Page 68 of The Eagle's Vault

“You know…” Jayce pulled the lollipop from her mouth and pointed it at me. “Maybe we should see what Leigh packed. Remember what she did with Edoardo’s safe? She said something to me about tar and ball bearings.”

I sighed. “Considering recent events, I don’t think borrowing anything from Leigh would be the best idea.”

“You might be right. She seemed more broody than usual when you guys got back from Giovanni’s.” Jayce’s eyes flicked between Rav and me, suspicion seeping into her gaze. “Wait a second… are you the reason for her mood, Dec?”

Heat was not rising in my cheeks. I did not turn back to Leigh’s books. Nor did I contemplate giving them to Jayce to return to their rightful owner.

But as my fingers brushed against the books’ covers, a stubborn thought implanted itself in my mind. I didn’t want to avoid Leigh; I wanted to see her again, wanted to mend the hole which had formed between us. Tomorrow, after I gathered more information about the vault in the catacombs, I’d ask for her opinion. Leigh, with her insatiable curiosity about history and art, would undoubtedly have insightful thoughts on the matter. That would fix things.

Rav’s chuckle interrupted my train of thought. He slapped my shoulder, a knowing grin on his face. “Yes, Dec, you are the reason for her mood.” He turned to Jayce. “We should get going. You need to nap before the job.”

Jayce, on her way out of the room, threw over her shoulder, “You know, Leigh has a blowtorch. Maybe we could bring her and the blowtorch along?”

“I think she’s more likely to use it on me than on the vault.” The reminder of Leigh wielding a blowtorch in my direction at Edoardo’s made me wince. “Plus, we’re going in for reconnaissance, not a demolition job. Remember that.”

Jayce winked at me, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. “Of course we are.”

Her tone made it clear her interpretation of reconnaissance was vastly different from mine.

Chapter 26

Leigh

Ileanedagainstthewall outside the room I shared with Jayce. I stared at the scarred wooden floor of the hallway, and took a slow, steadying breath.

“Talk to him,” I whispered to myself.

His room was only a few doors away, but my feet remained glued to the floor. I clenched my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms. His lips on mine. My fists released. His hand trailing down my ass. His moans. The desire he hadn’t tried to hide.

Then the sting of his words.

He’d kissed me. God, the sexy safe cracker had kissed the hell out of me, and I yelled at him then ran away. My stomach twisted at the memory of Declan’s face when I stormed off.

His words had hurt, not the kiss. The idea that he thought I was some delicate, defenseless damsel needing his protection boiled my blood. Sure, Declan was the Reynolds ace safe cracker, but I wasn’t just an engineer; I was an artist. I understood safe construction as well as he did. My place was with that team when Declan and Jayce went to the vault. Scarlett said I was part of the team. I belonged in the depths of Rome with them.

“Dammit,” I muttered, pushing myself away from the wall. It was time to set things straight. He needed to see me—really see me—and understand I wouldn’t stand on the sidelines. Not while he got to inspect a vault created by Leonardo da Vinci which no one had ever opened.

I took another deep breath, ordered the butterflies in my stomach to calm down, and headed for Declan’s door.

My books were a perfectly good excuse to visit him. Innocent enough. Maybe I’d apologize for losing my temper. Maybe I’d look down at my shoes and whisper it out like the good little girl who did what everyone wanted.

Screw that.

Maybe I’d tell him what he could do with his stupid words.

Or maybe he’d sweep me into his arms again. We’d pick up where we’d left off. I’d push him onto the bed and tell him to fuck me. I’d have my Roman fling and be done with it. He was obviously interested, and it wasn’t as if Isaac would let me meet anyone else on my own.

The closer I got, the slower I walked, practically jumping at every squeak of the floorboards.

Could I do this?

I tucked my hands into the pockets of my loose jeans and stopped in front of his door. Should I knock or should I retreat? Jayce had come back to the room twenty minutes ago, saying Declan and Rav had ordered naps all around before their venture into the catacombs.

Would I be interrupting him?

I sighed deep inside, the memories of our kiss flushing heat through me. His rough hands, the warmth of his lips. The way he’d said he loved smart women.

You’re not weak, Leigh. You’re not the woman Finn said you were. You’re not the woman your stepmother sees.

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