Page 27 of Forever a Thief

“Come on in,” Merritt invites us, breaking through my musings, and everyone enters their home.

And it truly is a home. Warm and welcoming. A soft scent lingers in the air—like sea salt and jasmine—reminding me of a spring day in SoCal.

“I want to hear all about the masquerade party,” Merritt says.

“I want to hear all about the heist.” Hunter McGrath strolls forward. The pilot wears her trademark tanktop, jeans and boots, but her long russet hair hangs loose, free of its usual ponytail. Knox moves straight to her side, sweeping an arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her.

I know the minute she sees me, and I’m not sure what I’m expecting, but it’s not the excitement in her voice when she says, “Savannah! How are you?”

She manages to disentangle herself from Knox, and we hug. “I’m good, thanks. How are you?”

“Wonderful,” she says as Knox tugs her under the crook of his arm. Ever since getting together with him, Hunter has become more relaxed and easygoing. “Your new niece is adorable, by the way.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Harper and Ryland remind me of Barbie and Ken—blue eyes, dirty blond hair, perfect cheekbones…stereotypical all-American couple. It’s really no surprise they made a beautiful baby.

“Did you expect anything less?” Addie asks. “My brother and Savannah’s sister have great genes.”

“Your genes are pretty perfect, too,” Cole says, handing her a glass of wine.

“Thank you, my Detective.” Addie clinks her glass against his.

“I’m betting we could make some beautiful babies,” he adds in a low voice.

“Cole!” She nudges him with her elbow then gives him a saucy grin. “Of course, we could. And one day, maybe we will.”

“My mom keeps hinting about wanting to be a grandma.”

“There’s no hinting about it! She’s been pretty forthright, but one thing at a time.” She waves her diamond and ruby engagement ring at him, slips her hand in his and then turns her attention back to Hunter. “You missed out on a flawless heist.”

“Voss is going to shit himself when he sees that empty case,” Knox predicts.

“The book was never his to begin with,” Laurent reminds us.

“So what’s the hidden clue?” Brighton asks, sipping a glass of champagne. “Let me see the book.”

She turns to Laurent, and he hesitates briefly before reaching into his jacket and removing the book. I can tell he doesn’t really want to hand it over, but he does, anyway. I’m not sure if it has more to do with him not trusting easily, or because the book is way more than just paper to him.

Brighton flips through the pages and frowns. “Nothing seems special about it,” she declares, handing it back.

“It’s special,” he insists. “I just have to figure out how.”

“Good luck with that.” Brighton tips her glass in his direction then turns her attention to baby Tristan.

“What if you can’t figure out the clues?” I ask him.

“I will.” A determined gleam lights his green eyes.

As much as I want to go back to the Ritz-Carlton with Laurent and continue what we started in Voss’s music room, I’m enjoying my time with everyone so much. I don’t get to socialize often and I’m growing so comfortable with everyone. Laurent must notice because he doesn’t rush me. Instead, he turns up the charm and mingles, too. He never leaves my side for longer than a minute or two, and every time I turn around, he’s there with a touch or a dashing smile that makes my insides turn all melty.

Brighton and Laurent, both French, start talking about how France has the best champagne in the world. She tells me her favorite drink is a Kir Royale. When I mention I’ve never had one before, she sidles up to the side bar, searching for the correct ingredients. Linc pulls down a fancy bottle of Chambord since she’s too short to reach it, and the next thing I know, she’s whipping up Kir Royales garnished with raspberries, and I’m drinking them like Kool-Aid.

As the night wears on, I’ve decided Kir Royales are my favorite drink, too. After a few too many, I’m feeling positively giddy. As effervescent as the bubbles I’m drinking. This departure from my normal reality is something I’ve truly needed.

I’m talking to Hunter and Addie when I notice Laurent is nowhere in sight. Missing those sharp cheekbones, that debonair smile and his devastating wit, I excuse myself and wander out the rear sliding doors to find him standing on the huge back patio, gazing off into the darkness. It’s a bit more than a mere patio with all its tropical flowers and plants—more like an exotic garden—and I’m mesmerized by the sensual scents and visuals surrounding me.

Moving up behind him, I drag a hand over his biceps and circle around his tall frame to stand in front of him. “There you are,” I murmur, trailing my fingers around his sleeve, across his firm chest and up to toy with his bowtie. “Looking as dashing as ever, I might add.”

He arches a dark brow. “How many of those have you consumed?” he asks, attention on the empty glass in my hand.