Stolen Skye (Book One, The Skye Trilogy) (28 page)

Ari nodded in response.
I considered how very casually and quickly he had done something that sounded rather complicated. I supposed that my understanding of their ability was probably grossly under-formed.

Ari continued, “So, our challenges are the security guards and the glass break sensors.
I wasn’t sure how we were going to address either until I overheard one fact that changed everything. The Apollo Gallery is one of only two with large windows overlooking the main grounds of the Louvre. Just prior to midnight at the gala, all guests will be escorted outside to watch an impressive fireworks show as a conclusion to the evening. The gallery will start emptying around 11:30 PM; only security will remain inside by midnight. Security has realized that fireworks that close to the gallery will set off every glass break sensor. At midnight, for fifteen minutes, they are going to have to turn them off and rely solely on armed guards, which is still significant protection. But, the unalarmed windows and cases give us an advantage.”

Finn interjected after seeing my puzzled expression. “Brinks will blind the security camera facing the gallery doors and Raven and I go in, guns blazing,” he laughed.
The knock at the door stopped me from arguing as Ari got up to admit our dinner.

Once we were alone again, I asked, “Guns?”
I felt my nervousness on the rise.

Finn shook his head with a smile.
“This particular gun isn’t lethal, but it is painful. It’s not that different from a Taser, but more advanced. It’s a Nanosecond Electrical Pulse Weapon. It’s wireless and highly effective. Shoots like a gun and the pulse hits like a bullet, incapacitating the target for a minimum of ten minutes.”

“So, your window of opportunity went from fifteen minutes to ten?”
I tried to show I was keeping up.

Ari leaned forward.
“Actually, it is smaller than that. In addition to the guards in the gallery and the one posted at the door, there is a main guard that makes his rounds and checks in via radio every five minutes to the security wing. The gallery with the guards inside it will be locked from the outside once it is clear of guests. The main guard on his rounds will have the key to the iron doors and will have to be taken out first. So, technically we have five minutes until they send someone to find him when he doesn’t respond to his call.”

“How do you get the special gun past security and into the Louvre?”
I asked, remembering the security measures taken at Buckingham Palace.

Brinks replied, “It’s already there.
The museum curator showed it to Alex. It’s not even available for sale yet. The curator is close friends with the Minister of Defense for France and has acquired it through military channels. Ever since the Modern Art Museum in Paris was robbed earlier this year, he’s been very jittery. The curator there was shot as well as some guards. Security will not allow him to have a real gun within the Louvre for safety purposes, but this is truly the next best thing. We’re simply going to take it from his office.

“Just before midnight, Raven takes the keycard from the Curator and swipes the security pad.
After the roaming security guard locks the iron gates, we find him and shoot him, taking his key, and then shoot the others. We have to be close, but luckily the iron doors of the gallery have all that scrollwork, we can shoot through it.”

“What about the rest of the security team and the cameras?” I asked, becoming increasingly more nervous every time he said “shoot”.

Brinks scarfed down his hamburger and said, “For those five minutes, we freeze the frame of the one guard at the entrance. The security team won’t know anything is amiss until they can’t reach the roaming guard. There are no cameras in the adjacent hall as it is mainly professional space and toilets until you reach the Grand Gallery, where most of the surveillance is focused.”

“So, how do you get out?”
I asked to everyone.

Finn took my hand to calm me.
“We break the glass and take the crown. Raven takes the stairs and walks out onto the grounds to enjoy the fireworks. I go out the back window in the gallery, behind where the British collection is encased, with the crown.” He said it with a shrug of his shoulders.

Bounce added,
“The van we are stealing tonight gets wrapped starting tomorrow to look like the other catering vans that will be parked underground. I pull it out of the garage and around to the side of the building, below the gallery window Finn will come out of, to collect the bar in the courtyard after the fireworks show. Of course, I collect Raven and Finn instead and we’re off. I drop Finn off at the motorcycle two blocks away and he takes the crown to Alex.”

