Page 39 of Forever a Thief

Pressing my lips together so I don’t laugh, I continue gazing out at the sky. The man may have a ton of money, but I’m beginning to question his intelligence. Despite all the books I saw in his massive library, I’m beginning to wonder if he’s ever bothered to read a single one.

He clears his throat. “Maybe I misjudged you. Perhaps you’re turning out to be more useful than I first realized.”

Ya think, asswipe? Instead of saying what I really think, I turn back to him and feign surprise. Playing right into his enormous ego. “Who? Me?”

“If you’re that familiar with the story—”

“I am.” Firm and confident, playing a part I’m not entirely sure I feel.

“Then maybe my plans just changed.”

“How so?” I ask, unable to hide the suspicion from my voice.

“Once I get the book back from Laurent, I’ll kill him instead of you. And then you can find the rest of the clues in the story that will lead me to the sapphire.”

Oh, no. My stomach sinks, and I bump around in my seat as we hit a pocket of turbulence, feeling absolutely ill. What did I just do?

Chapter Fifteen: Laurent

On the flight to Istanbul, something inside me shifts. My normal devil-may-care attitude vanishes and I've transformed into full-blown protector mode, determined to rescue Savannah from that prick Adam Voss. The only person I’ve ever felt the need to guard or shield before was my mother. There was nothing I could do to save ma mère, but I dragged Savvy into this, and I’m going to get her out.

I’ve never worked with a partner or depended on anyone, but I can’t deny I’m beyond grateful Addie and her team have agreed to help me. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years, as rivals in our industry do, but I’d like to put all that behind us. Apologize for whenever I intentionally chose to be a pain in the ass. Start over. Or end things on a positive note.

Because after we save Savvy and find the sapphire, I’m officially done. Laurent is retiring, and Rhys is going to follow Savannah back to Coronado. I’m not sure what my plan is yet exactly, but if I have to get down on my knees and beg to win her back, I will.

I’m gazing out the window, lost in my thoughts, when Bella—I mean, Delaney—sits down next to me. I probably owe her an apology, too. You know, for that whole incident in Austria.

“Thinking about the sapphire?” she asks.

I shake my head, turning toward her. “Non. I’m actually thinking I should tell you I’m sorry.”

Her blue-green eyes widen a fraction. “Oh?”

She used to be a master of disguise, always wearing a different wig and colored contacts. But now she looks completely comfortable as herself, no longer hiding her true identity. Something I really need to work on.

“I’m sorry I stole the Phantom Orchid from you and Ryder.” I glance over to see him hovering nearby, paying close attention to our conversation.

She arches a brow. “And?”

“And I’m sorry I locked you in that secret room.”

“And?” she presses.

“And I’m sorry I couldn’t catch you when you fell. I did try,” I add quickly.

“You’re forgiven.” She’s studying me far too closely. “You care about her, don’t you?”

“More than I wanted to admit,” I say in a low voice. “Savannah caught me by surprise. And now…”

“Now what?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Now I’d like nothing more than to be the man she deserves.” I frown. “How did you shed the person everyone thought you were and go back to the person you used to be?”

“It wasn’t easy, especially at first. I’d been Bella Diamond for so long, I didn’t think it was possible to go back to being Delaney Marquette. But Ryder helped me. They all did.” She motions to Addie and her crew. “They accepted me for who I am, not who I thought I had to be. We’d do the same for you, Laurent. If you want.”

“Rhys,” I say, voice low. “It’s Rhys Laurent.”

“Good to know.” She pats my arm. “Don’t worry, we’re going to get Savannah back from Voss.”