He brushed his lips gently against hers, the touch feather-light. She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.
No one could guess what tomorrow would bring. But she had this moment—this day. Right now, she had Nick.
He kissed her one last time, then pulled away, putting some distance between them. Her heart pounded, and her breathing rushed out in a whoosh of air.
She wanted him, baggage and all.
“For the first time in a long time, I feel like it’s going to be okay,” Nick said.
She closed her eyes, letting the words run through her. Then she said two words in response. “Me, too.”
The next day, they left Interlaken and headed back to France. For three days—his best since their breakup—Nick explored castles with Paige. They seemed to have reached a tentative truce, and he found himself hoping that by the end of summer, she could begin to trust him again.
As for Nick, there were two people he definitely didn’t trust—Evie and Ryan. He hadn’t caught them breaking curfew again. But they were constantly having whispered conversations together, and the way the hair stood up on the back of Nick’s neck told him that something was up. Paige agreed, but there wasn’t much they could do other than keep an eye out.
“They’re talking again,” Paige said, eying the couple. Evie and Ryan sat near the front of the bus, their heads close together as they whispered.
“They haven’t interacted with anyone else this entire trip,” Nick said. They’d be to Paris in a half hour, tops—the last leg of this tour—and he was no closer to figuring out what was up with Evie and Ryan, or finding the double agent.
“We can’t let them go home without saying something,” Paige said. “It’s irresponsible. What if Evie is in serious danger?”
Nick had worried about the same thing. He’d spent some time digging into Evie’s past but hadn’t discovered anything particularly shocking. Her mother had remarried a few years ago, and the police had visited the house numerous times. Her step-father had a long rap sheet of petty crimes, and her mother had a history of unstable relationships. Evie was caught in the middle of a destructive cycle.
“We’ll talk to her on the last day, if nothing has changed by then,” Nick said. The bus went over a bump, and Paige bounced into him, leaving a trail of heat in her wake. “But she’s an adult—we can’t force her into anything. If she wants to go home, we have to let her.”
“She’s barely eighteen.” Paige’s eyes burned with fury. “She’s probably terrified. Her automatic response will be to deny anything’s wrong and go back to her mom.”
“And we’ll give her options,” Nick said. “Ryan will be on our side. Maybe, between the three of us, we can come up with a plan. But for now, let’s watch and see.”
Paige nodded, biting her lip. He could tell she wasn’t sure he’d made the right call. He wasn’t sure, either. The pang in his gut made him uncertain.
“It’ll be weird to see all these sites with a new set of kids,” Paige said.
Nick enveloped her hand in his. “I’m glad we get a chance to do it all again. This time, I want to see everything with you.”
She blushed, the tips of her ears glowing red. “I’d like that. There’s a lot of Europe left to visit.”
He knew what she was hinting at. Yesterday, Paige had casually mentioned she was taking the Chunnel to London as soon as all the teens were on a plane. They had five days off before the next tour started, and Layla and Tyler were going with Paige to England. Nick had a feeling she wouldn’t complain if he invited himself along.
But Nick had other plans. He was headed to Amsterdam, where he’d track down Racer. Hopefully, he could put an end to this investigation once and for all. And once he did, he’d plan a future with Paige.
Maybe even one that included a career change.
“There it is,” Paige said, her face pressed to the glass.
“What?” Nick asked. And then he saw it—the Eiffel Tower. It rose toward the sky, lights glittering in the dusky sky.
“Amazing.” Paige glanced at Nick, grinning. “I’ve literally dreamed of this moment my entire life. I bet the view from the top is spectacular.”
“Tomorrow,” Nick said, kissing her cheek. “Is that what you’re most excited to see?”
“Yes. No.” She laughed, and her eyes drifted back to the Eiffel Tower. “Don’t make me choose.”
“It is pretty magnificent.” It had taken his breath away the first time he came to Paris, too. But he’d never made it to the top. That was a first he’d share with Paige.
