Margaux nodded shakily to Ben. She looked at the two women with tears in her eyes. “I see what you see in him. You are very fortunate. Maybe one day I will be as fortunate.” She stood suddenly and strode away quickly.
Ben stood and watched her leave with a knot in his chest. He knew she had to get through the pain on her own but it was still hard to watch.
Catherine came around the table and hugged him as Gabriella hugged him from his other side.
“Let’s go see some sights,” he said quietly.
Daniel’s enthusiasm and delight in the Louvre brought Ben’s mood back from the dark place Margaux’s pain had taken it. He and the boy rushed from room to room examining the amazing works of art and historical artifacts. Daniel took pictures and made notes on his phone as he was working on a project for school and Ben helped him find the pieces he needed to document for his report.
Gabriella’s cheeks were hurting from grinning at their excitement. Miriam walked with her mother and exchanged smiles as they saw the two ‘boys’ at play.
Cat was grinning at Gabriella’s happiness. She and her daughters were attracting as much attention as the displays. The four tall blond beauties walking in a group through the museum might as well have been a moving art exhibit as tourists asked them to pause for photos frequently. Megan was starting to get annoyed by the attention so she and Lucy broke off from the group and agreed to meet up again at the main entrance in an hour.
Sophia and Rachel drew their mother out into a main hallway to review the museum’s floorplan to see where they’d been and where they had yet to go.
“It is true! There is more beauty moving through the museum than hangs on its walls!” a voice said behind Catherine.
She turned as did Sophia and Rachel to see a short, slim man in an immaculate suit. She immediately flashed to an image of her husband as this man had the same complexion and build. He had sharp but attractive features, dark eyes and a well-trimmed beard and hair.
Catherine smiled and the man stepped closer. “I am Rachid Shakir and the treasures of this establishment have paled now that I have witnessed your glory.”
Sophia and Rachel snorted and began to laugh. Catherine blushed in embarrassment. She thought the man’s declarations were a little grandiose, ok, over the top, but laughing at him was a little much… but she couldn’t keep an amused smile from her own lips.
Rachid looked at the women in surprise. He hadn’t expected this reaction at all. He was highly offended!
“That is very kind of you to say. Thank you! I hope they haven’t paled so much that you don’t enjoy the rest of your visit.” Catherine offered as she moved to lead her daughters away.
Rachid wasn’t used to being dismissed. He didn’t like it. Especially from a woman. He reached out and roughly grabbed the wrist of the woman who’d spoken then hissed with surprise as she broke his grip and pushed him back. The smile in her eyes was gone and in its place was a fierce anger.
“Don’t EVER touch me again!” she growled menacingly and all three women glared at him.
His bodyguard Omar was immediately at his side and the women stepped back.
Ben and Daniel were walking past on their way to the next room and the confrontation caught his attention. He looked over at Catherine and picked up the signal for help. His eyes went cold.
“You gentlemen need some assistance?” he asked from behind them.
Omar glanced over his shoulder and saw the scar which was standing out in stark contrast on Ben’s grim expression. An odd expression of recognition flashed over the man’s face. He spun in place and threw a punch. Ben stepped aside and connected with his own jab to the bodyguard’s temple as the man swung by. He went down in a crumpled heap. Ben looked back at the smaller man just as he prepared to slash at Ben with a small wicked looking blade. He jumped back to avoid the swing and Sophia nailed Rachid in the side of the head with her heel from her sweeping kick.
Guards rushed into the hall followed by a familiar face. Detective Chanel Babineaux had a look of savage glee on her face as she took in the two bodies lying at Kirion’s feet. She looked up into his eyes which were just now showing recognition.
“Detective Babineaux? What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Catching you breaking the law!” she growled.
“What the hell are you talking about? We were accosted by these men! Ben merely defended himself against that big goon and my daughter took down the little guy with the knife!” Catherine yelled in the face of Chanel who staggered back with a frozen look. She turned and fled as they watched in confusion.
“What the hell?” Catherine exclaimed and looked back at Ben whose eyes were wide with surprise.
One of the guards was listening to an earpiece. Apparently getting an update from the security office who reviewed the event from the recordings. They led Ben, Catherine, Sophia and Rachel to the office where they waited for the police. The bodyguard and his employer were moved to separate rooms. The police arrived quickly and immediately went to interrogate the short man and his body guard but they couldn’t be found. The police were very upset about this and much shouting ensued between them and museum security. Not long after that Ben and his group were released.
They met back up with the rest of their party and decided lunch would be a good way to unwind. They found a small restaurant Gabriella knew of and she managed to get a long table against the wall with a bench seat. Ben slid in until he was at the center of the table and Gabriella slid in on one side and Catherine slid in on his other.
“I’m so sorry Ben. That escalated so quickly!” Cat gushed.
He took her right hand and kissed the back of it. Then he saw the bruises and welts on her wrist. His eyes went cold and flat again.
Catherine and Gabriella exchanged worried looks.
“Ben, come back to us.” Gabriella whispered into his ear and he blinked and turned to face her.
“Sorry, what did you say?” he asked.
She shook her head and gave him a kiss. He smiled at her.
They ordered lunch and talked about what they’d seen in the museum. Ben and Daniel were gushing about some of the exhibits and Daniel showed off some of the pictures he took.