Thief of Hearts (32 page)

Three months later.

Stu

“Be honest. How do I look?”

Lee sat on the sofa finishing off a bacon sandwich when I came out of my bedroom. He paused mid-chew, looked me up and down, smirked, then swallowed.

Before he could answer Trevor cut in. “You look hot, bruv. A real sexy beast. Rawr.”

“Fuck off,” I said, scowling and returning my attention to Lee. Unlike Trev, I knew I could trust him to give me a straight answer. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Why does it matter? Isn’t everyone gonna be wearing the same getup?”

“Don’t they wear that shit in
Harry Potter
?” Liam piped in.

I shrugged. “Fuck if I know. Feels like a dress.”

“They’re called
graduation robes
,” said Trev, in a fake haughty voice as he produced the stupid hat I refused to put on. “And you need to wear this, too. It’s traditional.”

“Nope. Not happening. I draw the line at the dress.”

Trev sighed. “Again, it’s not a dress. And you need to get used to wearing it, because I expect you to have a doctorate by the time you’re forty. I wanna be able to go around bragging to everyone that my brother’s a doctor.”

“Unless it’s a medical doctor, it doesn’t count,” said Lee.

Trev’s phone rang, interrupting our conversation. He glanced at the screen, a little secretive smile on his mouth before he answered, “Hey ReyRey, how’s it hanging?”

I should’ve known. Trevor’s special little non-girlfriend best friend was the only one who could make him smile like that. Like the cat-that-got-the-cream-who-knew-your-darkest-secret-and-saw-you-naked-and-discovered-your-Internet-search-history all rolled up into one single expression of smug fuck.

“You love it.” A pause. “Quit complaining, we both know you love it.” A chuckle. “Okay fine.” Silence. “Yeah, the graduation’s at two. Then we’re all heading out for dinner. You coming?” Another pause. “Okay, great. See you then. Smooches!”

Liam screwed up his face while Trev slid his phone back in his pocket. “Smooches? Who are you, Paris Hilton?”

“I’m my own special flavour of exceptional,” Trev shot back. “Don’t be jealous.”

Liam gave him the finger.

“When are you ever gonna stop stringing that girl along?” I asked, frowning.

“Yeah,” Lee added, “because you’re not fooling none of us with the whole best buds story. I’ve seen you looking at her tits. A man doesn’t look at tits like that and think,
now there’s a girl I want to be
friends
with.”

“Oh, you can all piss off, you big bunch of cynical arsebags,” Trev replied snootily. “I don’t have to explain our special friendship to anyone.” There was a pause and then a glint came into his eye. “But if you must know, that’s exactly what I think when I look at tits. I’d much rather be friends with someone with a fantastic rack than some smelly . . . penis-haver.”

“Penis-haver?” Lee chuckled. “Now I’ve heard it all.”

“It’s a word,” Trev went on. “All the cool kids are using it.”

I left them to their bickering and went back inside my room. Fuck, I was nervous. Today the college was holding a small graduation ceremony for a few of the adult education classes. I was gonna have to get up on a stage and collect a certificate and shake some posh bloke’s hand. It felt surreal to think that less than a year ago I was sitting in a prison cell, just trying to survive and get through one day at a time. I didn’t see a future for myself other than one that involved crime. Then I met Andrea and everything changed. She made me want things. Made me want to be a better person, achieve something real. Now I couldn’t imagine a world without her in it.
How’d I get so fucking lucky?

“You almost ready to make a move?” Lee called from the living room. “We need to get going.”

“Yeah, be out in a sec.”

I took one final breath then headed out. Andrea was already at the college helping get the place ready. I was hoping to steal a minute alone with her before the ceremony started. She was my soft place, and today I was in serious need of the calm she gave me. All it took was one touch, a tender look.

When we arrived, Lee and the others went to find seats while I went to search for Andrea. On the way I bumped into a bunch of my classmates, and yeah, like Lee said, they were all wearing the same robes as me. At least we were in this together.

“Well, would you look who it is,” said Mary. “Old cranky drawers himself. You look like you’d rather be having an ingrown toenail removed.”

“Ugh, nice visual,” Susan complained.

“What? I’m pleased as fucking punch to be here,” I said with a grin. “I love dressing up like a twat and parading myself in front of everyone’s nearest and dearest.”

“It’s not about the dressing up,” Kian interjected. “It’s about celebrating our achievement, and I for one am proud of all of us. Fuck! We’ve passed our exams and we’re getting our diplomas, even if we do have to wear these weird dresses. Bullshit!”

