Page 54 of Steal a King (Five Kings 2)

“Maybe, then again, what would that achieve? I mean, surely you are the bigger target, anyway, so their job would be done.”

“What a way to go though.”

“If you say so.” She grins and I dip my head and capture her smile against my lips and she tastes so fucking good. Like the sweetest candy and I’m like a kid who can’t get enough as I run my hand around her head and pull her closer, grinding my lips on her in a fevered show of passion. It feels so good to be here with her. Why can’t I appear to breathe without her by my side? How has this happened in such a short time, and what the fuck am I going to do about it?

She feels so good, soft and vulnerable as she shivers against me and I’m having a hard time remembering the fact we have close on a dozen operatives outside watching our every move.

Reluctantly, I pull back and nod to the basket.

“So, are you hungry, I brought food?”

“What have you got?”

With a flourish, I open the basket and reveal the wrapped sandwiches, small pots of salad, pasta and dips. Fruits and desserts that make my mouth water and a big bottle of champagne that I proceed to uncork before pouring some into two crystal glasses that are a little over the top but who cares. She deserves the best of everything and I demand it.

We sit on her desk and I look with interest at what she’s working on.

Lifting it up, I blink in surprise. “This is good.”

“I’m the best.” She winks and I nod. “You are, there’s no argument about that from me. So, is this the kind of thing you do?”

The small picture she’s working on looks as if it was painted by Monet, and she screws up her face and glances at it critically.

“A lot of the time it’s artwork. This particular one is a copy of a copy. Two sisters grew up with it, and when their mother died, they only had the one fond memory. They couldn’t agree who got to keep it, so they came here and asked for an exact replica to solve the problem. They will share the cost and take turns in hanging the original, but have the copy in place in the meantime. It’s a little odd if I’m honest, but it works for them.”

“How much do you charge for forging Art?”

I laugh as she shakes her head. “This one is $500. Rather less than the original and more than the copy their mother owned. They wanted the little blemishes that have appeared over time that wouldn’t show on a shop bought copy. See, this little tear in the corner and the slight yellowing around the edges.”

I study the picture and feel proud of her. She’s certainly talented, and I delve a little deeper.

“So, do you advertise, how do people know of your talents?”

“I have a website and an online presence. Word of mouth usually trumps everything, though.”

Thinking about the reason she’s in my life at all, I wonder about the person who ordered the coin. It doesn’t seem a coincidence that she was used, but why someone on my doorstep?

For the first time since I met her, I start to question her involvement. What was surely just a coincidence is starting to look a little different now, and she says, “Hey, you’ve gone quiet on me, what’s up?”

She looks interested and I sigh. “I was just wondering about why you were asked to replicate the coin. Surely, they could have used a more untraceable organization, I mean, I’m not saying anything against you but it’s a little close to home, wouldn’t you say?”

“I suppose, maybe it’s someone local, someone who knows I’m here and thought you would never find out.”

“Possibly.” My mind is working overtime right now because, to be honest, I’ve just left this to Ryder to investigate because I’ve been more interested in finding Ella than the truth behind the reason she’s here.

She sounds worried. “Do you think it’s someone close to you, a friend maybe, a business associate, someone who works for you?”

She looks around and I share her concern. It’s all a little close to home and suddenly, I feel like the biggest fool in the world when I realize I’ve put us both in danger just being here.

With a firm resolve, I stare at her with genuine remorse, because she doesn’t deserve to be caught up in this shit storm.

“I’m sorry, darlin’, this isn’t going to work.”

“What isn’t?”

Her eyes are wide and I see the tears building because she probably thinks I’m ending our involvement. Far from it in fact, because now more than ever I need her close.

“I’m sorry, but you need to come back to the safety of the casino. Just the fact we’re here tells the person responsible we’re onto them.”

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