“I can’t believe they were going to tear it down after the World Fair in 1899. Everyone thought it was a monstrosity. Did you know it attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction in the world?”
He smiled, tracing her lips with his finger. He loved the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of history. “I didn’t know that.”
“You don’t seem as impressed by the Eiffel Tower as I’d expect you to be.”
“I’m impressed. Promise.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”
“A few times, yeah.”
“Right. I should’ve realized.”
He rubbed a thumb along the back of her hand, wishing he was free to tell her everything. “I’m sorry.” The words were inadequate to express everything he wished he could say.
“Did you do much site seeing?” Paige asked.
He guessed that depended on her definition. Crowds made for a great place to drop off a package or pass along a message without drawing a lot of attention. “I’ve been to a lot of the more popular tourist landmarks. But I was busy at the time, and not looking at it as a tourist.”
She nodded, her eyes grave with understanding.
“I’ve never been to the top of the Eiffel Tower,” he said. “My first time will be with you.”
Her smile returned, but the creases around her eyes and tightly pressed lips spoke of the effort it took. “I think I’m most excited for the Eiffel Tower, and then the museums. Versailles is in a category all its own. Did you know the palace has seven hundred rooms? As many as three thousand people would live there at a time.”
The passion in her voice fascinated him. Everything about Paige pulled him in. He’d felt the wall between them ever since his return, but he was slowly breaking it down. “What museums are you looking forward to the most?”
“Probably the Louvre. I know, I know—it’s a little cliché. But I’ve been dying to see Napoleon’s Apartments.”
That surprised him. “You’re not most excited about the Mona Lisa?”
“I guess. But there are lots of historical artifacts in the Louvre that aren’t just oil on canvas.”
“So the Mona Lisa isn’t historically significant?” he said, teasing now.
Paige slapped him on the arm. “That’s not what I said. But the Mona Lisa is for the tourists who want to pretend they marveled at the secrets held within the Louvre. There’s so much more to that building—to the history inside—than one piece of art.”
Nick laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him. He kissed the crown of her head. “I love you.”
She snuggled against him but didn’t say it back. That was okay though. He could wait until she was ready.
“Oh my gosh,” one of the girls squealed from the back of the bus. “Guys, the Eiffel Tower!”
The bus exploded in noise as teens looked up from their phones to find the famous structure. Paige rolled her eyes, and Nick laughed.
Traffic was congested, and the bus inched toward their hotel at a crawl. Finally, they piled into the spacious hotel lobby, which housed two couches and chairs surrounding a fireplace.
“Ritzy,” Paige said, looking around the room. “We can almost all fit in here without getting claustrophobic.”
“Things are definitely not as roomy in Europe,” Nick said.
“It’s par
t of its charm,” Paige said.
Ryan, his face lined with stress, pushed his way toward the reception desk, where Layla handed out room keys. Nick scanned the room and found Evie near the back of the group, biting her nails.
He hoped she’d accept help. Ryan’s family seemed respectable and influential. Maybe they’d be willing to help. The couple seemed to really love each other.
“Head check at ten,” Layla said, voice raised over the chatter of excited teens. “Stick with your travel buddy, and if you’re paying more than two euro for one of those stupid Eiffel Tower keychains, you’re overpaying. Have fun!”
“I want one of those stupid Eiffel Tower keychains,” Paige said.
Nick laughed. “I’ll buy you one in every color.”
“They come in different colors?”
He leaned down, brushing a soft kiss across her lips. “Yes. I can’t wait to show you the city.”
Layla pushed her way through the kids, Tyler right behind her. Nick had noticed an increasingly stupid look on Tyler’s face as the weeks progressed, and had a hunch that he and Layla were more into each other than they let on. Nick wondered if he had the same expression on his face when he looked at Paige.
“Okay, break it up, you two,” Layla said, grinning. “We’re going shopping.”
