants and a dark blue button-down. His hair was gelled so that it stood up a little, just enough to be fashionable, but messy enough to look like he wasn’t trying too hard. The sight of him made her smile as she wound her way through the crowded maze of tables toward him.

  He looked up from the menu and spotted her, getting to his feet to greet her.

  “You look beautiful,” he said. “Thank you for meeting me.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder and leaned in and kissed her on the right cheek. Her face warmed and her heartbeat sped up. Even though she knew the kiss was strictly a polite custom, he hadn’t greeted her like that before. Another nice surprise, she thought as he pulled out her chair and she settled herself.

  It wasn’t until she was reaching for her napkin that she noticed the battered Bundy flute case on the table next to her place setting.

  “What is this?” she asked, even though she knew good and well it was the flute she’d looked at yesterday in the Boulevard St. Michel junk shop.

  Alex sat across from her looking very pleased with himself.

  “It’s your surprise,” he said. “Though I think you already know what it is. Open it. Give it a look and see if it’s still as you hoped it would be.”

  She shot him one last quizzical look…an un-spoken why…? Before she placed the case on her lap and did just that.

  “Alex, why did you do this?”

  He shrugged. “You mentioned it would help your students.”

  A warm glow spread through her, and as a heartbreaker of a smile spread over his face her pulse jumped again. Unnerved, she struggled for a way to get back on solid ground. Especially because what she wanted to do was jump up and hug him. That’s what Marissa would’ve done. But that wasn’t Julianne’s style. By the time she’d finished thinking through the act in her head—seeing the flute, imagining jumping up while squealing a thrilled thank-you-so-much-Alex, throwing her arms around his neck, possibly even planting a kiss of gratitude on his full bottom lip—the spontaneity had passed.

  The moment was gone.

  “Please let me reimburse you,” she murmured. “But please tell me you didn’t pay the price that bandit was demanding.”

  “Ahh.” He waved away the suggestion. “Think of it as a charitable contribution to your foundation. Though I did manage to get the local discount.” He winked at her. “In all seriousness, I simply went in with proof of what the flute was selling for online and offered him double that amount. It worked out to about the same cost after you factor in shipping and handling.”

  She was quite touched by his gesture, and for a moment, the words to relay her gratitude escaped her. She was relieved when the server, a petite blonde wearing a white button-down and black slacks with a white apron tied around her waist, approached and started speaking to them in French.

  When Alex relayed that the special of the day was salade niçoise, Julianne was delighted to discover it was a dish she’d been dying to try. She ordered it and iced tea. Alex ordered boeuf bourguignon and suggested they share a bottle of wine.

  “I know it would be delicious with the salad, but I still have a long day ahead and if I drink, I might fall asleep at my music stand.”

  She closed the flute case and set it on the floor by her feet.

  “You’re still coming to the concert tonight, aren’t you?”

  He leaned forward, as if he was interested in her every word. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  The relief that flooded through her was unsettling. It struck her like whiplash, flipping her thoughts first one way, and then back in the other direction. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, white envelope, happy to hand it to him rather than leave it at the impersonal will call window. “Here’s your ticket.”

  “Thank you.” He smiled at her and she lost herself for a moment. There was more to Alex Lejardin than she’d initially given him credit for. The proof was in how he treated his son. And in his purchase of the flute for her music foundation, which proved that he was not only generous, but warm-hearted and kind, too. He was also funny and gorgeous with his mile-wide shoulders and that way of looking at her that threatened to make her lose her good sense and contemplate ridiculous things such as jumping up and kissing him.

  That was not good. Even if the thoughts of kissing him were just that…thoughts. And that’s exactly how they would remain—rogue thoughts forever banished to the dark corner of her mind.

  Alex Lejardin was of no interest to her beyond being Liam’s father because he’d been intimate with her sister. She still didn’t know his side of the story…other than that they’d had a child, and that was more than enough information to blind her to his green eyes and great smile.

  Even so, as he raised his glass to hers, she heard herself uttering, “Good. I’m glad you can come.”

  The server brought their food, and they made polite conversation as they ate. After the dishes were cleared, Alex looked at her for a long moment, his face serious.

  The light that had shown in his eyes earlier as they talked about the Bundy was gone, replaced by something more solemn.

  “So, you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said, settling back in his chair.

  She nodded, grounded by that jolt of reality. “Yes, we are. I can’t believe we’ve been away for three weeks. It’s gone by so fast.”

  “I’m glad it’s been a good trip.” He absently fingered a coffee spoon that remained on the table, moving it back and forth in a contemplative gesture.

