“You still work for this Liam guy?” Maya asks.
I clamp my lips together.
“I’ll take that as a yes. And you are here for him?”
I nod before realizing I’ve just confirmed her first question. “He finds people who have been stolen from and sets things right.”
“Ironic for a thief,” she muses.
“That’s what makes him good at it.”
“And if you don’t get the painting?” she asks, pursing her lips.
I shrug. “I don’t know; I’ve never failed before.”
“You got awfully close this time.”
I got much more than I bargained for with this job, but it doesn’t feel like a failure. Not after this. I round the popcorn stand, trapping her in the small space behind it. “Do you have any more questions for me?” My voice has dippedlower. Now that I’ve confessed, I find I want to admit more. Anything she wants to know, I’ll tell her.
Her eyes dart between mine, indecision in those beautiful irises. “I think you just about covered it.” She tries to step around me, but I snatch her hand, pulling her into my chest. She looks up at me, lips parted, and no garlic on her breath.
“Maybe there’s more I want to tell you.”
She chews on her bottom lip, her eyes blinking rapidly. “Maybe I’m not ready to hear it.”
“Afraid?”
“Terrified.”
That word, so raw and honest, has me leaning to close the distance and show her it's okay. This time I’ll protect her heart. That I want this.
I hesitate. Do I really want this?
I look at those eyes once more.
Without a doubt, I want her and a life that comes with her. I don’t know how that would look, how it would work, but I want to try. I grab the back of her head and—
Ding dong!
Chapter 22
Maya
Ofalltheterribletimes to get an unwanted visitor. But is there ever a good time for an unwanted visitor? I pull away from Soren and head for the front door.
“Wait.” Soren drags me back. “It could be dangerous.”
All day I’ve been hoping our visitor from last night was a misunderstanding. A drunk guy who tried to get into the wrong place. But Soren’s serious look sets my heart racing.
He said more people want the painting. That’sthem. More thieves. And they are going to kill us. I feel like a headless chicken running around except I’m not moving. Which is making my internal freak-out far less effective.
“Hey.” Soren grips me tighter, and I focus my wild gaze on his intent one. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I will protect you, I promise.” He releasesone arm to go to the nearest monitor and access the feed, pulling me along with him.
An older lady stands there, a plate of cookies in her hand. I nearly sag to the floor with relief. “It’s Mrs. Morrison.” I pull out of his grasp and head for the door.
“Wait.” He grabs my arm again. “Someone could be with her.”
“There was no one else on the camera feed.”
