Page 5 of Cozen

“The Van Gogh heist. One of the few paintings I know you’ve stolen.”

“The owner sold it during a rough patch.”

Ace shot her a look.

Cozen shrugged. “Basically, the bastard sold it to keep it out of his wife’s hands during a nasty divorce.”

“Ah. And what, he couldn’t get it back afterward?”

“No.” Cozen smiled, sly and slow. “The wife wanted it back. A gift from her father, apparently. Three million for a successful heist on a painting the size of my head, Ace. I was done after that one. I should have stayed done.”

“Then why aren’t you? I could have offered the job to someone else had you refused. I am the broker, Zen. I know other thieves who could have figured this out, and successfully got the job done.”

Tension curled around her shoulders.

Unease settled in her gut.

Longing burrowed into her heart.

“Maybe it’s me,” she murmured.

“You?”

“I like the chase. I get a high from the thrill. I should say no, and be satisfied with the security I have in my life, but I can’t. I need the next challenge.”

“Ah, I see.”

Before the two could talk more, a ring broke their attention away. Sitting higher on the reclined wicker lounger, the Blackberry vibrated and rang until it slid down to Cozen’s waiting hand on the fourth ring.

It wasn’t a call.

Just a message.

The Astors will see you now, it read.

“The Astors call,” Cozen said heavily.

Ace was already standing and discarding his unfinished whiskey. “Never make that family wait. I swear there’s nothing they hate more.”

“I’ve only met them once, and that was at a third-party event. Are they as excessive and extravagant as everyone says?”

“Yes.”

Ace didn’t even bother to explain more of his confirmation. Her curious look did nothing to urge him on, either.

Just a simple yes.

“You know, Zen,” Ace said as they navigated their way down the beach, “I do like that you went back to your natural hair color. The russet makes you stand out in a sea full of blondes here.”

His hand came up to touch one of her free waves, but she was quick to react with a swing of her hand. She caught the side of his hand with her own, twisted his arm back, and yanked it down to his side without ever breaking stride beside him.

“Shit,” Ace hissed.

Cozen let him go. “Don’t touch me.”

“I meant no harm. And damn, I can’t give you a compliment, either?”

He rubbed his hand, and his eyes burned with fire.