Page 20 of My Fair Thief

“You said it was in the family cemetery. It’s about a mile—most of it open ground. You’d have made an easy target for a sniper or anyone else who was lying in wait. Does it always upset you to visit your grandfather? Would it help if I went with you next time? I rather imagine the old man would have some stern words for me if he knew I was sharing a bed with his granddaughter without a ring on her finger.”

Claire laughed. “Not really. If he knew your heart and intentions were good, I think he’d be okay. Poppi was never very traditional. He would, however, be relieved you weren’t English.”

“But American is okay?”

“Yes, especially if you know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”

“What I don’t know, you can teach me.”

She lifted her head and looked at him. “I can hear other people, but is Mia here?”

“Yes, she came in last night with Carter. I’m not sure they’ve taken the big have sex together step, which I wish they’d do.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because they belong together. They’re perfect for each other. They’ll both be so much happier when they’ve fucked. Besides, if Carter sleeps with her, he can be in charge of keeping her out of trouble, which will leave me with only you to worry about.”

He looked down and grinned when he realized she was wearing his sweater. “I see you found my sweater.”

“I didn’t think you’d mind.”

He kissed her. “I don’t mind at all. That scarf looks nice with it.”

Claire unfastened the Celtic knot brooch, re-fastening it to the sweater before flinging the scarf over Fletch’s head and tying it loosely around his neck. “The scarf is yours. I want to keep the brooch. I remember my granda almost always had it on him.”

There was a knock on the door. “Claire?” called Mia. “Are you guys up? This crew wants to be fed, and we both know you’re better equipped to handle that than I am.”

“Coming.” She started to pull away, but he held her fast.

“We’re going to need to talk about the Clarion Necklace.”

“The Clarion Necklace?”

“Yes, the one you and Mia are planning to steal—or what is the term you like? Retrieve and restore.”

Her body, which had been supple and pliable as she’d leaned against him, went tense. He could feel the hostility bubbling beneath the surface.

“Let go,” she said in as civil a tone as she was probably able to manage.

“No. We’re going to talk about this like two people in a committed relationship. I’m going to try not to make ultimatums or edicts. And you’re going to try not to fly off the handle and walk away.”

“Want to bet?”

He realized only a fraction of a second before it happened that the way he was holding her had left him vulnerable to her bringing her knee up and sending his balls back up into his body cavity. Claire was just mean enough to do it, which he found oddly arousing. He was able to shift so that he deflected her knee and caught it with his thigh, which was a good thing because she could have done some serious damage to him.

“Kneeing me is not the way civilized people settle their disagreements.”

“I don’t know,” she snarled, working herself up into a real snit. “It’s always worked before.”

“Try it again and you and I are going to have a serious disagreement—one which you won’t like the consequences of. Come on, Claire, you knew I knew about the Clarion. I’m not so stupid as to think spending time with me in bed, however much you enjoy it, is going to deter you from your goal.”

“Good. Then you won’t be surprised when I tell you to fuck off. Now, let go! Your people want to be fed.”

She pushed past him and tried to get out of the room. He grasped her upper arm and swung her back toward him before backing her up against the door.

“My people are all grown adults and can fucking pour their own Cheerios.”

“Claire?” called Mia, rattling the door. “Are you all right?”

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