"No, you don't," Evan said. "Because it won't just come back to Cole. It'll come back to Jahn. It will ruin his business, his reputation, and the foundation. Not to mention biting me and Tyler on the ass, too."
"So what do you want to do?"
"We want your notebook," he said simply. "And then we'll just switch them back."
"All right," I said. "How can I help?"
He shook his head. "I told you. By giving us the notebook."
"And then?"
"No," he said. "No way. That is exactly the kind of thing that your uncle didn't want you to do. That is exactly the kind of shit he wanted you away from."
"I don't think so," I said. I crawled on the bed toward him and pressed my hand to his chest. "I think he wanted me in on it."
Evan cocked his head, and I could tell from his expression that he was trying to decide if I was bullshitting him. "Why do you think that?"
"Because of the timing of his will," I said. "Because of the note he left you," I added. "And because he left me the facsimile copy. Not the original."
Evan's eyes narrowed, and I knew I had his attention. "You think he was giving you his blessing with that note," I said, "but I think it was more than that. I think the note and the bequest together were his way of saying we'd make a good team."
"Keep going," Evan said. I started to lean back and take my hand off his chest, but he pulled me back, then gently shook his head. "Stay," he said. "And talk."
I moved to his side and took his hand. "Don't you get it? Jahn knew me better than anyone--and now that you've told me what he was into, I'm even more certain that I'm right about this. He expected us to work together. He wanted us to."
"Maybe," Evan conceded.
"And there's an even a bigger reason to agree to let me help," I pressed.
"What's that?"
"Because if this really is the last thing keeping you from being fully legitimate--from getting out of that damned FBI spotlight--then I want to help. It matters to me, Evan. It matters a lot. Please. Please don't say no."
"Baby," he said, lifting my fingertips to his lips. "Could I ever say no to you?"
"No fucking way," Cole said. "I mean, no offense, baby girl, but no fucking way."
I was sitting beside Evan on the leather couch. Now, I took his hand, searching for solidarity, and was rewarded when he squeezed back. We were back in my condo, Evan and I having spent the morning having breakfast with Ivy and then playing four rounds of Candy Land. Evan had called the others from the road and told them to meet us. That we had a lot to talk about.
"Yes, fucking way," I said, making Cole roll his eyes. "And guess what? I moved the manuscript to a safe deposit box at HJH&A this morning. So unless I'm part of this, there isn't going to be any this. Get it?"
Tyler looked at Evan. "What the fuck?"
"What are you looking at me for? Jahn left her the manuscript, not me. Unless you expect me to tie her down, I can't really keep her from moving it." He turned to me with a devious grin. "Then again, that wouldn't have been such a bad plan."
I smacked him even as Tyler groaned.
"Jesus, Evan. She's like my little sister. Can we not go there?"
Evan and I both laughed, but Evan nodded with gentlemanly agreement. "We can not go there," he agreed, looking firmly at Tyler and Cole. Then he cocked his head deliberately toward me. "Whether we go there is another question altogether."
Tyler rolled his eyes, but Cole just laughed.
"Come on, guys," I said, feeling a bit like they'd reverted back to their formative high school years. "This isn't negotiable. Evan's already tried to talk me out of it and he failed. He and I are doing this thing. The only reason you two are here with us is to decide if you're going to be in on it, as well." I flashed a sweet smile. "Get it?"
Tyler shot a glance toward Evan. "You sure you want her? She's a downright pain in the ass."
I bit back a grin. Tyler, at least, had come over to my way of thinking.
"I want her," Evan said. "On this job, and after."
"Big one-eighty for you, my man," Cole said. "Weren't you the one trying to stay the hell away so you wouldn't sully her with your tainted soul?"
Evan shot him the finger.
"Maybe he likes me sullied," I said, and they all three burst out laughing. "Look," I added, before Tyler and Cole could add anything to the mix, "I know you're just looking out for me, but nothing is going to go wrong. I'm going to do whatever it takes to pull this off. So don't look at me like I'm a liability. I'm not. I'm your best goddamn asset, because I can get around your biggest problem. I can get you access to the forgery."
