Promises After Dark (After Dark Book 3) by Sadie Matthews Page A

I say again, firmly. I almost believe it myself.
    Once I’ve rung off, I use my phone to look up the return times from Paris. If I can’t get back, I might have to find somewhere to stay, so I also look up some hotels in central Paris. I feel a tingle of excitement. This is mad but it’s making me feel exhilarated with possibilities. I’m not going to let Dominic walk out of my life thinking that I cheated on him. He’s going to know the truth if it’s the last thing that happens between us.
    I remember that I don’t have a phone charger with me, so I turn off my mobile to save its battery and then open a magazine that I bought in the shop on my way through the departure lounge. I don’t quite know how I’m going to be able to calm down enough to absorb anything but maybe that’s okay. Within three hours I’ll be in Paris.
     
    Once we’re under way, I feel the tiredness from my late night begin to overwhelm me and I take the opportunity to sleep as we fly through the Kent countryside and onwards to France. By the time I wake up, we’re making fast progress to Paris. There’s only another half an hour to go. Once I’ve woken up and had a drink of water, I start to realise what I’ve actually done. In a short time, I’ll be arriving at the Gare du Nord – and then what? I won’t have a clue where to go.
    I think for a while and then turn my phone on. It connects to a French network and a text message pings in, telling me I’m now abroad and alerting me to the new charges. I find the phone number for Finlay Venture Capital online and call it. The receptionist puts me through to Tom Finlay.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Tom, it’s Beth here. We spoke earlier about Dominic.’
    ‘Yes, of course, I remember you. Did you catch him?’
    ‘No – I was too late. So, I know it sounds crazy but I’ve followed him to Paris.’
    He laughs. ‘Oh God, I knew I shouldn’t have helped you. You’re a nutter, aren’t you? Great, Dominic’s really going to thank me for this one.’
    ‘He will,’ I say quickly. ‘You don’t know how much. But listen, I have a problem. I don’t know where he’s going to be and I’d like to surprise him. Is there any way you can find out a little bit more for me?’
    ‘Why don’t you just call him?’
    ‘I told you – he’s not returning texts or emails.’
    ‘Yeah, but he might pick up if you actually call him.’
    ‘Maybe . . . I will try that but could you possibly help from your end? Please?’
    ‘Look, I’ll do what I can. Shall I tell him you’re looking for him?’
    ‘No, no, I want to surprise him.’
    ‘Okay – leave it with me. Are you on email?’
    ‘Yes.’ I give him my email address, and we ring off. I sit back, satisfied. If all goes well, I won’t have to waste my time wandering around Paris looking for Dominic, I’ll be able to go straight to him.
    We’re already on the outskirts of Paris when I get a message from Tom flashing up on my phone. I go to my inbox.
     
    Hi Beth
    I think Dominic must be in his meeting with this big business honcho. He wants around twenty million dollars from him, so I don’t think he’s going to be taking any calls while he’s asking for it. If it’s any help, I’ve been thinking back over what he said today and I’m pretty sure he told me he was going to be meeting this guy at his flat in St Germain and that he was going to stay in the same area, so you could try around there. I’ll let you know when I hear from Dominic.
    Take care,
    Tom
     
    Good work, Tom, I think. It’s annoying that Dominic hasn’t replied directly but at least I’ve narrowed it down to one part of Paris. I’m going to need a charger, I realise. My phone is not going to take much more Internet use without losing all its power. That will be my first task when we get to the Gare du Nord.
     
    Twenty minutes later, I’m walking along the platform with all the other arrivals as we make our way to the front of the station. I’ve been to Paris once