“I know, right? Why the hell does someone want this so badly?”
Enzo met Kathleen’s gaze. “That is the million-dollar question. And what the hell are we going to do with it now?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Fuck. This job was turning to shit just like his brother predicted. And his pissed-off, told-you-so brother scared him more than the thought of spending time in prison. He hit the landing on the second floor and then entered the hallway. He hurried to the elevator and pressed the button.
“Are the cameras still in a loop?” he asked into his earpiece. Everything else had gone wrong, so he thought he should check.
“Yes,” his brother growled. Older by three minutes, he was the biggest pain in the ass, but no more so than when he was right. “Did you get it?”
“No. It wasn’t there.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t there? Where the hell else could it be?” his brother demanded.
The elevator arrived, and he stepped inside, pulling off his hat and taking off his hoodie and draping it over his arm. With his collared shirt and a pair of dark jeans, he looked like just another tourist going out for a meal.
“It wasn’t like I had time to search the whole room. She came back early.”
“Sorry about that,” his sister chimed in. “There was no opportunity to stop her from leaving without tipping our hand.”
“Not your fault,” he murmured as he exited the elevator. He forced his gait into a casual stroll as he walked through the lobby. Other things were her fault. This whole job was her fault, but he would cover for her like he always did. Sighing, he nodded to the doorman as he left the hotel.
“What do we do?” his sister asked. “It’s not like we’re going to get another chance at it now.”
“Let’s regroup back at the Airbnb. It might be a bit of a waiting game. We have to see what they do. She may get spooked and run for home.”
“Maybe,” his sister said. “But maybe not. I’m sending you both a picture. Some guy joined her and had the hotel staff hopping. He might factor into her decision.”
His phone dinged with the arriving text. He glanced down at the screen and frowned. The guy didn’t look familiar to him. “Maybe he’s just a friend of hers or something.”
“Got it. Opening it now.” There was a pause. “Son of a bitch,” his brother growled. “He’s definitely going to be a problem. This whole thing has just turned into a clusterfuck.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Let’s eat dinner,” Enzo said as he re-wrapped the statue in the towel and put it back under the vanity. It was as good a place as any. He didn’t bother suggesting the in-room safe because he was damn sure it had been searched, and if it wasn’t, the thief would rectify that if they came back.When they came back.He glanced at Kathleen as they walked back to the dining area. No need to share that thought just yet.
Kathleen took her seat once more and sipped her wine. The tremor in her hand was still there, which didn’t make Enzo happy, but there wasn’t much he could do about it at the moment. Enzo took Kathleen’s side plate, added olive oil, and then a bit of salt and pepper.
“I’m not hungry,” she said.
He studied her. Her face was pale, though the wine added a faint flush to her cheeks. Underneath it, though, she looked drained. “I think you need to eat something, Kathleen. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but now would be a good time to eat.”
He added a piece of bread to the side of the plate and set it before her.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” she asked.
“No. I’m going to go talk to the head of security again. There is footage from the hallway, and I want to take a look.”
“I’ll come with you.” She started to stand, but he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I think it’s better if you just stay here. Eat something and try to relax.”
She glanced around the room, her expression painted with worry. The suite was big, and he could immediately tell she was thinking about being left alone here.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m going to have them post a security guard outside your door.”
“Well, that’s just ridiculous,” Kathleen said, snapping the napkin off her lap and dropping it onto the table.