I glanced over at Evan who was looking at me with pride, then back to Cole and Tyler. After a second, Tyler folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair with his legs out in front of him. "I'm not saying yes, but I'll listen to what you have to say."
As far as I was concerned, that really was a yes. I had no intention of giving them the notebook if I wasn't in on the job. But I wanted them on board with having me on the team. If they were afraid I'd screw it up, then they'd be sloppy. We all would. And then it wouldn't be a rush I'd be feeling, but full-fledged fear.
"Okay," I said, standing up and feeling as nervous as if I was auditioning for the lead in the school play. "Evan ran me through what you guys already talked about this morning. I know that Neely keeps the manuscript in a case in the private gallery on the top floor of his Winnetka house. I know that the case is locked with a regular, old-fashioned key so that we can't rely on hacking an electronic lock. And I know that other than the lock, the case doesn't have any additional security. So if we can get it open and switch the manuscripts, we're golden."
I looked at them all to see if I'd forgotten anything. Cole nodded at me to continue.
"It's the gallery itself that's the problem. The Creature Notebook is only one of dozens of valuable artifacts that Neely owns, and he keeps them all locked up tight in a nearly impenetrable gallery."
"It wouldn't be impenetrable if we had more time," Tyler said. "I've got the blueprints and technical specs. I know I could figure a way past his security system."
"But we don't have time," Evan said. "The transfer is scheduled for two weeks from now. A job of that magnitude would need at least three months of planning."
"So what we need is a way to get Neely to turn off security for us," I said. "And I have it."
"I'm listening," Cole said.
"Tomorrow morning, Neely is going to get a call from Esther Martin at the Jahn Foundation, telling him that we have a new and exciting plan for the gala. Because we've had so much interest from so many of Jahn's friends, we've decided to make it a traveling event. We'll have six locations with six specialty foods. The foundation will provide luxury coaches to move the guests from stop to stop. We want him to be first on the list with cocktails and artisan cheeses."
"I'm impressed," Tyler said. "Keep going."
I relished the little flutter of pride, along with the way Evan squeezed my hand reassuringly. "We can't wait to do the switch at the actual event, since that's after the donations are shipped off to Belgium. So we're going to arrange a walk-through. Esther is going to tell him that her assistant, me, will be contacting him to arrange a time to come view the space to make sure it's big enough for the expected crowds, to take photos for insurance purposes, and all the rest of it. All of that's true. What Esther and Neely won't know is that we'll use that walk-through to do the switch. We get the facsimile notebook back, the foundation gets an awesome event, and everyone is happy."
"And this was your idea?" Tyler asked, looking at me, his expression unreadable.
"Um, yeah."
Tyler looked to Cole, who nodded. Then he looked back at me. "Damn good work, kid. Seriously, that's damn good work."
I felt the smile bloom on my face.
"I told you," Evan said. "She's an asset. Now let's focus on some of the details."
"The lock, for one," Cole said. "We're not going
to have much time. Picking it isn't going to work."
"No," Evan agreed. He looked at Tyler. "We need the key."
Tyler smiled, wide and devilish. "I'm guessing there's a woman involved?"
"You're guessing right. Neely keeps the key in his bedside table. Renee is the maid who works that room. I've got details for you," he added, pulling an envelope from his briefcase and passing it to Tyler. "Sweep her off her feet and do it fast. Get imprints and we'll get a copy made."
"I love my job," Tyler said with such a wicked grin I had to laugh.
"And how are we doing the switch?" Cole asked. "Angie's been brilliant so far, but that's a little too much to ask of her."
"Which is why you'll be doing it," Evan said. "And we're all going in."
"Not buying it," Tyler said. "Why the hell would we all be there?"
"Because BAS Security is going to donate its services to the foundation for the gala," I said, referring to the company that Evan had told me about. The three of them owned it--Black, August, Sharp--and for the most part, its operation was legitimate. But when the guys needed any sort of surveillance or hacking into an electronic system, they used the BAS resources. "It makes sense," I continued. "Everyone knows how close you all were to Jahn. It's the perfect cover. And it gets you into Neely's security room."
