Page 59 of The Eagle's Vault

Oh god. He was leaning in to whisper. To make me feel better. Not to kiss me. What was I thinking?

“Sorry. I don’t know what…” My weak words trailed off. Why did my brain turn to such mush around him? I eased away, but he maintained our intimate proximity.

“I was going to say…” His warm breath hit my ear, his volume so low the duo in the front wouldn’t have heard him over their own conversation. “Scarlett’s the best at this part of the game.”

“Thank you,” I whispered back.

“No need to be scared.”

“Working on it.”

Declan squeezed my hand one last time and, as though accustomed to acting in unison, they all exited the car.

Taking a deep breath, I followed, staying close to Declan as his hand came to rest on my back, the motion soothing. Finn wouldn’t have bothered with comforting gestures. He wouldn’t have even noticed how I’d felt. Things would’ve been different if he’d been more like Declan, encouraging me instead of criticizing. Kind instead of cruel.

How was that possible when the Reynolds team barely stayed on my side of the law? How could my law-abiding ex be the tyrant and Declan be the champion?

A tall, broad Italian exited the double doors, his size rivaling Rav’s. He was familiar. Too familiar. The same man who’d trailed us the previous day. My knees wobbled, my heart pounding. In a thick accent, he said, “Follow me to Signore Ferraro’s meeting room.”

You’re strong, confident.I repeated the mantra in my mind as we walked, but my body betrayed me, fear seeping into my veins.

“Well, look who’s here. Back for more trouble?” The Italian behemoth leered at Scarlett as she joined him at the top of the stairs, a predatory grin on his face. “Always a pleasure, Scarlett.”

“Leonardo.” She patted his chest, a smirk playing on her lips. “Likewise.”

Rav moved closer to her, tension rolling off him in waves. Was there a past between Leonardo and Scarlett? And was it why Scarlett had refused to bring Malcolm, despite his protests? And what about Isaac, who’d made a scene when Rav told him—in no uncertain terms—that I was going and he wasn’t?

Inside, the grand hall rose to all three stories, adorned with luxurious details. Pillars, antique furniture, paintings, and gold leaf adorning every surface. A wall of glass offered a breathtaking view of well-tended gardens, which melted into the endless expanse of the sea a couple of hundred feet away.

“God, this place is gorgeous,” I gasped, unable to hold it in.

A sudden tug from Declan yanked me closer to his side. His eyes flashed a quick warning. I bit my lip, remembering Scarlett’s words. Just nod and be quiet.

Leonardo ushered us into the meeting room, a rectangular sanctuary where sunlight spilled in through arch-topped windows, illuminating a table of aged wood. The room was a testament to balance—nature’s raw beauty held at bay by Giovanni’s cultivated refinement. The hilltop’s native rock jutted into the room, causing an irregular wall at the back. Why hadn’t they blasted it away?

At the center of it all, a man in his mid-sixties stood, beaming with an infectious smile. His salt-and-pepper hair was carefully combed away from his face, and his eyes danced with a warm, welcoming light. A younger man, bearing a striking resemblance to him, hovered at his side. Two other men, pistols casually hanging from their belts, lingered at the back of the room.

“Giovanni,” purred Scarlett. “I appreciate you seeing us on short notice.”

The older man stepped forward, placing tender kisses on both of Scarlett’s cheeks. After she finished our introductions, Giovanni clapped his hands twice. The sharp noise made me jump.

“I wish to speak only with the thieves.” Giovanni spoke with a strange mix of severity and charm. Fear invaded the edges of my confidence. That didn’t sound likeNothing bad will happen.

Scarlett smiled softly, her control mesmerizing. “As I said on the phone, they’re my employees, and they can’t promise or offer you anything without my say so. We’re here for apologies and restitution. They can provide the first, but only I can provide the second.”

Giovanni maintained his smile, reminding me of a snake biding its time before a strike. To my surprise, he gestured toward the younger man who resembled him. “You remember Cristian, my son?”

“One of our men will take you and your bodyguard for a tour of the gardens. They are lovely this time of year.” Cristian stepped forward, gesturing to the men with the guns. “Your thieves have nothing to worry about while we speak with them. Talk only. I promise.”

A shiver ran through me, and every cell in my body demanded I run. But Declan’s big hand on my back didn’t falter.

“Giovanni,” drawled Scarlett, not reacting to Cristian. “I reached out to you, out of respect for our past dealings. To hand over the digital copies of the notebook and to answer what questions you have.” She shot a quick glance our way, eyes icy with determination. “I did not agree to abandon my team members, even if just for a few minutes.”

I inched closer to Declan, waiting for an end to the stalemate. He’d said Scarlett was good, but was she as good as an antiquities smuggler who owned a mansion on the edge of the sea?

After too many minutes of consideration, Giovanni clapped his hands again, a gleam in his eyes. “I’ve always liked you, Scarlett.”

Chapter 23

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