Page 40 of Forever a Thief

Nodding, I offer her a small smile of gratitude. I know she’s right, because there is no alternative. The group coming with me is strong and smart, and I have full faith in them. Seven of us will be on the ground in Istanbul—me, Delaney, Ryder, Addie, Brighton, Knox and Hunter. Linc and Cole stayed at A-Squared to run ops from there and keep an eye on things. None of us trust Adam Voss to confine his treachery to Istanbul.

Addie called Ryland and Harper, too, so would I be surprised if his entire team of former assassins show up in Turkey? No, not one little bit. They’re a tight circle and have each other’s backs. And, well, that’s pretty damn nice. Something a one-man show like me could really use at the moment.

Halfway through the flight, I’m about to jump out of my skin. I can’t stop pacing up and down the aisle, torturing myself with what-ifs. What if Voss hurt Savannah? What if I don’t get to her in time? What if she wants nothing to do with me after this is over?

Raking my hands through my already mussed up hair, I stop when Addie holds an arm out, blocking my obsessive marching. “Sit,” she commands, nodding to the empty seat next to her. Heaving out a sigh, I drop down.

“I’m going out of my mind with worry.” I scrub a hand over my face, noticing how much stubble has grown in and itching for a razor.

“I get it. I’ve been there. But you have to lock it down and keep your head on straight.”

I know she’s right, but easier said than done. “Sorry for being a first-class asshole at times,” I murmur. “I never meant any harm. I just liked teasing you.”

“I know. And all is forgiven.” She sits back, a smile lifting her lips. “So, I hear you’re going by Rhys now?”

“Figure I’ll give it a whirl.”

“Anything else you’re going to give a whirl?”

“Yeah. Savannah Grant, if she’ll let me.”

“You two are adorable together!” Brighton declares from the seat behind us, clearly eavesdropping.

Addie chuckles. “They are,” she agrees with Brighton as I roll my eyes. “And,” she continues, fixing me with a steady gaze, “I believe I’m the one who told you to go to her after you were injured.”

“You did.”

“I think that means you owe me—twice.” Her blue eyes sparkle with mischief. “For hooking you up with, and helping you save, the love of your life.”

Love of my life. Shit. I knew I was falling for Savannah, but I think my little Addie-Baddie is right. Savannah is so much more than some passing fancy. She’s…everything.

“Once Savvy is safely back in my arms, I’m going to owe you for the rest of my life, Tootsie Pop.”

She laughs softly, and I begin to relax. Crossing my arms, I close my eyes, lulled into a sense of false relaxation by the incessant drone of the plane’s engine. But my mind still spins, working through possible scenarios and trying to figure out where we’ll be meeting Voss. And how I’m going to outsmart him and win my girl.

The moment we land in Istanbul, I’m firing on all cylinders and ready to go. Voss hasn’t texted me yet with the meeting location, so we get a rental and drive to a nearby hotel to wait it out. Everyone is hungry and we grab some food at a café next door to the hotel.

Istanbul is an amazing city of contradictions—old versus new, east meets west. A place where different cultures and religions come together. I’ve always enjoyed my time here, but right now, I just want to get this meeting over with, get my girl and leave. If I can manage to obtain the sapphire, too, then great. But I’m not risking anyone’s life to do it.

I’m coming to understand I don’t need it. I’m not that same little boy with dirt under his fingernails who snuck into the museum and got yelled at. You have nothing to prove, Rhys. Not to yourself or anyone else. I’ve come so far, done so many things twelve-year-old me never thought possible. I can still keep doing amazing things, but I realize I don’t want to do them alone anymore. I want someone by my side to share the adventure. And not just anyone—I want Savannah.

I just hope and pray she wants me, too.

We’ve just finished eating when my phone beeps with a text. Finally. Thank fuck. I open the message and read it aloud. “Meeting will take place at the Basilica Cistern. Tonight at eight pm.” I look over at Addie. “He moved it up from tomorrow at noon.”

“He must’ve figured something out,” Addie murmurs.

“That’s a strange place to choose. It’s a tourist hotspot,” Hunter states.

“I think I read it’s closed.” Delaney types away on her phone. “Yep, it’s temporarily shut down while the management transitions to the government.”

“Okay, what do we need to know about this place?” Addie asks.

“I’ve never been there.” I look around the table and it appears no one else has either. “Where is it?”

Ryder’s fingers fly over his laptop’s keyboard. “It lies beneath the city, southwest of the HagiaSophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu.”

“Under the city?” Brighton echoes. “Like a tunnel?”