Page 106 of The San Marco Heist

A few couples followed our lead, along with a mother and her young son. Nothing fancy, as I worried Scarlett would catch a heel on the stones. Just enough to hold her against me and enjoy the evening. “When’s Emmett cleared to fly home?”

“Wednesday, I think. The ribs and bruises aren’t really a problem, but based on the head injuries, Rav wants him to stay put in case there’s a concussion.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say. After a late-night escape from San Michele and the hours spent trying to track down where Noah had gone, we’d had precious little time in the wee hours this morning before we passed out from exhaustion. Then it was vetting the new couriers, specific instructions to ensure the Codex and ring made it back safely, and time at the hospital.

Evelyn had requested they hold a Lessons Learned meeting once they got home, so Scarlett had a couple days’ respite, at least.

I urged her away from me, to spin slowly under my arm, and then tucked her back where she belonged against my chest. “Any chance you can stay on here longer than that?”

“More itch scratching?”

I lowered my hand to the small of her back and pulled her closer. “More of… I don’t know, everything?”

“A tall order and yet particularly vague.”

“I don’t know what magic you weaved, woman, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t just walk away.”

Her face was serious, betraying little emotion. Not giving me much to work with. “So much for the lone wolf?”

I dipped my head to kiss her, soft lips and gentle tongue. A tiny sigh escaped her chest and her hand slid up from my shoulder to cup the nape of my neck. When we stopped, I said, “I’m not so sure that’s what I want anymore.”

“You want to join my pack?” Still no hint of emotion in the words. Plenty in the kiss, just not the words. Was it just a job offer? Or was she steeling herself against the possibility that a job was all I wanted?

“I’ve never worked with a group like this before. Never spent time with people like your team. The way you all care for and look out for each other, it’s amazing.” I curled our hands against my chest, the pressure bringing my attention to how fast my heart was beating. “You’re amazing. And I’m hoping we can spend a lot more time together.”

Chapter 43

Scarlett

Istoppeddancingandwrapped my arms around his neck, leaving Malcolm to do the same around my waist. “For the last two years, I’ve shut my feelings off, even more than normal. I’ve been living in the past with a man who wasn’t worth a second of my time. I want to taste life again.”

“I’m hoping you mean with me?”

“I do.” Warmth pooled in my stomach, and I lifted on my toes to kiss his cheek. “I decided that before we even found out about Noah.”

His head jerked back. “Seriously?”

“Even when you irritate me, I feel more alive with you than I have in years. I don’t want to give that up.”

“Shall I go back to irritating you then?”

I grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked playfully. “Don’t make me sic Rav on you.”

“Anything but that.” He kissed my temple, and I sighed. “I’ll even volunteer to tell your mother you hired me.”

After talking to Noah, that meant even more than it would have a day ago. He’d hidden away for two years to avoid her—if that was even true. Anyone who actually loved me wouldn’t have been chased off by an overbearing mother-in-law. “She doesn’t scare you?”

He snorted, the overconfident gesture obviously masking something deeper I wanted to learn about. “She’s hardly the first tyrannical parent I’ve dealt with.”

“Noah…” I scrunched my toes inside my shoes. How was I in the middle of St. Mark’s Square, in this man’s arms, with my team nearby, and still I couldn’t shut off the memories of Noah? The memories of all the little things no one ever pointed out to me. Hehadn’tbeen worth two years of celibacy, let alone every moment I spent on him before that. “He used to say I was frigid. Unemotional. Just like Mum.”

“You’re careful with your heart. There’s nothing wrong with that.” He held me tighter, one of his hands winding its way up my spine. “I’m just happy you want to share a little of it with me.”

Let it go, Scar. Show him your emotions. Be real. I let out a long, slow breath, and eased the pressure inside my shoes, instead letting the corners of my lips rise. I looked back up at Malcolm, who smiled at me. The lights from the surrounding buildings reflected in the depths of those stunning blue eyes, and for a moment, I let myself be lost in them.

He didn’t just want me for me. For my brain, my skills, and my sharp mouth. He wanted my team and my family around me. Could I be so lucky he’d keep wanting that for longer than this trip?

“As much as I’m getting used to this team concept…” His hands trailed down the curve of my ass and squeezed, then leaned in to blow across my earlobe, igniting a fire deep in my core. “How long do we have to stay down here? I want to spend more time making you feel alive.”

---