Paige raised an eyebrow. “Like to the mall?”
“No, we’ll go to the Forum des Halles tomorrow. I’m talking about tourist shopping. The Latin Quarter is the best place to buy souvenirs, and it’s only a few blocks away. Want to come?”
Paige glanced at Nick, and he swallowed back a rush of emotion. He loved that she looked to him before confirming her plans, like they were a couple again.
“Shopping sounds great,” Nick said. “My sister told me I’d better buy a snow globe for her, or I’d get my butt kicked.”
Paige’s blue eyes dimmed, like a shutter had pulled closed. “You have a sister?”
Nick stared at her, pain shooting through his heart. He’d never talked much about his family because it was easier to keep his cover story straight without details about them interfering. “Yeah. Just the one.”
Layla looked back and forth between them. “After four months of dating, you don’t even know that much? Geez, come up for air occasionally.” She bumped her hip against Paige’s. “Can’t say I’m surprised he’s that good a kisser.”
“He looks pretty taken to me,” Tyler said, his voice tight.
Layla laughed, linking her arm through Tyler’s. “I’m not planning on fighting Paige for him. Should we drop our stuff off in the rooms, then meet back here in five minutes?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Paige said.
The elevator actually fit all four of them at once, and soared to the fourth floor without creaking. Nick and Tyler said goodbye to the girls and let themselves into their room. Nick could hear the shrill laughter of the giggly girls in the room next to theirs. That would make sleeping tonight a treat.
“Why don’t you just tell her you like her?” Nick asked, dropping his suitcase at the foot of the bed nearest the door.
Tyler flinched, the tips of his ears glowing red. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on—I’ve got eyes.”
Tyler ducked his head, focusing intently on the zipper of his backpack. “She’s way out of my league.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think she likes you, too.”
“Layla’s nice to everyone.”
Nick clapped Tyler on the back. “Take a risk. It might just pay off.”
“You and Paige seem to have worked things out.”
“We’re trying to.”
Tyler slipped into a jacket and checked his reflection in the mirror. “She’s a really nice girl. I’m happy for you guys. I hope you can get through your issues and stay together after the summer’s over.”
“Me, too, man. Me, too.” Nick held up his phone. “I’ve got to make a quick call. Meet you in the lobby?”
“Sure,” Tyler said.
Nick grabbed his own jacket, then slipped into the hallway, dialing Don.
“Hello,” Don said cheerfully, his high voice screeching through the line.
“We made it to Paris,” Nick said. “Still no signs of anything suspicious from the outside.”
“Keep watching,” Don said. “I’m not taking any chances.”
“I’ve got to be honest, Don—I think you’re being paranoid.” Nick glanced around the hallway, then lowered his voice. “The only suspicious people I’ve seen are Evie and Ryan.”
“They’re just kids. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Maybe not, but I’m keeping an eye on them just the same. Paige and I want to talk to Evie before she goes home. We’re worried about the situation.”
“Can’t hurt,” Don said. “Stick close to them and keep me posted.”
“Will do,” Nick said, and he hung up.
Nick took a seat in the lobby, and Tyler arrived two minutes later. The girls were, of course, five minutes late. But the wait was worth it. Paige had done something to her hair, so that it hung around her shoulders in loose curls that had him aching to kiss her. She’d changed from her capris into pants, and the jeans hugged her legs and hips in a way that had his mouth going dry.
“Beautiful,” he said and kissed her.
She looked down, smiling shyly. “Thanks.”
“Stop kissing,” Layla said. “There will be plenty of time for that when you’re back in the States. Tonight, we’re shopping. Let’s go.” She grabbed Tyler’s hand and towed him toward the door, although it looked like he was following pretty willingly.
Paige shook her head, a small laugh escaping. “Layla is one of a kind.”
“Yes she is. Tyler is smitten.”
“Did he say something to you?”
Nick pulled her forward. “If we don’t keep up, Layla is going to leave us behind.”