"We'll set it up so that for the duration of the event their security cams are feeding to our handhelds. And when we upload the software to accomplish that, we'll loop the security feed for thirty seconds. We can only manage thirty, though," Evan said, looking at Cole. "Enough time?"
"If I'm all clear for those thirty," he said.
"You will be. Angie will be on Neely, keeping him occupied talking cocktails. Tyler will be between Neely and Cole, adding additional cover as needed. Cole, you just have to make the switch. Get the notebook in and on the right page. Get the facsimile back out and stowed in your bag. And that's it. We're done. We're safe. And so is Jahn's reputation." He looked at all three of us in turn. "Any questions?"
There were none.
"Let us know when the walk-through is confirmed," Tyler said. He glanced at his watch, then stood up. "I'd love to stay, but I have a date with a maid."
"I'll get you set up to make the imprint," Cole said, then turned to me. "As for you, for god's sake, get the manuscript back."
I grinned, then slid open the drawer in the living room coffee table. I reached in, then pulled out the manuscript, now safe in a clear archival box. "I may have told you guys one tiny little fib," I said, and was relieved when they all three laughed.
We followed them to the door.
"Coming with?" Tyler asked Evan.
"Hell no," Evan said, pulling me close. "She did good. I'm going to stay here and make sure she feels fully appreciated."
I felt my cheeks burn, but Tyler and Cole both just grinned.
"And how exactly are you going to show your appreciation?" I asked, as soon as we were in the condo alone.
"I thought I would fuck you," he said.
"Oh. I--good plan."
"But not right away," he continued, his voice rough. "First I have to make sure you want it."
I licked my lips. I already wanted it, but I kept my mouth shut. I wanted to hear exactly what he had in mind.
"I'm going to tie you up, Lina. I'm going to tie your wrists together and use a single cord to bind them in place. Do you know why I want a single cord instead of stretching your arms wide?"
I shook my head, and shifted my weight from one foot to the other, trying to ease the building pressure between my legs.
"So I can have you on your back and close my mouth over your breasts. So I can kiss you and suckle you and trail kisses all the way down to your sweet, slick cunt."
I swallowed. I think I may have moaned.
"And then I can flip you over, pivoting your body on that one point, and I can spank your ass until you beg me to fuck you, and then I can sink deep into you from behind, filling you until you think you can't take any more, and then going even deeper." He leaned closer, then nipped playfully at my earlobe before whispering. "So tell me, sweetheart. Does that sounds like a good way to show my appreciation?"
"Yes," I said, my voice breathy with desire. My cunt was already throbbing, and my nipples were painfully tight behind the tank I wore. "Yes, please."
"Then what are we waiting for?" he asked, as he took my hand, then bent to pick up his briefcase.
I expected him to lead me to the bedroom, but he headed for the spiral staircase. "Evan?"
"Hush," he said, and I fell back into silence, trusting that whatever he had planned would be something I wanted.
When we reached the patio, he led me to the edge. Each pane of glass was held in place between iron bars topped with a decorative finial. "Here," he said, moving a potted plant to give me room. "Take off your clothes."
I met his eyes, wanting to be as bold as he was. Needing him to know just how much I wanted this, too. This moment. This man. And, yes, the adventure to come.
With slow deliberation, I stripped off my shirt, my fingers brushing over my skin before letting it drop to the ground. I removed my bra next, but not before trailing my fingers lightly over the swell of my breasts above the line of the cups.
I licked my lips and kept my eyes on Evan's face. He looked like a man keeping himself in check, and when I glanced down and saw that his hands were clenched at his sides, I couldn't help but feel immense satisfaction knowing how much he was having to fight simply so he wouldn't reach out and touch me. Not yet, anyway.
I moved next to the bra clasp, unfastening it slowly, then using both hands to push the cups off my breasts. I shrugged out of the straps, but didn't let it fall to the ground. Instead, I let it dangle by a strap over one crooked forefinger.
"Jesus, Lina," he said.