  “I’m very grateful to you for bringing my son to me, Julianne. If not for you, I would’ve lost even more time with him. I might have never known about him at all.”

  Yes. His tone was definitely too serious.

  She had a distinct feeling the flute wasn’t the real surprise?

  She placed her hands neatly in her lap, one on top of the other, a calming counter to the jarring turn she feared this conversation was about to take.

  “I’m glad everything worked out,” she said. “I was so nervous coming to your office that first day. Especially since I thought you’d chosen to not be part of Liam’s life.”

  Alex remained quiet for a long moment. The sounds of the busy restaurant—the chatter and clatter of cutlery on china echoing in the void between them.

  “There are some things we need to talk about before you go home,” Alex said. “Arrangements concerning Liam.”

  Julianne laced her finger
s together tightly, willing herself not to fidget. Just because he was watching his spoon handle slip back and forth on the table and not looking her in the eyes didn’t mean he was going to deliver bad news.

  “I told you a little about my family yesterday,” he said. “That my brother is married to the queen of St. Michel. So even though Liam is not in line for the throne, he’s still related to the royal family.”

  Julianne nodded, holding her breath because she could tell by the way he paused that there was definitely something more. An “and…” waiting in the wings.

  “And…I know I haven’t spoken much about my job with iWITNESS, but it’s a bit dangerous. Not in the same nature that Marissa’s job was dangerous. Still, what I do can have serious consequences for some people. People who have no qualms about killing others who get in their way.”

  What?

  His words hit like a white-hot electric jolt.

  He picked this moment to lift his lashes and look her in the eyes. The torment she saw in his face caused panic the likes of which she’d never known to hatch in her belly and start clawing its way out.

  “Julianne, what I’m getting at is…Liam is a prime target for retribution. And you are, too, if he lives with you—”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “Who would hurt a baby?”

  “Sadly, many of the people my organization opposes. Liam needs to be somewhere safe—”

  “Are you suggesting I leave Liam with you? I won’t give him up. He’s all the family I have left. I may not be his biological mother, I’ve been his only mother for the past three months, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a man who hasn’t even known him forty-eight hours take him away from me.”

  Alex opened his mouth the speak, but she didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

  “Do you really expect me to believe that safety is an issue? If so, how can you, as a single father protect him—no, not just protect him, how can you raise him, give him the kind of life he deserves while you keep a job that gains you enemies around the world?”

  Her foot kicked the edge of the flute case, and she was struck with the urge to give it back to Alex. She’d given him too much credit. The only reason he’d purchased that flute was because he thought it would butter her up.

  A flute in exchange for her baby?

  Was he crazy? Using some cockamamy story about national security to frighten her into leaving Liam.

  “Look, I’m sorry you don’t believe me. I know this sounds unreal, but it is very real and you have to understand that. Remember the men you saw in the park? The ones you thought were following us down Boulevard St. Michel? They were indeed following us. I hired them to do just that. So, what I’m trying to help you understand is because of both iWITNESS and St. Michel’s Secret Service, I have access to state-of-the-art security measures. But only if Liam stays here—or more precisely, in St. Michel.”

  “No!”

  Several people turned and looked at them.

  Alex leaned in. “You’re welcome to come with him.” He spoke in hushed tones, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Because she didn’t want others eavesdropping on their conversation, she lowered her tone, too. “We can’t stay, Alex. We can’t just unpack our suitcases and take an extended vacation. Liam and I have a life in Washington. That’s our home. I have a job. That’s where we belong.”

  He nodded. “Yes, that is where your life is. I assumed as much. But I had to make the offer for my son’s sake. I know he is attached to you.”

  Dear God, what have I done by involving Alex in Liam’s life? She’d only meant to introduce an uninterested man to his lovable little boy—to make life better for Liam. To ensure he’d always have enough to cover health care and schooling, college even. She never dreamed the Alex that her sister had described would suggest Liam stay with him permanently. That he’d try to take Liam away from her.

  She especially hadn’t meant to put her baby in harm’s way—if the unbelievable scare tactics Alex was using were even true.

  “We don’t have to come to any conclusions right this minute,” Alex said. “However, this is something we need to iron out before you leave Paris tomorrow.”

  “Sorry, but I won’t be willing to give up Liam tomorrow, either.”

  For once in her life, Julianne did something spontaneous. She pushed her chair away from the table, grabbed her purse and stormed out of the café.

