It was the stillest hour of the morning, just before dawn, when darkness still clung to the corners of the room. A sudden trill cut through the quiet, pulling Augustine from sleep.
He opened his eyes into a narrow slit, groggy but alert, and reached for his phone on the nightstand.
Gustave.
"Hello?" he answered, voice gravelly with sleep.
"Everything is in motion," came Gustave's crisp voice. "Our men are keeping eyes on them, watching, waiting."
"Good. Keep me posted."
"Will do."
The call ended with a soft beep.
Anne shifted beside him.
"Who was that?" she murmured sleepily, her arm snaking around his waist as she inched closer, her cheek resting on his chest.
"Gustave," he replied with a low hum, wrapping an arm around her, drawing her close.
Her body molded against his, warm and relaxed. "It's still dark out… why is he calling you so early?" Her voice was muffled against his skin. "Can't he handle things without you?"
