Page 116 of Under Her Protection

Vivienne nodded.

"Are you hurt."

"No."

"Are you sure."

"Yes."

"Vivienne."

She nodded again.

"I am going to get you out of here.”

"Yes."

"Put your hands on me."

"Leo."

"Put your hands on me, Vivienne. Out of the pockets. On me. I am going to walk you down the stair and I would like a hand on me. You’ll feel safer.”

Vivienne, on the small grey armchair, took her right hand out of the pocket of the camel coat. It came out shaking. It was cold as Leo took it in her left hand and Vivienne's hand closed around hers and held, and Leo did not say anything.

Behind Vivienne, Lara Kossek in a silk blouse the colour of champagne sat with her hands on her own knees and watched Leo suspiciously.

She had dark blonde hair and a hard look in her blue eyes. Leo met her gaze once before turning away.

Chevalier was reading her her rights.

Leo kept Vivienne's hand.

"Up."

"Yes."

"Slow."

"Yes."

Vivienne stood. She stood in the camel coat in the black wool dress in the black leather flats and she looked as beautiful and put together as Leo had ever seen her.

They went past Chevalier.

They went down the staircase that smelt of paint not quite dry, three flights, slow, Vivienne's hand inside Leo's, Leo's other hand at Vivienne's lower back and Vivienne said nothing to correct her.

They went out the staff door of the wine bar.

The pavement was full. The pavement did not, Leo registered, look up. The Blackthorn second car was at the kerb with the door open and Avery in the back with her laptop closed on her lap.

Leo put Vivienne in the back seat.

She put Vivienne next to Avery. She closed the door. She went round to the front and got in beside the driver.

"Rue de Chaillot."

"Copy."