  Chapter Five

  Alex found his seat in the balcony of the theater. Even though the Continental Symphony Orchestra was a small orchestra, he wanted to be sure he had the best vantage point to see Julianne as she played.

  Alex had seen enough orchestra performances to know that as a flutist, Julianne would be seated in the row behind the strings, hidden by her colleagues. So, he’d exchanged the orchestra-level ticket she’d given him for a seat in the balcony.

  As he settled in, other patrons began to file into the hall and the musicians began to take their seats on stage, arranging music stands and warming up with scales and various tuning exercises. Alex’s gaze immediately snapped to Julianne when she appeared from the wings as if he’d sensed her. Her hair was pulled back into a twist, making her neck look slender and elegant. She moved gracefully to her place, the silver of her flute brilliant against the plain black of her long dress. She settled herself on the edge of her seat, very much in the manner she had that first day in his office, and began the process of readying herself to play.

  It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of the classical musician. Into Julianne’s world. Though Alex had witnessed this pre-concert buzz numerous times before with different ensembles, actually knowing someone in the orchestra made him see it with new eyes.

  Her flute’s trill rose above the cacophony of the string and various wind instruments. She went into a series of scales played at a dizzying speed with deft precision.

  And this is only her warm-up.

  Julianne, like most of the musicians, kept to herself—in a sort of musical zone, it seemed. Cloaked in her typical cool aura, she didn’t seem to be bringing any of the upset from today’s lunch with her on stage.

  Of course not. She is a professional.

  Still, he was sorry he’d been forced to drop that unfortunate bomb on her so close to performance time. But there wasn’t any other opportunity to talk to her. He’d known she’d need a period of time to digest everything. Once she’d had time to put everything into perspective, they would discuss what would happen next: whether she would send Liam to St. Michel alone or if she would to come with him. The only absolute was that Liam would be going to St. Michel.

  Alex’s heart felt leaden in his chest, because he knew she probably wasn’t any happier now than when she’d left him at the restaurant this afternoon.

  She’d set the Bundy flute case on the table.

  “Thank you, but I have to turn down your donation because it feels as if you’re asking me to exchange my child for a used flute.”

  “Julianne, don’t be ridiculous. I’m not trying to bribe or otherwise entice you to exchange your nephew. Don’t make a rash decision about the boy’s safety.”

  He could see his words weren’t winning her over so he changed tactics.

  “You said yourself that one of your students could greatly benefit from this flute. In a similar way, Liam needs you to keep an open mind for his well-being.”

  The way she glared at him made it clear she didn’t appreciate the analogy.

  “How can you even lump the two into the same category? They’re not even remotely similar.”

  It was a no-win situation. Of course the two were not even in the same category. The flute was junk; Liam was priceless. And that was exactly why he couldn’t take any chances with his safety, even if the thought of separating Julianne and Liam killed him.

  “Julianne, please be reasonable. Think about the implications of taking Liam back to Washington. Are you really willing to put him in harm’s way?”<
br />
  “Harm’s way? I have a hard time believing that a boy you didn’t even know existed forty-eight hours ago could be used as a pawn.”

  She’d been impervious to his words. He’d pushed the flute toward her anyway as she stood to leave.

  She glanced down at it and then her blue eyes flashed angrily at him.

  “You know what the worst part is, Alex? You want to ship him off, put him in cold storage. What kind of life is that for a little boy? You don’t love him. You don’t even know him. How can you know what’s best for him? But I do. That’s why Liam and I are going home tomorrow.” She gestured towards the door as if it were the way back to the States. “Please forget you ever met me. You don’t have to send money. Not a dime. Then there will be no trail for the bad guys to follow. We’ll go so quietly that nobody will even know we were here.”

  She turned around and walked away before he could answer, leaving him stuck between this rock of reason and the very hard place of knowing what had to be done.

  He did love Liam.

  He had since the instant he’d seen the boy.

  The St. Michel Secret Service men who were now assigned to Liam had reported that Liam was in the building with Anita, the woman who cared for him while Julianne worked. The bodyguards were backstage discreetly watching over the boy. Alex had told them to “blend in” with the backstage crew so as not to alarm Anita. The bodyguards said the babysitter seemed unaware of their presence. Case in point as to why Liam needed professional security.

  Giving Anita credit, there was no reason that she’d think Liam needed security—and the best case situation would be that he never would. His bodyguards would remain “off stage” in Liam’s life and the boy would live a normal life. He wouldn’t live in “cold storage,” as Julianne had described it. But even the smallest chance of danger was too much to risk. So, Alex would proceed with his plan.