Ari added, “Evelyn and I return to the hotel as normal after the fireworks, and I will meet Alex
and Finn for the pass off.”

“Where will they recover it from?” I asked.

“Finn and I will return it Alex, and he will place it back into the exhibit less than twenty-four hours after it disappeared.”

Bounce placed her napkin on her empty plate.
“Brinks and I best be going. That van isn’t going to steal itself.”

Brinks nodded in agreement, adding, “I have the key to the van in my pocket and the scrambler for the gate alarm.
We should be good to go.”

“What about security cameras?”
Ari looked to both of them to make sure they had thought of everything.

“No, it’s a low budget operation.
Just the alarm and barbed wire, we should be in and out in five,” Bounce responded. Ari considered what she said for a moment.

“Take Finn with you, just in case.”
He pointed to Finn and looked up at the three of them for a response.

“I really think we are fine with two,” Bounce countered.
Finn nodded once to Ari in agreement.

“Three is better,” Ari stated.
Bounce and Brinks accepted the decision. “Make sure you take the Metro. No cabs. Stop a couple blocks away.”

“Um, do you think this is my first rodeo, Boss?”
Bounce responded.

Ari laughed and shook his head.
“No, I’m being overly careful. Forgive me. I have no doubts in your ability. I’ve just had my attention on other things. I’m sure you’ve thought of everything, but Finn gives you some leverage if you need it. Call me after.” At that, we got up and started making our way back to our rooms. With my stomach full of fear and a club sandwich, I was feeling much less sexy than I had earlier. I also realized Finn was now engaged elsewhere thanks to Ari’s request. I watched him walk off toward his room with Bounce and Brinks.

Once alone in my room, I stared out the window, trying to calm my nerves.
What if something went wrong and all three of them went to jail? What if we all went to jail on New Year’s Day? After a few minutes of very negative thought, there was a knock on my door.

I greeted Finn and his smile warmly.
“I was thinking it might be you.”

“We might be late getting back.”

“Oh right, sure. Please be careful tonight. A van from the nineties isn’t worth going to jail for.”

“Evelyn, your lack of faith is shocking.
Come here.” He put his strong arms around my waist and tried to soothe me with a kiss. After a minute, he pulled away and smiled reassuringly. “Sleep well and I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. I’ll stop by your room at 7:30 AM; there is something I want to show you. Wear sneakers.” I nodded in agreement, not yet fully committed to the idea. He squinted at my reaction, cocking his head and said, “You don’t look excited… too early?”

“No, I’m fine.
Good luck with the van. See you at 7:30 AM. But, can you call my room and just let me know when you get back. I’ll assume you’re all in handcuffs otherwise.”

“Of course
. But please remember, I started doing this at fourteen. I’m pretty good at it.” He bent to kiss me goodbye again before closing the door. The new lingerie would just have to wait for another night. I took off everything and pulled on an old T-shirt. I crawled into bed, convinced it would be hours before I could fall asleep.

At some point I was going to have to analyze my relationship with Finn, but, like Ari had said, it was hard to see past New Year’s Eve.
As I felt myself relax, I wished he was there to stroke my back and kiss me softly like before. In that fact alone, I supposed, was my answer. Whether it was a good idea or not, I truly cared for Finn. If you factored in the giddiness I felt at seeing him and the burning desire he so easily ignited within me, it seemed I was in much deeper than I was willing to admit.

I woke warm and breathing heavily, I assumed from a dream.
I looked through narrowed eyes to the windows. No light was leaking through the edges of the curtains. A quick glance to the clock told me it was just after 3 AM. I felt a hand pass over my hip to the front of my thigh as lips kissed the back of neck. Panic caused me to inhale sharply, but quickly I recognized the hands, I just didn’t know how it could be possible that they were there.

Finn whispered against my skin as he molded himself to the back of me
. “Shhh, I didn’t want to startle you, but you asked me to let you know when I was back. I thought this might be better than a phone call.”

“I take it then, that you’ve succeeded
,” I whispered as he bit softly on my shoulder.

