Page 64 of Never Enough

“Yes, but we have different specialties. My eldest brother, Rowan, specializes in urban environments—skyscrapers, that kind of thing. He’s based out of London. Gael lives on St. Kitts. He specializes in larger acquisitions. Oddities. Like, say youwanted to steal an elephant from South Africa and move it to Texas.”

“He has not.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that hypothetical example.”

Nemo whistled. “That takes balls way bigger than brains.”

She continued, “Oscar is our version of Indiana Jones. Antiquities are his passion. No clue where he is right now. And then there’s me.”

“And then there’s you.” Nothing could have stopped him from touching her at that moment. He reached out and gently pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger, turning her to face him. “The brightest jewel in the crown.”

He leaned in, stopping halfway to give her time to rebuff him if she didn’t want his kiss. When she stayed still, her eyes fixed on him, he continued his slow lean. Her eyes closed just before contact was made.

The kiss was merely the placement of his lips on hers, his head tilted to adjust to her position. His top and bottom lip surrounded her top lip, the slightest of pulls to her flesh. He kissed her like that, dragging out the time from touch to pull, just enjoying her mouth beneath his. She soaked in the attention, not reciprocating but certainly not discouraging his attention.

On the fourth soft kiss, he felt a featherlight touch on his face. Her hand had lifted to touch his cheek, then curved around his jaw.

“Nemo.” His name was an exhaled vocalization.

“Yes, Gem? Stop?”

Eyes still closed, fingertips still on his skin, she sucked in her lips and shook her head. “No. Don’t stop.”

“Good. Because I don’t want to stop.”

It should have been impossible to get physically closer toher, but he managed to shift the infinitesimal amount needed so that they were seamlessly pressed against one another, shoulder to hip to knee. His lips returned to hers, not changing the pressure or action. Just showing her over and over how much he liked kissing her.

The beeping of his watch interrupted the tender moment. Forehead to hers, he muttered an apology. He knew he needed to answer the text, but he remained motionless, his eyes closed, soaking up this quietness with her. The next time the notification pinged, he pulled back, tapped his watch, and saw his brother’s request to call him.

Another tap to his watch, and Midas answered before the first ring was even complete.

“You alone?”

Gem gave him a smile and jumped down from the table to give him privacy, heading over to Scheherazade, who was now standing at the edge of the surf, barking at the waves.

“What is so damn important?” Nemo barked.

“Waters wants everyone on a curfew.”

“What are we? Twelve? Is he doing bed checks, too?”

Midas snorted. “What would be the point? You’re never in yours.”

Silence.

Midas sighed. “Sorry, baby bro.”

Nemo chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”

“This whole situation has me out of sorts. We just heard the jet’s going to be coming in hot, and we need to be ready to go when Medusa gets here. Apparently, we’re picking up Cerberus on our way to Africa.”

Nemo grumbled, “I don’t trust that guy.”

“You’re a bit biased. However, Loki has convinced Waters that he’s a stand-up guy, and allegedly, we need him, so we’re collecting him in Sri Lanka. Maybe once we’rewith him in person, the vibe will change.” There was a pause. “How’s Operation Gem in Thirty Days proceeding?”

Damn, that nickname sounds so good coming out of people’s mouths.

“Was going great until my watch pinged. But no harm done. Can you do me a favor, though?”

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