Page 48 of Forever a Thief

Suddenly, the cold, calculating look on his face sends a chill through my entire body. Despite the gun Knox is holding on him, Voss steps toward a sliding door and unlocks it.

“Stop moving,” Knox growls. “Or I’ll put a bullet in your thigh.”

“Will you?” Voss challenges, slowly opening the door to the rooftop patio. “Probably not the wisest move because then I’ll drop this precious antidote. The only thing in the world that can save her.” He gives it a little shake then pretends to let it go. “Oops.”

My heart drops into my stomach, and Knox curses under his breath. Voss is toying with us, playing some sadistic game, and he knows as long as he holds that vial, he has the upper hand.

“Why don’t we do the trade out here,” he suggests, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. “It’s such a nice day. I want to see how my sapphire sparkles in the sunlight.”

He’s wasting time, dragging this out, and it’s pissing me off to no end. Forget hitting him upside the head. I’m going to shoot him in the ass for putting us through all this extra drama and stress.

Following him outside, my gaze moves over the glass-walled patio, quickly assessing the situation. There’s some expensive-looking rattan furniture, a telescope and a bar with several tall stools in the corner. A perfect unobstructed view of the city extends all the way to the sea.

“Give me the antidote,” I order. “Now.”

“Toss me the necklace,” he counters.

But I hold my ground, eyes narrowing to slits. He’s going to pay for this shit.

“Savannah or the gem? Such a tough decision,” he taunts, weighing his hands. “I can stand here all day, waiting for you. I’m in no rush.”

But I am. I can feel priceless seconds slipping away. “There is no decision,” I seethe. “I will always choose Savannah.”

“Then what’re you waiting for?” he hisses. “Give me what’s mine.”

Fuck. I don’t trust the asshole, but I need to move. Because he’s right about not being in any kind of a hurry like us. I guess if he decides to hang onto the vial after I hand over the necklace, I’ll tackle him and wrestle it out of his grip.

Against my better judgment, but knowing my options are limited, I toss the velvet bag containing The Heart of Azure. Voss catches it in one hand, and a slow, evil grin spreads across his face as he lifts the small glass vial.

“This is for crashing my party and stealing from me. No one takes what is mine.”

Then, to my absolute horror, he pulls his arm back like he’s about to pitch a baseball. As his body turns to launch the vial over the side of the glass wall, I move faster than I’ve ever moved before in my life.

I swipe my knife from its sheath and whip it toward Voss. At the same time, I launch myself forward—hoping I don’t get shot if Knox decides to fire his gun—and extend my arms as though flying through the air like Superman. Voss staggers, dropping the vial, and clutches his midsection where my knife now protrudes.

Time seems to slow down as I careen through the air, gaze locked on the falling vial of liquid. Right before it hits the ground, I miraculously manage to catch it between the tips of two fingers. Once I stop sliding forward on my belly, skinning the hell out of my elbows in the process, I huff out a relieved breath. Thank God.

Without a second glance at Voss—I know Knox will have my back there—I push up off the cement and haul ass back into the library and down to the living room where Savannah waits.

“Hurry!” Addie calls, sliding off the coffee table and giving me room.

Dropping to my knees beside the couch, I twist off the cap and slide a hand under Savannah’s neck, lifting her head. She looks frightfully pale, eyes closed and skin cold to the touch. I place the bottle’s opening between her lips and tip it back.

“Drink, Savvy,” I encourage her. Her throat moves as she swallows the liquid. Once the bottle is empty, I set it aside and cradle her head, waiting for the antidote to do its job.

Waiting to see those beautiful sage green eyes open again is the hardest, most excruciating and longest minute of my life. I need this woman—her smile, her wit, her intelligence. Most of all, her good heart. I want it all, and I want it every single day. No one has ever made me feel the way she does—like it’s okay to just be me. I don’t have to pretend or put on airs. I can simply be. And that’s worth more than all the sapphires in the world.

Finally, her eyes flutter open, a little confused and unfocused. My shoulders slump and my heart stops trying to crash through my ribcage. “It’s okay,” I murmur, brushing her hair back. “I’ve got you, chérie. You’re going to be fine.”

Dieu merci. Dieu merci. Dieu merci.

I keep thanking God as I stroke my hand over her hair. All is right in my world again.

“Rhys,” she whispers, wrapping her fingers around my wrist.

“Can I tell you something, ma chérie?” I ask, lovingly tucking a wave of gold-spun gossamer behind her ear.

“Anything,” she responds, echoing my earlier answer.