Page 47 of The British Bastard

On my way to the kitchen, I take a moment to gaze out the picture windows and appreciate the view. Everything seems more beautiful and more meaningful today. I know Alex loves me, even though he has never spoken the words, because he proved that to me last night with his expressions and his body. As I trot into the kitchen, I already have a menu in mind for our post-sex meal.

Will Alex propose to me someday? I have an intuition that he will. Maybe I'll become Catriona Thorne soon. Of course, he'll need to meet my family first. I know they will love him almost as much as I do.

As I whip up our breakfast, I can't help dancing and humming along to the songs on the radio. Since I know how to cook these dishes from memory, I allow myself to fantasize about what our wedding might be like, how handsome Alex will look in a tuxedo, and how happy we will be.

Someone knocks on the front door so loudly that it rattles.

I race to the door and swing it open. All the blood in body seems to have turned to ice, and I stare numbly at the two men standing before me.

The police officers stare at me with stony expressions. One of them speaks. "Catriona MacTaggart?"

"Aye, that's me."

He brings out a pair of handcuffs. "You're under arrest for suspicion of smuggling antiquities."

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