Page 46 of The Thief

I go take a closer look. It’s not one of hers, but I still find myself buying it. I’m shaking my head at my folly as I walk out of the store.

That’s when I notice something. The young man I saw at the farmer’s market is here, paying for a cup of coffee at a nearby stand.

The hair on the back of my neck stands up. What are the odds of running into the same person again?

Following a hunch, I duck into a small restaurant and linger over my meal. An hour later, I emerge into the square.

He’s still there. This time, he’s examining a pair of shoes with a frown.

He’stailingme.

And only one person has a reason to have me followed.

Antonio Moretti.

A hot flash of anger surges through me. He threw me out of his office and made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. How dare he have his people follow me around? I’m going to make him regret this.

I quickly formulate a plan and then make a beeline for my unwitting tail. “Hi,” I say brightly.

Consternation flashes over his face. “Signorina?”

“You work for Antonio, right? We had lunch plans at Quadri, but he’s running a little late.” I give him my most charming smile. “He told me to meet him at his house instead. Agnese isn’t in, but Antonio said one of his people could just let me in?”

The man responds just as I’m hoping he would. “Of course, Signorina Petrucci. I would be happy to escort you to Signor Moretti’s home.”

My guard’s name is Ignazio, and he takes me to Antonio’s house. A security guard comes up as he approaches the door, and the two of them have a hurried, low-voice discussion before Ignazio turns to me. “Signor Moretti is not home,” he says apologetically. “Stefano thinks he’s in a meeting.”

Perfect. Everything’s lining up exactly as I hoped it would.I glance at my phone as if I’m reading a text from Antonio. “Yeah, he says he’s just finishing up.” I shiver exaggeratedly and clutch my jacket closer. “Is it okay if I wait for him inside?”

Everyone wants to feel like they’re helping their boss out. Ignazio is young, and chances are, he’s keen and eager to make a difference. I’m going to take advantage of that.

As I expected, he lets me in out of the cold. Poor kid. He’s probably going to get into trouble because of me, and I feel a little bad about it, but not enough to abandon my plan.

As soon as the front door shuts behind me, I hurry to Antonio’s bedroom. I can’t count on having too much time. Ignazio might be easily fooled, but the other guard, Stefano, looked more suspicious. If Antonio doesn’t show up in the next few minutes, he might even call him to check my story. I need to grab the Titian and get the hell out of here.

As a happy coincidence, the painting I bought today is roughly the same size as the Titian. With a rueful grimace—I really did like the color—I hang it in place of theMadonna at Repose.

I hastily wrap the 16th-century masterpiece in the packaging my painting was wrapped in and then hurry out.

I’ve made no attempt to be sneaky. Antonio will know I’m responsible for the theft. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll stop home to grab my employee badge and then head straight to the museum. Once the painting is safely ensconced at the Palazzo Ducale, Antonio can kick and scream all he wants, but short of stealing it again, there’s not a damn thing he can do about it.

Thirty minutes later, after an excruciatingly slow ferry ride from Giudecca, I climb the stairs to my apartment. I open the front door, grinning in triumph at my successful heist.

“Hello, little thief,” Antonio says, his voice silken. “If you wanted to see me again, sweet Lucia, all you had to do was ask.”

24

ANTONIO

Ihave no business being here in Lucia’s apartment. I made the decision to stay away from her, and the first chance I got, I broke it.

But I can’t keep my distance. This cat-and-mouse game with Lucia—I’m addicted to it,to her.I know it’s a terrible idea to be here, yet I’m here anyway.

“What the hell are you doing in my apartment?” she demands. “How did you get in?”

Fuck me, she’s stunning. Her cheeks are flushed pink, her eyes shine like gems, and her hair cascades down her shoulders in glorious waves. Add in her crimson coat, and she looks like fire.

And she is going to burn you alive.

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