Page 135 of Lost to Thievery
We were all sitting in the library around the cozy fireplace, finally relaxing after unpacking six months’ worth of stuff. Including Grayson’s new favourite painting, hanging on the mantle above the fireplace. The woman staring at the moon—the painting he stole from the student in Florence.
Grayson was absentmindedly playing with my hair, lost in a book. Rach sat on the other end of the sofa, painting my toenails. I wiggled them at her, and she smacked my foot to keep still. I giggled, my heart feeling overwhelmingly full.
“I think you should go with the burgundy,” Rach said to Gem, who was frowning at a wedding magazine. She was trying to pick out a colour scheme for her snowy beach wedding.
“Yes!” Hunter exclaimed. “Epic.”
Gemma chewed on her lip, but her eyes were already sparkling. “You guys think so?”
I nodded my agreement. “You want weird and magical? A pop of bright burgundy on the snowy beach would bestunninglyweird and magical.”
Gemma squealed excitedly, crushing the magazine to her chest.
“Since we’re going for weird and magical, can I dress up as a knight? In like armour?” Hunter asked, shooting his shot.
Rachel giggled down at my toes. “How will you kiss the bride?”
Hunt shrugged. “My brother’s a genius. We’ll figure something out.”
Grayson peered over his book, lifting a brow, but Hunter ignored the look.
“Please, Gem? We’re in a castle and everything,” he pleaded, pulling her closer to him.
Gemma shook her head, laughing up at the ceiling. “Why the hell not?”
“Yes! Thank you!” Hunter cried out, kissing Gem all over her face.
“Save some of that for the wedding,” came a voice from the door, startling me.
Ice shot up my veins.
I moved so fast, the world seemed to spin as I plucked Grayson’s gun from his hip and pointed it at the man coming through the door.
Director Devereux.
How did he find us? My heart raced.
He quickly shoved the woman with him behind him. His wife. Mary, was it?
It was all of two seconds before Grayson was in front of me, blocking my view of the director, stepping in front of the gun.
“Ava…” he said calmly, bringing his hands up slowly as if not to startle me.
Why was he so calm? The FBI found us!
“Grayson, he’s…” I tried to find the words while fear choked me.
“I know.” He softly placed his hands over mine where I tightly gripped the gun. He bent down and kissed my knuckles. “Give me the gun, baby.”
I was shaken and confused, but I released the gun to him, trusting him.
When he had it, he let out a breath on a chuckle, then pulled me into him, kissing my forehead before stepping out of the way.
What the hell was happening?
“Jeez, Ava! Don’t scare me like that!” Hunter exhaled from close behind me.
Director Devereux glared between me and Grayson with Mary peering wide-eyed over his shoulder.
