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Someone had been scoping out his shop again but whoever it was this time had been much smarter about it. It couldn’t have been a knight, at least he hoped it wasn’t because this wasn’t something he needed to be dealing with. Even though Alexandre had assured him that they’d sorted out his apartment lease issue, he was still hesitant about some things.

So today he’d pulled his little blonde along to the shop, earlier than normal as the sun still hadn’t completely risen when he unlocked the door and ushered them inside. There were still a few hours until he would have to open the shop and he had more than a few ideas of how to kill the time with them.

“We can order breakfast here soon but let’s lay down a bit maybe?” He was glad that he had that back room with a bed still, even if he didn’t sleep there as much. Maybe they’d get a sneak peek at who was snooping this way or he might find that he was just being a bit paranoid still after the past few meetings with members of order.

Running a hand down their back he sighed a bit before shaking his head. “Maybe just a bit paranoid after the knights.” Even if the second one hadn’t been around his shop he was getting a bit worried about things. It felt better with them here just in case since he knew he wasn’t the best if something came up and a fight broke out.

Pulling Alexandre to the back he hung his coat on the stool behind the counter. “It might be nothing but I just don’t know and thought if they tried something before the shop opened it would be better if you were around. Maybe it might scare them off if someone was here.” Pulling them down to lay down he stretched out and sighed.

“I hope it’s nothing, I really do. But it’s better with you here petit ange.”

“You were young when you started, I’m more surprised Lorcan didn’t figure it out sooner. But that might be because he didn’t live with you.” Curling a strand of their hair around his finger, he twirled it as he thought about things.

“It could be nothing but it’s very reassuring that you’ll keep whoever it might be from bothering me. It might even be a stray to be honest, something nudging rocks and loose papers down the steps to my shop’s door.” He’d been trying to make excuses, trying to not linger on the idea someone might be poking around his shop.

“Maybe not kill unless it’s a knight but…. At least you can help me figure out who or what they might be.”

“Only if they’re some sort of knight or something. If they’re on our side… well you apparently took offense to what that b***h did to me, not that I was really awake or aware for that.” He’d seen them once in passing and it had made his chest ache from where they’d had their hand in it even after it had been months.

Holding them a bit tighter as they leaned their head into his chest, it really did help him slide back into that easy going way he normally handled things. It had been hard lately, preventing him from going about his normally less stressful life, but they always helped give him a bit of peace even if they were currently talking about murdering someone. Even if they said it, he still thought it was nice, that they would make sure he could continue as he wanted and they would make sure nothing happened to him. It was nice for a change, someone caring and doing things for him and not because of his name or money.

“If they are a civilian you could just drain them and drop them somewhere, but don’t kill them.” He felt conflicted on that, much as he did with starseeding. Trailing his other hand over their back for a moment, he then pulled one of the blankets over them both.

“We could do halloween decorations, maybe a little spooky witch out front to bother Lorcan when he visits.” Lowering his voice a bit as they yawned, he didn’t want to keep them up if they wanted to rest. “I look forward to any of those things mon ange, I like your family. Also, your mother always tells me the juciest gossip about the goings on in the city. I set an alarm though for an hour before I open so we can rest a bit more okay?” Not that he was fully sure he could rest still but it was feeling less stressful with them here.

Knowing and seeing were two different things but both pissed Luciana off. She would recognize that Chevell anywhere and it was so hard not to just go up to it and cut the break line. There was someone with that b*****d, another woman? That was worse than him just running away like a coward. She’d almost gotten him back then too, but she’d been angry then, rightful so but he’d gotten away in the end.

Stepping down the back alley she peered into the window which would be at the back of the shop. It was half blocked but she could sweat she’d heard voices. Nobody was supposed to be there yet, the shop didn’t open until later. Frustrating was what it was, now she couldn’t snoop around the shop without them knowing.

Deciding to wait in her car for now, she kept watch on the shop between reviewing things for her own business venture. It had been a pain to come here to drag them back but at least she could expand her family’s watchmaking business in a city like this.

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René had heard something at the window above him and stilled, holding on just a bit tighter to Alexandre until the shadow moved away. He’d blocked that window so the other wouldn’t have to worry about having an audience during things. After a few minutes, when he was sure whoever had been trying to snoop had left, he exhaled and tried to settle in since Alexandre was already asleep.

It wasn’t the best sleep, not especially after having proof that someone was spying on his shop, but as his alarm went off and he started to stir, he wondered if the day would go smoothly. There weren’t any appointments but he had paperwork to do for the next pick up order.

Nudging Alex gently, he pressed a kiss to the top of their head. “Time to get up, I think we had a visitor…” Now that the sun was starting to rise, he could see where some of the dust from the window seemed to have been disturbed. It was as if someone had wiped at it to try to peer in and his eyes focused on that small almost unnoticeable detail.

Precious, absolutely cute, and he was trying so hard not to laugh out how messed up their hair was. “Yes already, though I doubt we can get a shower in here. I technically don’t think they’d approve of the bed if the landlord for the space knew about it. Is supposed to be only a shop space not a living space.” And he’d been neglecting that for awhile to be honest.

Getting up he ran his hands through his hair to half tame it before stepping into the bathroom to shave quickly and wash his face. Calling back to them over his shoulder, “Maybe they might show up in the shop but hopefully in the normal way.” He doubted it but he’d rather just figure it out one way or another.

“Can you go turn the lights on and flip the sign for me while I shave? Then if you want to wash up a bit you can while I sit up front.”

“I’m sure you could find a way for them to not look into it but I like this shop and it’s worked out well so far. Maybe in the beginning I was worried about the location since it’s below street level but it's nice in here.” Finishing up with his shaving and taking a comb through his hair a bit, René felt everything looked okay to get things open.

Stepping out front as they flipped the sign for him and got the door unlocked, he started wandering the shop to make sure everything looked decent. There was always at least a bit of dust but it was a war that he always ended up losing, it was just part of this business and something people understood as well.

“You can clean up and change, you still have some clothes in the small closet back there. You might have to move a few of mine to get to them though. If you need anything let me know okay?” He could order anything as well as breakfast while he was at it.

The sign had flipped and she could hear the sound of the door unlocking, it sounded old maybe one that needed a bit of maintenance here soon. Stepping down the stairs in her heels, she still manage to remain quiet as she looked over the sign with disdain. “Gastinne’s goods…. There’s nothing good about him.” Shaking her head she opened the door and entered, taking her sunglasses off and looking around the small space.

It looked bigger than she thought it might be from the outside but below level stores were like that weren’t they? Icy eyes scanned the furniture, all things she recognized from the other’s home back in Versailles, things that were supposed to be hers if they hadn’t run.

Finally, she spotted the man as he straightened a painting, and she looked him over. “So this is where you ran to, all the way to America?” Her voice was cold, dripping with hate for the idiot who had left her at the altar.

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René had heard the door open but was used to customers coming in and looking around so he continued with what he was working on for a moment before hearing them speak. He froze, hands still on the painting he had been adjusting. “Oh… merde…” This was bad and he knew it was even worse because he had his back turned to her. For all he knew she was ready to shoot him again.

Turning very slowly, he faced her and could feel the icy hatred coming off of her. Oh this was… bad, he would almost rather deal with Beatrix again over this. “I guess you found me.” Gulping slightly as he looked at them. Holding his hands up in a half apology he really hoped Alex would finish up quickly and get out here, his eyes kept drifting towards the counter and the backroom. She didn’t look like she was going to shoot him but if looks could kill he’d already be dead on the floor.