“Yes, van acquired.
Now, I have more important business to attend to.”

“Do I dare ask how you got into my room?”

He stopped kissing me long enough to answer, “Earlier, your key was in your pocket.
I took it when you asked me to call you and it looked like I was going to have to drag you from the bed in the morning.”

“But it’s so late.
Surely you’ll be too tired to get up.” I smiled, pretending it was only his exhaustion I was concerned with.

“It is rather late, let’s get some sleep
—- unless I can persuade you otherwise.”

Of course he could, and did.
Later, I whispered as I began to fall back asleep, “I’m glad you’re here, Finn.”

“You’ve made it impossible to be anywhere else.”
He kissed my head and brought me in closer to him, adjusting me into the bend of his arm. Surprisingly, I found myself looking forward to 7:30 AM, anxious to see his face again.

Chapter
22. A Different Kiss

I woke to the smell of coffee, a good sign.
Then, I remembered that meant it must be extraordinarily early and I opened one eye to verify — 7:15 AM and no light outside. I always loved the winter time, late sunrise and early sunset. That usually meant more sleep on my days off. I opened the other eye and saw Finn, fully dressed, looking through my clothes. I rose up against the pillows.

“Good morning, sleepy head.
I’ve placed your sneakers and socks at the side of the bed. Here is a pair of sweat pants and a top. And, I thought you might wear these knickers under it all.” He held up my new lingerie with a devilish smile.

“I’m not sure they will be comfortable to run in, if that’s what we’re doing.”
I brushed my mess of hair out of my face to gain some semblance of attractiveness. He looked fresh and energetic in a red, fitted running shirt and gray sweat pants.

“Quite right, very practical of you.
We can run if you like, but a brisk walk is fine. I am taking you to your favorite place in Paris at your favorite time of day.”

“Now I know you must have confused me with someone else.
Sunrise has never been my favorite time of day. I am very much a sunset kind of girl.” I dragged myself out of bed and searched for my nightshirt, which he had hung on the door hook, forcing me to parade naked through the room. Once I got close to him, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me warmly. He tasted like toothpaste and smelled of milled French soap.

“Did you shower?”

“Yes. Would you like to? We have some time.”

“No, I’ll
just be a mess again shortly. Did you go to your room?”

“Yes
. You know, you sleep like the dead. I’ve come in that door twice this morning and you never even flinched.”

“Well, I was awoken in the middle of the night and given a workout, I was probably exhausted.”

“Yes, and what a workout it was. A vision I’ll cherish until my deathbed.” He pulled me tighter to him as his hands drifted down my back. With a kiss, he said, “Get your clothes on then, and let’s go.” He slapped my butt as I padded off toward the bathroom to freshen up.

Shortly, we were out of the hotel in the early winter morning, with Finn expertly guiding us through the streets.
Off to the east, light was beginning to burst into the cloudless sky as we made our way to the River Seine.

“It’s beautiful here.”
I looked out onto Paris, feeling very sorry that I didn’t have better words to describe it. The rose colored light from the lampposts still illuminated the streets and everything looked soft and peaceful. The river lumbered quietly, dividing the two banks of the city. There was some traffic, but the roar of Paris life was, for the moment, silenced.

“Just wait a half hour more, you’ll see.”
Finn took my hand as we continued down the bank of the Seine. Our trek was periodically interrupted by me pulling him to a stop and pointing out different sites, as if it were my first time seeing them. Sadly, I knew I had done all of this before, but had no recollection of it.

Soon
, we veered from the river and walked up a stone incline toward one of the bridges. Once we reached the top, I gasped at the sight. It had to be our destination. Notre Dame stood before us, gray and medieval against the flaming pink sky. Finn turned to me and watched my face as I took in the view. I didn’t remember visiting it before, but I saw instantly why I would have done so repeatedly.

Finn smiled and put his arm around me, “Pretty amazing, isn’t she?”
I nodded in agreement. We walked closer and admired the gothic architecture, the carved statues and gargoyles, the sheer size of it. “You liked coming here at dawn. Paris is a pink city, to be sure, but it is never truer than at sunrise. You used to say that with it quiet on the streets, you could imagine Quasimodo and the Gypsy, Esmeralda, sharing a kiss before the mob stormed the church.”

