Page 62 of Never Trust a Thief
We all wait for Laurent to explain his situation, but he doesn’t. Meanwhile, Addie connects to her brother, getting straight to the point. He’s not on speaker, so I’m not sure what he’s saying. But after a quick conversation, she hangs up and takes her phone back from Cole.
“Ryland, Harper and the baby are visiting friends up North,” she tells us. “Laurent?”
“I’m here.”
“There’s a little restaurant just off Main Street called Charlie’s Place.”
“Not much in the mood for a dinner date,” he responds.
“My brother’s sister-in-law will be closing up,” Addie continues, ignoring his remark. “Laurent, go to Charlie’s Place and ask for Savannah, okay?”
“I—” Click. The call disconnects, and we allexchange worried looks.
“What do you think happened?” I ask. Laurent has always been my competition. A sneaky French thief who exudes enormous charisma and wit. He’s the kind of man who can break into the Louvre, steal the Mona Lisa and charm his way out, all without breaking a sweat.
“This is the infamous Laurent we’re talking about,” Knox says. “Whatever happened, he’ll be fine. He’s like a cat with nine lives who always lands on his feet.”
“True,” Ryder agrees, reaching for my hand.
“The Denver PD could never pin anything on him,” Cole tells us. “He’s too good. Hell, we never even found out his first name.”
We all look at each other, and it occurs to me that no one here actually knows if Laurent is even his name at all. I guess the Frenchman and I are similar in that regard—carefully-guarded and secretive. Always hiding behind a well-constructed mask. Well, weweresimilar. Because I don’t need to shield myself any longer. I’ve found people I can finally open up to and trust without fear of consequences. I have friends, and I have a man who loves me like I’ve only ever dreamed of being loved.
“Harper is calling Savannah right now,” Addie adds. “Hopefully, he makes it there okay.”
“I’m sure he will,” Cole says dryly. “But is poor Savannah ready to deal with him?”
“Harper said Savannah gave up on men a long time ago,” Addie murmurs. “Maybe a visit from the infamous Laurent is just the thing she needs.”
“God help her,” Cole mutters, and we all chuckle. “But, hey, if it gets his attention off my beautiful fiancée then I’m all for it.”
“Are you jealous, my detective?” she teases.
“He has too many nicknames for you,” he growls, pulling her into his arms, and we all laugh because it’s true.
As everyone starts chatting again, Ryder guides me away from the group and leads me through a set of sliding glass doors and out onto a lovely back patio. As I look around, I suppose “patio” is an understatement. There’s rattan furniture with a ceiling fan lazily spinning above, and it’s all surrounded by endless, colorful plants and flowers. The scent of jasmine fills the air, and I see the delicate pink flowers wound around the pillars.
“It’s so pretty out here,” I murmur.
Ryder opens his arms, and I step into his embrace. “Smells just like you.” He begins kissing my neck, and I lean back and sigh. I’ve never felt so content or deliriously happy. “No, I take that back.” I straighten up and frown. “You smell better.”
“Good save,” I tease.
“Your delicious jasmine scent is one of the first things I noticed about you.”
“Oh?”
“Even when I didn’t see or recognize you because you were in some disguise, the moment I smelled jasmine, I knew you were there. Somewhere. And then I’d start sniffingyou down like a deranged but determined bloodhound.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re crazy.”
“Crazy for you.”
We share a smile and then his lips descend. Kissing Ryder, feeling the way he loves me so thoroughly, always makes me melt. And tonight—right here, right now—I’m utterly liquefied.
“Thank you,” I whisper, a little breathless as I cup his stubbled face.
“For what?” he asks, voice husky.
“For seeing the real me.” I place a hand against his heart. “And for teaching me to trust again.”
He answers me with another soul-searing kiss, and I push up onto my toes, responding eagerly. Sliding my fingers through his wild waves.
Not long ago, I thought I’d lost my identity, the very essence of who I am. But now I know that’s not true. Delaney Marquette was never gone. She was just waiting for a reason to reclaim herself. And with the help of her forever man, she’s back.
And she couldn’t be happier or more in love.
