Page 19 of Forever a Thief

“See you soon then. Ciao.” I hang up and recline back in my seat. If all goes according to my plan, I’ll have that book back in my hot little hands in no time.

“From what I could hear, she didn’t sound very thrilled to help you,” Savannah mutters.

I tilt my head toward her. “She’s delighted to help me. Besides, she owes me big-time, and she damn well knows it.”

“What exactly is my part in all this? In case you’ve forgotten, I’m not a thief.”

“No, you’re my ace. My unrecognizable ace.”

She frowns. “I don’t understand.”

“Adam Voss is a billionaire who likes to obtain rare and priceless artifacts. And he’ll do it by any means necessary. The man who stabbed me? He’s a rival thief on Voss’s payroll. Now Voss has my book.” I lock eyes with her. “And you’re going to get it back for me because you’re the only one Voss won’t recognize. He knows me, Addie and the others. But you, ma chérie, can walk straight into his lair, under the guise of a housekeeper or pool girl or fucking plant waterer, and he’ll have no idea.”

Her sage eyes widen, then she makes a face. “That’s a terrible idea,” she refutes, crossing her arms and inadvertently pushing up a very lovely, very tempting set of breasts.

My gaze dips, and I take a moment to admire their fullness, clearly evident as they stretch the fabric of her T-shirt. My fingers twitch, wanting to reach out and cup one perfect globe. Curling my hands into fists, I lift my attention back to her face.

“No, it’s perfect.” Her breasts, and the plan.

“What if the book is in a safe?”

“That’s why we’ll have Lincoln Decker in your ear. He’s a world-class safecracker.”

“No!” she practically squeaks. “I’ll get caught! I have the worst luck in the world, and if there’s a chance to screw it up, trust me, I will.”

“Have a little faith in yourself, chérie. I think you’ll do marvelously. Plus we’ll have Addie’s world-class crew on hand.”

“Sure. What do you care? I’m the one who’ll get caught with my hand in the safe when the alarm starts shrieking. You won’t be anywhere near when the police arrest me.”

“I won’t let that happen,” I assure her, doing my best to sound sincere. Because it’s true. I’d never let her take the fall for me. “I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.”

She drops her face into her hands and mumbles something unintelligible. It’s adorably dramatic. But I think she said something about making a deal with the devil.

“Rest assured, I want that book badly enough that I won’t let you get in trouble.”

She looks up. “Why? What’s so important about some old copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Is it a priceless edition?”

“To me it is.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Laurent.” She tilts her blonde head, eyeing me more closely. “Is that even your real name? Or an alias?”

“It’s my name.” Well, my last name, anyway. No one has called me Rhys in twenty-five years. “It’s been a busy night and day. Why don’t you rest? You can even lay your head on my shoulder, if you want.”

Her nose once again scrunches at my generous offer.

“Thanks, but I’m okay.” She leans away from me, shoulder pressing against the window instead of using my arm as a pillow, and disappointment washes over me. I was hoping to count her freckles while breathing in her bright scent. Like sunshine and lemons. She’s eyeing me with so much mistrust, I’m beginning to take it personally. “You’re quite the enigma. I’m not sure if you’re a good guy or a bad guy,” she finally declares, voice thoughtful.

“I’m a little of both,” I say, voice low and husky.

We land at a private airport and arrive at A-Squared Enterprises in a rental SUV. It’s not exactly my style, but all they had available. I suppose it’s practical and will help us keep a low profile, and I wanted to make sure we had our own mode of transportation, so a car service wasn’t ideal. I pause to longingly admire the red Aston Martin Vanquish parked nearby. Now that’s a beauty. Exactly what I like to drive when my options are unlimited. I remember Pierce Brosnan drove one exactly like it in one of the James Bond films.

Yes, I’m much more James Bond than… Hell, who drives a truck like our rental? I don’t even know. It hurts my eyes to look at it for too long.

Taking Savannah by the elbow, I guide her through the door and we’re immediately met by Addie. The women exchange hugs and start talking at once.

“I’m so sorry I dragged you into this mess with him,” Addie says, slanting me a dark look.

Savannah glances my way, lips twitching. “I guess he’s not that bad.”