Fire Maidens: Paris by Anna Lowe

Author:Anna Lowe [Lowe, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Billionaire romance, Military romance, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Suspense, Paranormal Romance, Werewolf and Shapeshifter
Publisher: Twin Moon Press
Published: 2019-09-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

No woman in her right mind would run toward a straggly group of homeless men in the shadow of the bridge, but that’s what Natalie did. Tristan ran after her on high alert.

“Natalie!” one of the men called in delight.

Before Tristan could intervene, the two had clasped arms and air-kissed each other’s cheeks while chatting excitedly in French.

“Natalie, it’s been too long. You haven’t been avoiding us, have you?”

By then, Marcel was rushing up as well, but Tristan stuck out an arm when he realized what was going on.

“Solidarité du Coeur,” he whispered.

“Solidarité du what?” Marcel demanded.

Tristan grinned as more men came out from the shadows. Many were regulars at the soup kitchen where Natalie volunteered, and clearly, her presence had been missed. They fussed over her like so many old friends and chattered away a mile a minute. And as for Natalie…

She smiled warmly and spoke in rapid French, looking happier than he’d ever seen her.

“You know these people?” Marcel interjected, aghast.

Natalie nodded and made introductions. “Philippe, Yan, Abdel…”

Tristan gave each a respectful nod, earning the same in return. Marcel, on the other hand, got looks of disdain. And no wonder, given the way he stuck up his nose.

“Really, Natalie. Let’s move on.”

But Natalie ignored him, stepping over to view the tents and makeshift shelters the men were eager to show her.

“Natalie,” Marcel protested.

Tristan was about to shove him back, but Natalie turned and barked, “Give me a minute, all right?”

Marcel looked absolutely shocked, but Tristan nearly gave her a fist pump. Natalie might be kind, sweet, and polite, but clearly, she had her limits. What was it she’d said?

My father calls it my premature midlife crisis. But you know what? I love it. I love doing things on my own terms.

He grinned. Inside that sweet exterior was a woman learning to spread her wings.

Just like a dragon. His inner beast grinned.

But as Natalie followed Philippe on a tour of the little colony, his heart sank again, because she could never be his.

Perfect Fire Maiden, too, his dragon murmured a little mournfully.

It was true. She was a goddamn Princess Diana in the way she connected to this community in need. She asked questions and looked everyone in the eye, managing to look sorrowful and delighted at the same time.

“The gendarmes make us move every few days, but tonight, it’s home,” Philippe said, gesturing over the cardboard shelters set into niches under the bridge.

Tristan studied the little colony. How cold did it get under that bridge at night? How wet? How alone did the men feel? But it wasn’t just somber thoughts that occupied his mind. There was admiration too. The men came from all walks of life and races, yet they’d found a way to get along. They scraped by on almost nothing, yet they maintained their pride. And they were all on their best behavior around Natalie.

“Bunch of tramps,” Marcel sniffed, looking at his Rolex.

Tristan nearly punched him. Did Marcel have any idea how close to the

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