From Paris With Love by Samantha Tonge Read Free Book Online

and put on a weak voice. ‘The room’s spinning and…’ I let my body go as limp as an out-of-date celery stick and closed my eyes, pretending that I’d blacked out.
    ‘Gemma? Stop messing about.’
    Slowly, very slowly I breathed, face botox-still, keeping my body motionless despite a really annoying itch on my nose.
    ‘Gemma?’
    I held my breath just for a few seconds and before I knew it, he’d put me on the floor in the recovery position and knelt down, not far away. As discreetly as possible, I slipped off my shoes which had a slight heel. Then, without giving Joe time to study me further, focused all my strength into pushing my body up and sprinting for the far wall.
    Almost there… Just a few more feet… but at the last moment an arm came around my neck and pulled me back.
    I squealed. ‘All right… You win…’ My legs paddled in the air. ‘Joe, it’s hurting, put me down…’
    Eventually he did and, taking big gulps of air, eyes wide, I turned around, trying not to look spooked.
    Joe studied me for a minute. ‘No… We both won. I’m impressed.’ His tone softened. ‘Playing dead – sometimes a good tactic. Removing shoes which might slow you down – good work. You were cornered but used initiative.’
    I rubbed my arm. Joe came forward and rolled up my shirt sleeve. Gently his strong hand ran over marks left from when he’d held me really hard.
    ‘But what if you’d been a real criminal?’ I muttered.
    Joe stood back and stared at me again. ‘Glad you’re finally taking this seriously, Gemma.’
    I nodded.
    In silence, we walked back over to our chairs. Joe passed me my water bottle and we sat down.
    He glanced sideways at me. ‘You’re shaking.’
    ‘No, I’m not,’ I said, cross at the waver in my voice. ‘But it’s nice to know you care.’
    Any warmth left his eyes. ‘I can’t afford to care in my job. It’s my responsibility to keep you in one piece, that’s all…’
    He looked away and for some reason I didn’t believe him. Why the hard act, all the time? What had happened in his past?
    There was a knock at the door and creepy John came in, after looking over his shoulder because, really, we weren’t supposed to be there.
    ‘Right. Role-play again,’ said Joe. ‘This time with John.’
    I pulled a face, unable to think of anything worse than wrestling with that smarmy bloke. Joe met my gaze again.
    ‘Look….’ He bit his lip. ‘I’d understand if you’ve changed your mind, Gemma.’ His eyes bore into me. ‘But I’d never ask a civilian to get involved like this, if I didn’t feel strongly that
something
truly suspicious – be it murder or not – was afoot. Regardless of what the powers that be say, I’m not prepared to ignore any sort of threat towards the heir to the throne. Not even if it means putting my career on the line…’ He gave me a wry smile. ‘Or putting someone – you – in a potential line of fire.’
    A wave of nausea hit the back of my throat as I remembered my fight with Joe. Me? Action-woman Agent G? I was more Angelina Jokey than Jolie.
    Pretending to be an aristocrat for a couple of weeks was one thing, but possibly coming face to face with an assassin? Missing clues that could possibly save the monarchy? No. It’d be best to quit this ridiculous mission before I let Queen and country down.

Chapter 5
    “Men who eat raw fish make the best lovers” said Auntie Jan, whose latest boyfriend regularly devoured sushi. My brothers and I didn’t like to think too deeply about the implications of that comment, but as I watched Joe tuck into seaweed-wrapped tuna, I couldn’t help wondering what he was like between the sheets.
    The secret agent and I sat opposite each other, in the bright bunker room. Okay, I admit it – after fighting him yesterday I’d lost my nerve for a moment, but I soon recovered my mojo. I gave the role-play a go with John and – *shudder* – even though his big hands ended up in all sorts of places, I