A/N:  Please ensure you read the 'Interlude' before this chapter as it moves the story forwards

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I said my thanks and goodbyes to Jim. He watched me walk into the building, holding his mobile phone up to his ear.

No doubt calling Hunter to tell him he had delivered me safely home.

Mike, the doorman opened up the large glass door as I approached. He looked me up and down, his eyebrows raised. I must have looked in a right state wearing the dress from the night before and my hair and make-up surely left a lot to be desired.

"Good morning, Mike."

He smiled warmly."Good morning, Miss Dufrene, it's a beautiful day."

"It is," I replied walking past him to press the elevator button and thankfully the door opened and I stepped inside.

Opening the door to our apartment, Pearl's squeals assaulted my eardrums before I closed the door, swiftly followed by the padding of her small feet on our wooden floors.

"Sage!" she shrieked In a high-pitched tone as she ran towards me with the look of an excited child being given a puppy. "Tell me everything," she asked hungrily.

I rolled my eyes. "Jeez, Pearl, let a girl get inside and get her shoes off before you jump her." Kicking off my heels, my poor feet were relieved to be out of them. Opening my bag, I pulled out my mobile phone. It would need charging as the battery was dead. "Hold your horses, this requires charging first," I said, brushing past her.

"Oh no, no, no you don't Sage Dufrene, don't think you can dodge me, not now. I need details—all of them. Capiche?"

"I'm not avoiding anything." I found my charger and plugged it in. "Okay," I sighed noisily. "What do you want to know?" It was pointless trying to avoid the conversation, Pearl could get a spy to spill their secrets.

"Everything." She chuckled. "From start to finish—every-fuckin-thing."

"Okay, you asked for it." I flopped down on the sofa with Pearl sitting opposite me. Taking a deep breath, I began my adventure from the beginning.

Pearl listened carefully whilst sitting with her legs crossed and her mouth slightly open. Every time she tried to interrupt, I held up my hand and gave her the look. She would crease her dark eyebrows and frown and sometimes pout, but she managed to hold her tongue until I had told her everything, including the Ruth incident.

I was now sitting patiently waiting for her words of wisdom. However, if I followed through on Pearl's advice every time she offered it–then I would have been arrested or murdered by now.

"And she knew your parents, that's what she said?"

I nodded. "Oui, and I felt all her emotions and let me tell you; some of them weren't good—not good at all, Pearl."

Pearl wrinkled her nose. "And she wouldn't tell you how she knew them?"

I nodded again. It was like she was repeating everything back to me, perhaps she was just as shocked as I was. "Oui, like I said."

She let out a long sigh. "And Hunter doesn't know?"

"No," I raised my voice in frustration. "Listen, you cannot repeat everything I just said. I need to know..." I paused, massaging my temples. "What should I do Pearl?"

Pearl sat back lifting her hair upon her head before letting it run through her fingers dropping back to her shoulders. "You know what you got to do Sage and you know what I'm going to say."

I did. Grandfather.

"You've got to tell him about Hunter. And how you feel and that you don't want to be his corporate spy any longer. Oh, and you have no intention of letting him marry you off to this idiot in America... What's his name...Vincent, Victor—whatever?"

I let out a sigh, she was right again. An honest discussion was needed and surely he would understand. Want the best for me? Oui. He loved me and I was certain he would want me to be happy.

Then why am I so afraid to tell him?

"I know, I know I need to tell him, Pearl." I shuffled back further into the sofa and pulled my legs up wrapping my arms around them.

"You do, and sooner than you think because I had to cover for you this morning. I'm sure you're gonna find a shit-ton of messages from the old man."

I pushed my legs back down "Oh, shit. What did you say?"

Pearl shrugged. "Nothing much, just said you were in bed, had a migraine. He bought it, and said to call him when you're up."

A groan escaped my mouth. I got up and walked to my mobile phone. Pearl was right, there were nine missed calls and one text to call him. Flipping through the rest the last one was from Hunter, my heart leapt from my chest and my finger hovered above the message for a few seconds before opening it.

I pressed open, my stomach practically cartwheeling.

Hunter –I know you got home safe. Still sat here thinking about you, last night was fucking perfect–you're makin me hard... again! Will picture you naked on my bed when I stroke one out. H xxx

I couldn't swallow, hell I couldn't even breathe as my thighs clenched. I re-read the message... twice, counting the small 'x' kisses before Pearl snatched it from my hand.

"Oh my god, that filthy..." she giggled. I snatched my phone back.

"Jesus Sage, he has it bad." She stepped towards me and cupped my burning cheeks. "You will never hear me say these words again, but I'm so jealous of you right now. He's gorgeous, sexy, hung like a donkey and rich...stinking rich I might add! What the fuck more could you ask for in a man?" She moved her hands and tapped the tip of my nose once with her finger. "And he's a wolf too, he's perfect, perfect for you Sage."

My face burned under her intrusive stare, but she wasn't wrong—well about him being gorgeous and sexy. His money though was of no interest to me. "How should I respond, what do I say?" I had never received a text like that before.

Pearl raised an eyebrow, looking at me with pity. "Relax and don't over-think it, Sage. Just feel and go with the first thought that comes into your head."

Again, her advice was spot on. I quickly typed out the message and hit the sent button before I could change my mind.

Closing my eyes for a second, hoping regret wasn't my first thought when I opened them. I re-read what I'd sent.

Me - Last night was perfect for me too. Hope we can do it again soon. And sorry to keep making you hard, wish I was there to help! x

Good, no feelings of regret. Okay maybe not as crude as his, but at least it was me being honest—I did want to sleep with him again.

My phone vibrated less than twenty seconds later.

Hunter–Me too, *groan*...And we will Miss Dufrene, I will stake my life on it! H xxx

There was no stopping the goosebumps that flooded both my arms running up and around my neck.

Now, that left sorting the elephant in the room—I had to ring my grandfather. The goosebumps disappeared, and the feeling of dread replaced them.

Pressing his contact number, I waited.

The phone rang three times before he answered. I heard him clear his throat before speaking. "Good morning Sage, I hope you are well my dear. Pearl informed me you had taken to your bed. Are you feeling better?" he said with his customary lack of emotion. I had grown accustomed to his tone over the years. But I didn't doubt he loved me. He had run into a burning house to save my life as a child.

I hated lying to anybody but to Grandfather, the words burned as I spoke them out loud. "Yes grandfather, I feel much better now, thank you for asking."

"Good, well I need you here tonight at six pm, there is something we need to discuss."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Oui Grandfather, there is something I would like to discuss with you if you have the time." There I had said it, I had planted the seed.

"Six sharp," he repeated and ended the call.

Holy Wolfsbane.

This was it.

A tightness spread across my chest, and my stomach dropped.

No backing out now.