Chapitre 44: Chapter 44

23 years ago

Russia, Moscow

"It will not work, Jean. No matter how many times you keep repeating it," he said with a calm finality, his fingers gently grazing her bare thigh. A mischievous smile played on his lips, as if trying to coax her back into the warmth of the moment. "Now, why don't you go back to bed, my love, and we'll take off from where we left off?"

But Jean wasn't having it. Not tonight. Not after everything she had put into this argument. The playful touch, the smile—none of it could distract her from the real issue at hand. She had fought too long and too hard to let it slide now. She needed this to work. Needed it to go through with every ounce of her being. Failure wasn't an option.