There’s no swaying her and I can see she truly believes the diamond is there.
“And you need me to help you break in, find it and then verify its authenticity.”
“Correct.”
“I’m going to need to see this map.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She reaches for her purse and retrieves a folded piece of paper. “It’s a copy of the original, but still legible.”
I take the map and carefully unfold it. For a long moment, I study the detailed schematics of Heidenreichstein Castle and its hidden underground passageways. “You’re assuming no one has found and searched these tunnels.” I look up, locking gazes with her. “Why?”
“Because they haven’t,” she states, all sexy confidence. “No one knows this story better than me. And those tunnels?” She points to the map. “That’s a new and very significant discovery.”
I’m still not completely convinced and make a noncommittal sound.
“I don’t need you to believe it, Ryder. I just need you to help me break inside.”
“That could be a big problem.” After studying the map, I’m not overly happy about what I see. “We’re looking at breaching a very fortified castle wall. There’s a drawbridge, a keep that measures fourteen meters high, and several strong-looking, circular towers. Not to mention, all the cameras and alarms and fun modern stuff they’ve installed to keep thieves out.”
“You’re saying you can’t do it?”
“No.” I hand her the map back. “But you’re definitely going to make me work.”
“It’s breachable,” she declares with a flip of her ponytail. “We just need to figure out how to get inside a castle that no enemy in history has ever been able to take.”
“Exactly.” I rake a hand through my hair, sitting back in my seat. Time to rack my brain. Because if I’ve learnedanything from working at A-Squared, it’s that there’s always a way.
By the time we land in Vienna, I think I’ve figured out how to get us into the castle, but I haven’t told Bella yet because I want to take a tour and check things out firsthand. Online information is only so reliable, and decades old maps—especially unverifiable ones like the one Bella has—are notoriously untrustworthy. She gets us tickets online for tomorrow morning, so there’s not much more I can plan until I’m able to scope the medieval joint out in person.
There’s a car waiting when we step off the plane, and we toss our bags into the back. She climbs into the driver’s seat, so I take shotgun. “Where are we staying?” I ask.
“Off-grid. A friend’s house in the country.”
A male friend?I can’t help but wonder how close she and this friend are, but there’s no way I’m asking. She’s a beautiful woman who probably has men tripping over her. But she’s also a bit prickly and, if I had to guess, quite particular. Our earlier conversation comes careening back to me. The one when she said sex was overrated.
I’d never describe sex as being overrated, and I’ve always enjoyed a good romp. I’m going to take a wild guess and say her bedmates have been selfish pricks who never took the time to appreciate or pleasure her. Lucky for her, I enjoy agood challenge. And I’d love a chance to try to change her mind. Figure out how to rock her world.
When we reach the place where we’re staying, a little cottage with a lot of charm, I’ve already imagined six different ways I could use my mouth and fingers alone to make Bella come.Later.If I’m extremely lucky and she warms up to me, I might have a chance to kiss her. And that’s a really big “if.”
Slow your roll, McKay.One thing at a time. Purple diamond then, if I’m extremely lucky, Bella Diamond.
We grab our bags and walk up the pathway to the small house. I watch Bella lift the mat, pluck up a key and unlock the door. Security must not be much of an issue around here.Ironic,I think,because here we are—two thieves casually strolling into the place.
There are two bedrooms, all clean and ready for us, and a pantry and refrigerator stocked with the basics. Clearly, someone prepared the place for our arrival.
“I need to call Addie,” I say after everything is situated. Bella doesn’t look happy about it, but I don’t care. “If I don’t, she’ll worry, and then my whole crew will show up here. If you don’t want that—”
“I don’t.”
“Then let me call her. I’ll tell her I had to leave town for a few days.”
“Fine,” she relents with a pout.
She’s freaking adorable. Smothering a smile, I place a quick call to Addison Mills and explain how I had to leave, but that I’ll be back soon.
“Is everything okay?” Addie asks, and I’m not surprised. She’sextremely perceptive.
“Grand,” I reply easily. “Just have to take care of some personal stuff. Nothing too serious.”
