Page 55 of Donovan Blake: Passion

“Stay there just for fun.”

“We will, and that’s a promise,” he replied with a wink, then turned down Alexi’s street and called Brian in the van. “It’s that white house on the left. The one with the pillars.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the van rolled to a stop, Donovan pulled up behind it.

“Phoebe, stay here no matter what,” he ordered. “If for some reason you need to move the car shoot me a text.”

“Okay. And Donovan—please be careful.”

“I always am.”

Stepping into the road, he waited as she climbed into the driver’s seat, then marched up to the front door.

* * *

Alexi was watching the street from an upstairs window. He still hadn’t heard from Giles Cavendish so he assumed the man had no interest in the antique frame. Seeing the van and Mercedes stop outside the house he immediately alerted Ari, then trotted down the stairs and strode into the greeting room.

His heart started to race.

It always did at such times.

To the victor go the spoils.

He’d loved the adage the moment he’d heard it, and it echoed through his head at the conclusion of every deal.

“Alexi,” Donovan exclaimed, walking through the door with Ari behind him. “My movers are bringing in the canister. It’s heavy and awkward.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll stay while you examine the portrait, and they’ll load the frame into the van.”

“So you’ll be my hostage,” Alexi said with a chuckle.

“Apparently, and here they are,” he declared as Brian and Chris placed the thick cardboard tube on the floor. “The end unscrews, but be careful when you pull it out. Remember it’s very old and worth a great deal of money.”

“Wait!” Alexi said sharply. “Will it be difficult to roll back up?”

“I’m not sure. It wasn’t me who put it in there. It was done by a former curator of a museum. Lord Hawthorne called him in.”

“Can I see the painting without taking it all the way out?”

“I believe you could if you have a flashlight. Sorry, that’s called a torch here in England.”

“Ari!”

“Right away, Mr. Koslov.”

“Hey, boys, you can load the frame,” Donovan declared, turning to face them.

“Right away, Mr. Blake.”

As they lifted the frame and started to carry it from the room, Ari returned and handed Alexi the torch.

“I can probably pull it out a bit” Donovan suggested. “That will help you see it properly.”

“Ari, help Donovan, but be cautious.”

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