I just smiled, thoroughly enjoying myself as I flipped it to him, satisfied when he caught it and held it tight in his hand. I rubbed my own hands over my breasts, then closed my eyes and gently gave my nipples a tug as I imagined it was Evan's hands upon me, not mine. A sizzling cord of desire shot from my breasts down to my cunt, now hot and wet with desire.
I heard a moan and knew it came from me. I'd intended to get him all worked up--to turn the tables and hold control in my hands. Yet here I was, desperate for his touch. So hot I would probably come if he just leaned forward and whispered in my ear.
So much for my grand plan.
Then again, I had no complaints about the way this was working out. He looked just as desperate as I felt, and with a smug smile of satisfaction, I moved on to my jeans, slowly working open the fly, one button at a time. They were skinny jeans, and since I wasn't actually skinny, I have to do a serious shimmy to get out of them, and I took the opportunity to put on a little show for Evan's benefit.
I was already in bare feet, and I finally worked the jeans all the way down and toed them off, then stood in front of him in just my thong--a particularly sexy pair as I'd started paying attention to my undies since Evan had come into my life--and my bed.
I met and held his eyes, then slid my finger under the thong's band and started to tug the panties down.
"No," he said, his firm word halting my hand. "That's for me." He moved closer, the air between us humming as it always did when we were together. "Arms up," he said, "and stand here."
I complied, and he let out a low, slow whisper. "Good god, Lina. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"
"I only care about how beautiful I am to you."
"Very," he said. "Exceptionally." He bent over to tug something from his briefcase, and when he stood, I saw that it was a strand of rope. He fastened it around my wrists, then wrapped that around the finial above me. "I'm not binding your legs," he said. "But I expect you to keep your feet where I tell you."
I nod. "All right."
"Wider," he said, and I spread my legs wider. "Beautiful." He slid his hand down my pubic bone, gliding over the scrap of material that was
now my only piece of clothing.
"Keep your feet where they are," he ordered. "Don't move until I tell you to."
I nodded, then closed my eyes as he stepped closer, his fingers stroking my body. Teasing me with light caresses. Playing with my breasts, with my lips, with my fingers. And then stroking my inner thighs, the sensation so wildly sensual that I had no choice but to squirm--and had to force myself not to let my feet move.
"Turn around," he said, and I complied. "Keep your eyes open. I want you to look at the city while I touch you. I want you to see just how high we are as I make you soar." He pressed up behind me, and though he was still in slacks, I could feel his erection against my lower back. Then his hand stroking down--and then the violent rip as he yanked the panties off me.
My immediate reaction was to draw my arms down and cover myself, but I couldn't. I was tied to the finial. Naked and bound, with Evan behind me, whispering in my ear. "Do you know what this is about?" he said. "Why I want you like this? What I want to do and why I want to do it?"
"I--tell me."
"Control," he said. "You did amazing today. You had a plan, you got what you wanted. You turned the tables on Cole and Tyler. And in some ways even on me." He bent closer, so that his lips brushed the back of my ear when he spoke. "That's fine for the world, baby. But when we're alone, you're mine. If you take control it's because I give it to you. Do you understand?"
I nodded. I was breathless at his words. My pulse kicking up, my cunt throbbing. This was it; this was what I wanted. To surrender to pleasure. To surrender to a man that I trusted and to know with absolute, unerring certainty that he would satisfy me.
"We're a unit," he said. "A team. You need the rush, and I'm desperate to give it to you. You want to surrender, and I am here to catch you."
I gasped, the clarity of his words surprising me. "How did you know?"
"I see you, Lina. I've always seen you."
"Will you--"
"What?"
"Never mind." I'd been going to ask if he would touch me. But I knew that he would, and as I waited my nipples peaked and my cunt throbbed. I was wet and wanting and the building need was delicious. The explosion, when it came, would knock me into the heavens.
He was behind me, but I heard the rustle of clothes as he stripped. Then I felt the tease of his erection against my rear. His hands curved over the globes of my rear, and his fingers slipped down, then eased inside me before sliding back up, wet with my own desire, to press against the tight muscle of my ass.