Page 57 of Unveiled

He traced one finger down her sternum, and sensation streamed through her. Jaclyn’s soft cry cut through the air, and she fell to her back with a soft groan.

Jaxon chuckled and kissed her one last time before pushing off the bed. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll make it up to you later.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

“Remind me why they’re doing this again,” Mason groused from the passenger seat.

Jaxon’s lips quirked up in a wry smile. “Because the client is always right.”

Mason huffed. “This is ridiculous.”

Jaxon lifted one shoulder. “Probably, but he wants proof, so they’re going to get him proof.”

Jaxon couldn’t imagine that Oliver Eldredge would have tried to move the statue just yet. Things were still too hot, and Jaxon doubted he wanted anything coming back on him. If the guy was even involved—and that was a big if. From what they’d discovered, he appeared to be squeaky clean. That didn’t mean that was the truth, but so far, there was no evidence to the contrary. He’d been more than accommodating, and Jaxon was beginning to think that Richter was just salty about their past and still carrying a grudge.

Concealed in an alley diagonal from the back of the shop, Jaxon flicked a glance at the clock before returning his eyes to the back door. Davenport was late. Only by a minute, but still. Oliver’s white Mercedes sat in its designated slot outside the back door, so Jaxon knew he was still there. Jaxon just prayed they wouldn’t miss their window of opportunity and have to do this all over again. Jaxon wanted to get this over with and get home to Adalyn.

As if Jaxon’s thought had conjured the man, his black Maserati pulled into the lot.

“He’s here.”

Mason glanced up from the phone in his hands. “’Bout time.”

Seconds later, a voice crackled over the computer system as Davenport synced up his comm device. “You hear me okay?”

“10-4,” Jaxon responded, and then he turned his gaze to the computer on the console. “Ready when you are.”

A new window popped up as Davenport activated the microscopic camera to give them eyes inside the shop. The trident on the steering wheel came into view as he climbed out of the car.

He certainly looked nothing like the police officer Jaxon knew he’d once been. Police lieutenant turned real estate mogul, Piers Davenport probably owned half the buildings in the city. He dabbled in construction, as well, and had helped smooth the way for Vantage when Knox was first getting started. His job today was to go in and scope out Oliver’s shop, see if he could dig up any information. In his pristine suit, Davenport fit in much better than any of them ever would.

For a long while, all was quiet. Then, through the discreetly placed receiver, Jaxon heard a saleswoman greet him.

“Hello, sir. May I help you find something?”

“I’ll let you know when I find it.” His voice was aloof, almost self-righteous, and Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Silence descended again, and Davenport leisurely strolled the shop, examining its contents. From what Jaxon understood, Oliver carried a variety of antiquities—everything from ancient artifacts to furniture he’d rescued and restored. Jaxon hoped Davenport knew what he was doing. Knox seemed to have faith in him, so Jaxon forced himself to do the same.

Beside Jaxon, Mason shifted and pulled his phone from his back pocket. He swiped a thumb over the screen, then grinned as an image popped up.

“Everything good?”

Mason redirected his gaze out the windshield, his face impassive as he laid his phone face down on his thigh. “Yep.”

Jaxon lifted a brow. “Is it serious?”

Mason’s phone vibrated, and his fingers flew over the screen. He sent the message, then clicked it off again. “Is what serious?”

“The girl you’re talking to.”

“Nah.”

And that, right there, told Jaxon just how much she meant to him. Twenty bucks said Mason fell into bed with the mystery woman an hour from now and wouldn’t surface until he had to report for work. A conspiratorial smile curved Jaxon’s mouth. “Fine, I’ll let you keep your secret.”

Mason lifted his middle finger in response but remained stony-faced, and Jaxon laughed. “Whatever, man. Have your fun.”