Free Someday Soon by Debbie Macomber Page A

University in the United States, but that was a battle in a long list of battles he’d lost. But no more.
    Moving away from his family was the best thing that had ever happened to Louis. He wasn’t giving his mother an excuse to drive him home just because she wanted him available for a silly Christmas party.
    One small taste of freedom and Louis discovered the elixir to be habit forming. Daddy could push all the buttons he wanted, but Louie boy wasn’t responding.
    Besides, he was in love. What red-blooded nineteen-year-old would turn down an invitation to spend two glorious weeks with a gorgeous blonde named Brigette? Not Louis.
    The nymph had planted herself in his life and in his bed, and he had no intention of allowing her out of either. He might even marry Brigette, he decided. That would make his father sit up and take notice, especially since they’d long since chosen his bride for him.
    Angelica was beautiful and the daughter of a longtime family friend, but Louis and Angelica had grown up together. Louis’s tastes were far more adventuresome these days. He couldn’t imagine Angelica doing the things in bed that Brigette had.
    Louis lay on his back and studied the ceiling tiles. A slow, satisfied smile came to his lips. Brigette was asleep at his side, her blond hair spilled over the thick feather pillow. One shapely leg was sprawled atop a thin sheet, and she breathed softly, her breath gently teasing his ear.
    All his life Louis had done what his family requested.All his life he’d accepted that they knew what was best for him. Never again. He was his own man. How much of a man was something Brigette had taken great delight in proving to him.
    Until he’d met his French mistress, his sexual experience had been limited. Brigette had taught him well, and he was a fast learner. In all the years he’d dated Angelica, the only thing she’d allowed him to do beyond a few chaste kisses was to taste her breasts. Then she’d acted as if she had done him a favor for which he should be eternally grateful.
    Content, Louis reached for Brigette’s lush breast, filling his palm with its fullness. His thumb grazed the nipple, which pearled to a hard peak. She sighed softly and nestled closer, her pale skin a marked contrast to his own honey color.
    A sound from the room below distracted him. Louis paused, wondering if the alley cat Brigette fed had somehow gotten into the house. He was about to investigate when his lover wrapped her long, slender leg around his and edged closer to his side. She nibbled his earlobe, stroking the fires of his newly awakened manhood. He was about to turn her on her backside and bury himself in her silken heat when the door flew open.
    Sound exploded through the peaceful silence.
    Louis’s heart nearly burst as two men dressed entirely in black burst into the room. Their faces were covered with camouflage paint. Twin submachine guns were aimed at him and Brigette.
    Terror froze Louis’s throat muscles as he struggled upright. Brigette grabbed a sheet and held it against her bare breasts and screamed. Her cry was silenced by apopping sound. Blood soaked through the sheet as the woman he loved toppled forward. Louis choked back a strangled cry of grief and horror.
    Before he could react, or reach out to the beautiful French woman, he was dragged naked from the bed. Fighting as best he could, he kicked and shoved. Pain exploded against the side of his jaw as he was hit with the butt of the machine gun. Blood filled his mouth, and he gagged and spat out a broken tooth. The two men worked silently, binding his hands behind his back.
    “What do you want?” he pleaded, first in French and then in English and German.
    They didn’t answer.
    “Please,” he begged as they dragged him down the stairs. Each man had hold of one elbow, and the top of his feet slapped noisily against the stairs. “My father will pay you anything you ask.”
    The taller of the two men smiled. His teeth gleamed