“911, what is your emergency?” the operator asked.
“Hiya, hun, I don’t mean to be a bother, but this damn truck is making so much noise,” Sable said, channeling her own sweet grandmother.
“What truck, ma’am?” the operator asked.
“The truck outside my apartment building,” Sable answered. “It’s just rumbling away, and it’s a no-parking zone, too. Can’t people read the signs?”
“Where do you live, ma’am?”
“Skyline Towers,” Sable said, knowing the name would instantly alarm the police while being vague enough to keep them from figuring out no one who lived there had dialed 911. Skyline Towers was a massive and wildly expensive apartment complex, but that wasn’t why the cops would be concerned. Sable chose that building because it was across the street from the La Merveille De L’art, and a loitering truck in a no-parking zone would warrant police presence and a call to Cash.
“Cash, I hate to bother you so late, but we just received a call from the police,” the security guard said the second he answered his ringing cell. He was helping Clover get ready for bed, but the moment he saw the number, he’d abandoned his son to brush his teeth alone and shut himself in his bedroom. “There’s a truck loitering in a no-parking zone in front of Skyline Towers. Some old lady called it in to complain about the noise.”
“Skyline?” Cash repeated. “Where exactly? Did they say?”
“No, just that it was outside the complex. The police notified us, and they’re sending a squad car, but I wanted to let you know. It might be nothing, or…”
“It’s another attempt.” Cash rushed to his closet to grab his gun out of the safe. “Get everyone to watch the basement and lower levels. I asked about the truck’s location because I’m pretty sure there’s a storm drain entrance on the street somewhere by the Towers. I think someone’s trying to steal the egg from below this time.”
Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Sable flung herself into Cash’s arms and hugged him tight. “I rushed here as soon as I saw the news. The reporters are calling you a hero.”
“A hero?” Cash chuckled as he buried his nose in her hair, hugging her waist as fiercely as she clung to his neck. “Sounds romantic and blown way out of proportion.”
“They said you stopped another robbery attempt,” she said as he lowered her to the floor. “I was standing in my kitchen with a cup of coffee, then suddenly you were on the news. I’m so glad you didn’t get hurt, but I have to admit you looked incredibly sexy on my TV screen.”
“I’m flattered by your concern, but I was never in any danger.” Cash captured her hand and led her through the corridors to a less crowded section. The museum was business as usual, patrons milling about on their quest to see the world’s greatest treasures, and if Sable had seen the morning news—or called 911 on the thieves herself—she would’ve never known another attempt had been made on the egg.
“What do you mean?” she asked. “The news said you apprehended four thieves. That sounds dangerous to me.”
“I forgot how nice it is to have someone worry about me.” Cash pulled her around the corner, and after checking to make sure no one was watching, he planted a quick kiss on her lips. “But the news is making it seem more dramatic than it was. I barely did anything. Those thieves were never getting into the building.”
“The reporter said they broke in through the sewers.” Sable sank against his chest as he leaned against the wall. She couldn’t help but find the modest hero sexy despite the problem he presented to her mission. She secretly found herself cheering for him when she’d learned he thwarted last night’s attempt, and not because he’d taken out her competition, but because she was proud of his success.
“Liars,” Cash chuckled, and Sable loved how his ribs rumbled against her chest. “I guess they need to make the segment entertaining for ratings, but there was no break-in. The thieves tried to come through the sewer access, but there’s more to the museum’s defenses than cameras, heat and motion sensors, and guards. There’s a reason the Merveille De L’art hires the Fae to protect its artifacts. There isn’t a single section of the building or the surrounding streets that isn’t protected by Fae security measures. Those thieves were screwed before I even got here last night. I made a lot of changes to the systems after I was hired.The guards are mostly for show unless there’s an emergency since the museum is impenetrable.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Sable said, his words confirming her suspicions. Fae magic and technology guarded the egg, and even as an Easter bunny, her chances of bypassing the supernatural security were ungodly low. “I still think you’re the hero, though.”
“Well, in that case, I single-handedly subdued the thieves with my bare hands.” He grabbed her hips, yanking her closer for emphasis, and Sable burst into laughter. “We fought all night, and just when all hope was lost, I triumphed and took all four heavily armed men down with only my exhausted fists.”
Sable laughed harder as he flexed his considerable pectoral muscles, and she slid her palms up his chest, enjoying the sensation even if it was a joke.
“I literally saved the day, so I think that deserves a date,” Cash teased. “How about tacos and margaritas tonight?”
“Am I even worthy of being in such a hero’s presence?” Sable waggled her eyebrows as she feigned being star-struck.
“Oh absolutely. In fact, I would go so far as to say you’re the prize for my heroics. Saving the day is the only thing that’s made me worthy of getting a second date with you.”
“Well then, tacos it is.” She planted a kiss on his cheek, almost forgetting who she was as she cheered on his exaggerated success. “How can I deny our city’s savior?”
“Oh my god, how do you drink that?” Cash laughed as he choked. “It’s so spicy.”
“Because it’s delicious! And give that back before your coughing spills it all on me.” Sable snatched the jalapeño margarita away from her incredibly handsome date. Cash hadfound a sitter for Clover, and they’d been overeating tacos ever since. They’d started with classic margaritas, and she’d opted for the spicy flavor next. She loved them, but it seemed Cash wasn’t a fan.
“I like spice in my food, but not my drink,” he chuckled. “You can keep this. I need a palate cleanser after that.”
“Here, this should help.” Sable stood up and leaned across the table to capture his jaw in her grip. She pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him despite their audience, the kiss spicier than her jalapeño tequila and tacos combined.
“That…” Cash stared at her with a dazed expression when she finally released him and sat back down. “Yeah, that worked… I think. Actually, can you do it again?”
