Before Paris

By Adria J. Cimino

See how it all began...

Before the lives of four strangers collided in Paris, there was one young man. Before Paris, a prequel to the novel Paris, Rue des Martyrs, tells the story of how Rafael, son of an emerald broker in Colombia, found his way to the City of Light. One fateful and dangerous night in emerald territory, he learns his father was carrying a secret. And the key to unlock it can only be found in Paris.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Velvet Morning Press
• Release date: Apr 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311307545

Adria J. Cimino

Adria J. Cimino honed her craft as a journalist for more than a decade at news organizations including the Associated Press and Bloomberg News before transitioning to writing novels. She lives in the 10th arrondissement of Paris with her husband Didier and their daughter Phèdre. When she isn’t writing, you can find Adria at her neighborhood café watching the world go by.

Book preview

Before Paris

a novella

A Prequel to Paris, Rue des Martyrs

ADRIA J. CIMINO

Published by Velvet Morning Press

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright © 2015 by Adria J. Cimino

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Ellen Meyer and Vicki Lesage

Author photo by Didier Quémener

This book is available in print at online retailers.

Table of Contents

Hesitation

Adrenalin

Fury

Aftermath

Departure

About the Author

Hesitation

Rafael Mendez’ eyes locked with those of his father as they sat opposite each other at the café table. A power struggle that quickly left Rafael defeated, his gaze lowered to the cup of bitter coffee in his hands. How was it that Diego still had such power over him, over everyone? At 22, Rafael was a tall, well-built man and a college graduate, yet as he faced those piercing dark eyes, he became a child again.

You are ready, Diego said in the firm no-nonsense voice that meant business.

Rafael felt heat rise into his face. How to explain to his father that, no, he wasn’t ready to take the reins in a risky, middle-of-the-night expedition to the Colombian emerald mines? How to explain that maybe it wasn’t even the idea of readiness but more the idea that he didn’t want this life as an emerald broker? How to explain that he longed to break the tradition of an obligation handed