City lights flickered from windows as they followed Layla and Tyler down the sidewalk, staying a few feet back.
“Does Tyler really like her?” Paige whispered, leaning close.
“He definitely has a crush.”
“Layla does, too. For someone who’s so open and outgoing, she’s surprisingly hard to read. You don’t have any spy mind tricks to use on her, do you?”
“Uh, no.” Nick’s heart swelled. It was the first time she’d ever referred to his profession so casually.
“Dang. I was hoping you did.”
That made him laugh.
They spent the next two hours buying souvenirs in the Latin Quarter. Paige bought a picture frame for herself and a paperweight for her dad, and Nick bought an Eiffel Tower for his sister and key chain for Paige. The evening was practically perfect. For the first time, Nick felt like there was a good chance their relationship might actually make it.
After head check, he kissed Paige goodnight and went to bed. Nick slept soundly, his hand resting lightly on the gun hidden underneath his pillow. With Devin gone, the agency didn’t hold the appeal it once had for him. Maybe—once he found those responsible for Devin’s death—he’d turn in his badge and do private security or something. For Paige, he could give up his career.
A knock on the door ripped Nick from his dreams. He grabbed the gun and jumped the three feet to the door, peering through the peephole. Paige stood on the other side, her eyes wide and panicked.
Nick shoved the gun in his boxers and threw the door open. She was still in her pajamas, mascara smudged underneath her eyes and hair wild from sleep. It had to be close to five a.m.
The pained look in her eyes terrified him.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded.
Paige collapsed against his bare chest, her shoulders shaking. “We should’ve known. Should’ve stopped them.”
Panic clutched at Nick, and he gently pushed Paige back, forcing her to look at him. “Tell me what happened.”
“Evie and Ryan are gone.”
Th
e words burned as Paige spoke them. She folded her arms against the chill that had suddenly invaded the hallway, wanting Nick to welcome her back into his embrace. His eyes were dark and unreadable, but any traces of sleepiness had disappeared.
“Gone?” he said. His bare chest gleamed under the poor hotel lighting.
Paige closed her eyes, the panic freshly washing over her. “Yes. Evie’s roommate knocked on my door about ten minutes ago. She woke up and couldn’t find Evie. I checked Ryan’s room, and he’s gone, too. No one’s seen them since about ten-thirty.” She struggled to control the shrill note entering her voice. They could’ve been gone for more than six hours. They could be anywhere. Had they even left on their own?
She shuddered, shivers wracking her body. What if they’d been kidnapped?
“Calm down,” Nick said, rubbing his hands up and down her chilled arms. “Maybe they ran out for a bite to eat or something.”
“At five o’clock in the morning? No. It’s something else. I can feel it.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Have you checked the hotel?”
“Layla’s doing that right now.”
“Okay. Give me two minutes to get dressed and wake up Tyler.”
She caught his arm, stopping him from going inside his room. “You don’t think they were kidnapped, do you?”
Nick’s back was rigid, his muscles taut, but his eyes were clear and honest. “No. But I wouldn’t put it past them to run away. They’ve been acting suspicious since the moment this trip began. Get dressed. If Layla doesn’t find them in the hotel, we’ll have to search the city.”
Paige nodded, racing back to her room. She threw on the first pair of clothes her hands touched and ran a toothbrush over her teeth.
The door creaked open, and Layla walked in, her face pale.
“Nothing,” Layla said. “This is bad. What are we going to do?”
Paige massaged her forehead, feeling the dull pinpricks of pain that signaled a headache. “Nick and I are going to search the city.”
“There are like two and a half million people here. How are you going to find two teenagers?” Layla sank onto her bed, letting out a strangled laugh.
“Nick’s resourceful.” Paige pulled out the elastic holding up her hair and quickly brushed it back into a ponytail.
Kiss Me in the Moonlight (Destined for Love: Europe) Page 9