“I always loved that story as a child.
I haven’t thought of it in years. Well, that I remember.” I smiled up at him.

“Come with me.”
He took my hand and led me past the front of the cathedral and around the corner on the Rue de Cloitre. He stopped us before a small gargoyle on the exterior wall. “It’s Quasimodo himself.” I stepped closer and recognized the abnormal features of the carved head. “Would you like to go inside? The towers aren’t open, but you can see the chapel.” I agreed.

We walked over the threshold and across the light and dark stone diamonds that line
d the floor. Soft light was beginning to shine through the stained glass windows. The high arched ceilings and tall candelabras marked the long, center aisle towards the altar. The quiet beauty of the chapel was moving. I saw Finn cross himself out of the corner of my eye.

We walked silently, taking in the view.
It was humbling to stand in a place that had been holy ground for close to a thousand years. As we turned to leave, I noticed a young couple tucked behind one of the large columns. The woman leaned in and kissed the man passionately once before they moved on to admire another statue. I stopped walking as Finn moved ahead. It took a few seconds, and then the full memory rushed in as if I had stepped back in time.

In a darkened corner of Notre Dame, I had kissed Ari.
The thought of it had burned within me all that morning, and after he pointed out the Virgin Mary portal, I had pulled him to me, unable to deny myself any longer. Surprise had been his first response, but his lips yielded to mine and then he kissed me back, pinning me against a column. After a moment, he ended it, gently taking my arms from around his neck and stepping away. The look of regret on Ari’s face was haunting in my memory. I didn’t recall how we had wound up alone at the cathedral together, but I remembered my frustration and embarrassment as he left me there without a word.

Finn saw me lagging and came to collect me.
“Are you tiring on me now? Come on, let’s get some coffee.” He took my hand and tugged me behind him. I worked my mind while Finn’s back was to me, trying to make sense of the past kiss with Ari and the feelings around it. There had been both passion and dismissal from him. I had been crushed as I watched him stride through the cathedral door, leaving me behind.

I went back to my memory of my birthday wish for him to kiss me over the same Paris trip.
The only answer was that somehow, years ago, I had fallen for Ari and he hadn’t felt the same.

It wasn’t until after the Bruges trip that Finn had kissed me, he said.
Was it possible that I had fallen for Ari first? Perhaps, due to his lack of interest in me, I may have become more and more drawn to Finn. The thought of coming on to Ari was humiliating, and I tried my best to tuck it back into the forgotten parts of my brain. However, the kiss was there, burning in the forefront, while I tried to enjoy my coffee and listen to Finn during our walk back to the hotel.

I thought back to everything I had learned and recalled about Ari.
He had said there was nothing between us. I had looked into his eyes feeling fear and desperation. I had wanted him, badly, when I made my wish. He’d left me alone for years, never admitting my existence. He’d been my friend. These things didn’t add up. There was something I was missing when it came to him, but I had no idea how to uncover the truth. Without wanting to cause myself any humiliation or add another distraction for Finn right before a major heist, I decided to keep my recollection of the kiss a secret. Surely Ari was being a gentleman by omitting the fact that it happened from his description of our relationship. I was thankful for it.

Once back at the hotel, I kissed Finn goodbye and returned to my room to shower.
He was to meet up with Brinks and Bounce in an hour. After dressing for the day, I sat quietly by my window and considered the last month of my life. At a company where I was celebrated for my accomplishments, I’d been let go. On the same day, I crossed the path of a friend I had completely forgotten. My new relationship with a band of thieves was stronger than with my old classmates. Passion, it seems, had found me twice in my life, whereas before I wondered if it ever truly would. Apparently, Ari had given me a taste of unrequited love, which I was content to not remember more of.

