Page 52 of Forever a Thief

“It wasn’t long before a guard came over and yelled at me for touching the glass and dirtying it up with my grubby fingerprints. He looked at me like I was trash. Filthy. Said I didn’t belong there. It’s strange how some things stick with you long after they’ve happened. I can still see the disgust on his face.

“Of course, I didn’t have a ticket, so I ran. When I got home, my mom’s friend from work was there. And she told me what happened, and how I had to go to a foster home.”

I sniff softly, trying to hold back my emotion for his sake. “Oh, Rhys.”

“I ran away to Paris instead.”

“You went to Paris all by yourself? At twelve?” My heart clenches. “How did you survive on your own in such a big city?”

He swallows hard, and I can tell this next part is hard for him. “I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Remy.” Taking a breath, he continues. “After seven days of being hungry, homeless and alone, I was ready to return to my little town in Provence. But then I met Remy. He was a year older than me and so street-smart. I thought he was the best thing since baguettes. While I had zero confidence, he overflowed with it. Along with possessing a ton of charisma and charm. I knew I wanted to be just like him within a minute of meeting him.” A soft, wistful smile softens his face. “He took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. Remy and Rhys. We made a great team, conning rich people left and right. And then…” A pained look flashes across his face.

“What happened?” I ask softly.

“We picked the wrong man to steal from,” he says darkly. “We were just a couple of hungry kids.” His mouth flattens. “My job was to keep a lookout and distract the police if they came around while Remy picked the man’s wallet. We’d done it a hundred times before. But this time, the man caught him and gave chase. He yelled for the police. Instead of running toward me, Remy took off in the opposite direction, drawing them all away from me. I was supposed to be the distraction, not him. Me, dammit. Yet I just stood there, hiding in the alley, unable to move. Frozen while I watched him race along the edge of the Seine. Somehow, he slipped. I remember watching in terror as he hit his head and fell into the water. While I should’ve been running and diving into the river to save him, I just fucking stood there.”

“You were in shock,” I tell him, immediately coming to his defense. “And scared. The police should’ve helped him.”

“I should’ve helped him, but I ended up running. Someone on the street pointed me out, accusing me of being a part of the theft, and I took off. Later, I found out Remy drowned.”

“You can’t blame yourself, Rhys.”

“But, I do. I’ve hated myself for being a coward and hiding in the shadows. Hated myself so much that I stopped going by Rhys and began referring to myself only as Laurent. Taking on a new persona, becoming someone else, because I could barely look at myself in the mirror.

“Our names were so similar. Rhys and Remy. Every time I said my name, I thought of him. Of how much he’d taught me. And how I’d have to do everything going forward on my own because I didn’t have the balls to save him like he’d saved me. It hurt too much to even remember him. See? I’m a fucking coward.”

“No, you’re not. When I was in trouble, when I needed you most, you stepped up. You didn’t leave my side, Rhys. You rushed into a burning building to rescue me the first time, and you barely knew me,” I remind him. “And then you went up against Voss and his men. I can’t thank you enough. And when I say you’re my hero, I mean it.” I twist around and grab his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me. “You, Rhys, are my fucking hero. I mean that to the depths of my grateful heart. And I need you to believe it, too.”

His eyes glisten with unshed tears, and it’s my undoing.

“Stop blaming yourself for an accident you had no control over,” I plead passionately. “You were a scared child, on your own and in a situation you never should have been. And you’ve become a good man, an amazing man, and I love you.”

I pull his face toward mine and kiss him hard, because maybe if my words don’t convince him, my kiss will. The meeting of our mouths is turbulent—lips parted, tongues lashing—and I move closer, straddling him. When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard and I drag my hands around his neck and squeeze.

“I love you, Rhys,” I say simply. “I love every part of you—past, present and future.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, chérie. But I’m never, ever giving you back.”

I laugh through the tears sliding down my face. “Good,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around him and pressing my cheek to his chest. “I’m all yours. Forever.”

Epilogue 1: Rhys

One Week Later…

After following Savannah back to Coronado, she invites me to stay at her place. Even though it’s cozy, I decide it’s far too small, and she deserves something much nicer. I also decide I’m making her mine as soon as possible. Being able to call her my wife is my highest priority.

Easy, Rhys. The last thing I want to do is move too fast and scare her off, but I’m a man who knows what he wants. And I have a list of things I’m going to do for her.

So, first things first. I deposit an obscene amount of money in her business account because I want her to be able to rebuild the restaurant she loved and lost. It’s a huge project because she’s choosing a new location—a place right on the beach, where Charlie’s Place can be bigger and better, but still maintain its cozy roots.

While Savvy is busy with the restaurant plans, I can slip away more easily and take care of two other things on my list. A bigger place for us to live in close proximity to the new restaurant—guess that means we’re going to live only steps away from the sand, because only the best for my woman—and an engagement ring to put on her finger. I’m envisioning a big diamond surrounded by sapphires. Or vice versa. Whichever sparkles brighter.

Speaking of sapphires, my mind turns to The Heart of Azure. After telling the Turkish authorities about what happened in Istanbul, Adam Voss is no longer a threat. Attempted murder by poisoning and breaking into a national treasure like the cistern and stealing a priceless necklace hidden there didn’t make him look very good. I hope he and his thugs enjoy rotting away in a Turkish prison.

Meanwhile, as far as I’m aware, the necklace is still in police custody. Due to its long and varied history and transition of ownership, where it ends up is really anyone’s guess. It’s a bit of an orphan now. Just like me. Or, like I was. Now, I’m happy to say I have a family which consists of Savvy, her sister and in-laws, and a merry band of former thieves.

The stolen copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was “mysteriously” returned to its owner. But that didn’t deter me from tracking down an original 1865 first edition. I have connections, after all. Might as well use them. And I think it will make a lovely wedding present to my even lovelier bride. One day.

I thought retirement would be a sad ending to my career, but it feels amazing. There’s no need to put on a show anymore. I can just be me. Although, I still have an innate inclination to embrace my debonair side, and Savvy loves to tease me about it. But no matter how hard I try to not be a snob when it comes to certain things, like clothing, you’ll never see me trade my linen lounge pants for a pair of loud boardshorts or my Italian loafers for Crocs. Hideous. Makes my eyes burn and my skin itch.