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.Still, the niggling thought of disappointing her lingered.“So you’re going to call Philippe, tell him you’re interested in seeing him again, maybe learning how a large charity works.What then?”“I’ll ask if I can work with him.With my family connections and the fact that we have a bit of a past together, he already trusts me.”Jared hated to admit it, but this might well be their best chance.If they sent in someone else, it could take months, if not more, to establish the kind of relationship Mia already had with the man.“Won’t you need to put together some kind of a cover? If the man hasn’t seen you in years, he’s going to want to know what you’ve been up to.Might even do his own snooping.”She shook her head.“Not a problem.Part of my protection includes a tight cover.If Philippe does his own snooping or hires someone, all they’ll find is that Mia Maxwell works for the State Department as a hostess and occasional French and Italian translator.If asked, a dozen people or more will verify that they’ve worked with me and will vouch for my competence and professionalism.”Jared nodded approvingly.“Impressive.”She grinned.“Thanks.So far, it’s worked out well.My parents aren’t embarrassed, and I get to live my life on my own terms.”If ever there was a loaded sentence, she’d just uttered it.As much as Jared wanted to ask why the hell her parents would be embarrassed by a lifestyle that included saving lives, he wouldn’t.She had been considerate enough to back off from questioning him.He could do no less for her.Jared shot a glance at the clock.Almost eleven.He’d been awake for over forty hours.He needed to go home, but he didn’t want to leave.At that admission, he shot to his feet.They hadn’t talked about what had happened between them or if it would happen again.But one thing he knew for sure: it wasn’t a permanent thing.“I’d better get home and let you get some rest.”She stood and went to him.Her smile one of invitation and promise, she whispered, “It’s late.Stay.”Jared pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers.Damned if he could argue with such logic.thirteenRicard Foundation headquartersJosette squealed with delight as she peeked at the contents of the envelope.Her supervisor had assured her that she would be rewarded for her discovery.Since the culprit had still not been found, she couldn’t share the information with anyone.She’d been told that Monsieur Ricard wanted to make sure she knew how grateful he was, and his gift of appreciation would be in her mailbox when she came in to work tonight.A two-day all-expenses-paid getaway at an exclusive spa just outside Paris.Two whole days of not having to share a bathroom with six other people.She could eat when she wanted and sleep all day if she liked.She bit her lip as she looked at the card again.The words were actually “you and one guest.” She and André had been seeing each other for over a year.Since neither of them had a lot of money or spare time, their dates were usually a meal with his or her family and the cinema once a week.But this? Two entire days.Could she issue the invitation? Dare she?Recently, André had mentioned marriage.Was this the impetus he needed to finally ask? How romantic it would be to spend two days alone with him, making love.And then, maybe right before they left, he would take her into his arms and propose.Determined to make her fantasy a reality, Josette picked up the phone.She was twenty-seven years old.André was a year older.She loved him; he loved her.It was time to start a new chapter in their lives.What better way to start it than with this romantic trip for two?Philippe leaned back in the sumptuous leather seat of the limo and stared hard at Garwood Kinsey.As an employee of the Ricard Foundation, he was adequate at best.As an employee of Philippe Ricard, he was exemplary.Or at least he had been, until this fiasco.“And you’re very sure that Josette, André, and Paul Raymond are the only ones who know of this?”“Absolutely sure.”“You have ensured that they’ll never tell anyone again?”“After this weekend, not a living soul will know.”“I’m not happy about this.”“I know that, sir.I’m sorry [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]