I couldn’t blame myself for finding Ari attractive before; they had all told me how he took care of me.
That, coupled with his undeniable appeal, would be dangerous for any young girl. There was no reason to think I would have been immune to him. But it was easy to see why I later sparked to Finn. Once I got over his past, I’m sure there wasn’t much else to keep me away from him. Had I not gone back to Boston for a visit, it sounds like we would have taken that trip to Italy together and I’m sure that would have been all it took for us to start a more serious romance.

There were still blank spots in my memory, but I felt like I had the framework for those lost years.
It was calming. As I sipped my coffee, I thought about what the future might look like for me. Could I love Finn? Did I already? What would a long term relationship look like for us? Perhaps all of us working together as Purveyors would really give him a chance for a more stable existence. I didn’t want too stable, apparently I never had. I thought that if we could just get through the next few days successfully, everything after that would be much easier.

My hotel room phone rang.
I answered and unexpectedly heard Jasper’s voice. “Evy, how are you? I am so glad I got a hold of you, it is excruciatingly early here and I’m on my way to the gym, but I had to call.”

“Hi Jasper.
All is well here. We are just having some meetings, buying things. Typical acquisitions stuff.” I wished I had worked on a more sophisticated story, but I had been caught off guard.

“How is Mr. Cameron?
Still fine as the day is long?”

“Yes, he’s well.
He’s ring shopping for his fiancé,” I added, reminding him there was nothing between us.

“Ugh, he is too gorgeous to be married.
It simply can’t happen. Listen, he is part of the reason I’m calling. You know what a freak of nature I am with regards to remembering guests? While I was driving you to the airport, I kept trying to place him. Yesterday, I searched our records. Evy, he stayed at our hotel two years ago. Isn’t that bizarre? And, I remembered him. Really, I should be in the F.B.I.” Jasper continued to be awed by himself as I processed the information.

“Did he stay alone?”
I wasn’t sure why that was important to me.

“Yes, he stayed for one night and I registered him as a guest and printed his folio upon departure.
No other charges, just the room.”

“Well, I have to ask him if he enjoyed his stay.
You really are a gift to hospitality. How is everything else going? Nathan treating you okay?” I tried to make small talk as I went over Ari’s stay in my head. Jasper told me more about his trying work environment and his New Year’s Eve plans. After a few more minutes, he had arrived at the gym and I promised to call him once I was in Scotland. We hung up the phone and I lay back on the bed.

What possible reason would Ari have for visiting Newport?
Why had he not mentioned he had been there before? Why when it came to Ari did I have so many questions? Despite my embarrassment over my apparent past infatuation, I was going to have to talk to him. Maybe none of the past mattered anymore, but if I was the reason he was in Newport, I simply had to know. I went to his room and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Deflated, I returned to my own room and there was Raven, sitting on my bed, admiring my necklace from Harrods.

“Good morning, Evelyn.
It is a very pretty necklace, but a little plain for my taste.”

“Thank you.
How is it that you happen to be here, holding it?”

“Ari told me we needed to get you a dress and that you’d be wearing this necklace.
I had to have a closer look.”

“Could that have waited until I was actually in the room?”
I put my hands on my hips for emphasis.

“Aye, you’re so funny when you’re annoyed.”

“How did you get in anyway? I don’t understand how you all pick these locks.”

“Right now, there is a cleaning woman searching frantically for her master key, I imagine.
We can drop it in the elevator on our way to the lobby.” She placed the necklace back in the box and under my bras in the top drawer. I was going to need to find a better place to hide my things.

Shortly, we were at a very elegant
dress shop. In the time it took me to browse one rack, Raven returned to me with six dresses in my size to try on.

“I was told to keep it black, elegant
, and understated. These seem frumpy enough.” She held a black strapless sheath up to me and squinted.

“Thank you,” I said with a touch of sarcasm.
In the end, I selected a Calvin Klein full length dress in black satin with a deep V neck and wide straps. I wouldn’t have to buy another new bra and it would highlight the necklace well. It was also quite appealing on me. I ignored Raven’s pursed lips as she assessed me in the dressing room.