I chuckled loudly and gave his hair a ruffle. What could I say? I liked the kid’s optimism, even if he did have a crush on my woman. I knew he was harmless. “I’m glad I’m not the only who feels like they’re in drag.”

He held his hands out. “Hey, it’s the name of the game.”

I told them all I’d see them later then continued down the corridor. With clipboard in hand as she went through a list, Andrea was in organisation mode. God, I loved her. She was beautiful without even trying. Her hair hung in long waves down her back, and I had a vision of weaving it around my fist, tugging her neck to the side so I could get a taste. She wore some kind of navy wrap dress and the little tie at the waist had me itching to pull it free. That shit was just too much of a temptation. She was so engrossed in her list that she didn’t notice me come up behind her. Letting out a small gasp when I folded my arms around her middle, she hitched a breath then sank into me.

“Hey,” I murmured and pressed a kiss just below her ear. “You look gorgeous.”

“Hey, yourself,” she said and twisted in my arms to peer up at me. “Wow, you look—”

“Ridiculous?” I provided.

She shook her head and blushed a little. “No, strangely sexy.” Pausing to run her hands down the silky fabric, she bit her lip and asked, “Is this rented?”

I nodded.

“Damn. I just had a little fantasy of you wearing it at home tonight with nothing else.”

I smirked and bent to take her earlobe in my mouth. “Dirty. I like it.”

She giggled then sighed when my hand moved over her stomach. I was seriously considering the logistics of a quickie, but then reminded myself there were too many people around. As much as I enjoyed having sex in public places, now wasn’t the time.

With a reluctant sigh I let her go and asked, “Is Alfie coming today?”

She smacked her hand to her forehead. “Oh right, I forgot to tell you. He and Jamie
finally
went on their cruise. They left for their flight early this morning.”

“The cruise they’ve been planning for the last few months? I honestly thought that was never going to happen.”

She bobbed her head. “Me too. I think they kept putting it off because Alfie’s fear of flying was getting to him. He sent a text a little while ago saying they landed safely, so he obviously got over it enough to endure the flight. At least he doesn’t have a fear of water, too. If he did we’d be waiting until 2020 for him to finally bite the bullet.”

“Well, I’m glad they went. They both deserve a break.”

In spite of offering for him to come and live at the new flat, Alfie had surprised both of us by saying no. He claimed he wanted to try going it alone for once, to be completely independent. If I was honest I thought Andrea was more stressed out about the separation than Alfie was. She loved him though, and I understood her worry because I knew exactly how she felt. I knew what it was like to be fiercely protective of your family.

We shared a look of mutual understanding before there was an announcement over the intercom that proceedings would begin in five minutes. I kissed her and then we both made our way to the function hall.

I took my place next to Kian in the second row from the stage as the ceremony started up. When they called my name I stood and went to collect my certificate. Of course, as soon as I stepped onto the stage my brothers had to make a big song and dance by cheering for me like Arsenal just won the Premiership.

“Go Stu!” Liam shouted.

“Work it, you sexy beast.” This was Trevor. Course it was. Half the people in the audience started laughing. Lee let out a rip-roaring whistle, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Bunch of nutters, but I wouldn’t change them for the world. I looked out and saw Sophie and Karla sitting next to them, both shaking their heads in dismay.

I got my diploma, shook hands with the dean of the college, then continued to the other side of the stage. Looking out, I saw Andrea standing next to the other students who hadn’t been called yet. As she looked up at me, it reminded me of the first time I saw her face. I’d been gobsmacked. Her expression was one of shock, yet she’d warmly accepted me into her classroom as if seeing a git like me was an everyday occurrence. God, she’d surprised me. Sweet, strong, passionate, real. They were the first four things I thought about her. How any male concentrated in her classes was beyond me. And as she spoke to me, with kindness and encouragement, I realised I had never met anyone like Andrea Anderson before. She was incredible. Now, her gorgeous brown eyes flicked up and she caught me looking. I grinned and held up my piece of paper. She beamed back at me.

Love you
, I mouthed. I couldn’t have done it without her, none of us could have. She was the most selfless and amazing woman I’d ever known. I’d do anything for her, and I’d spend the rest of my life doing right by her because she’d saved me.

Her smile lit up her whole face, and I could tell even from a distance that she was proud of me. In my gut I felt like the luckiest bastard in the world to be on the receiving end of a look like that.

She glanced across the space that separated us, her expression fierce and full of affection when she mouthed back,
Love you, too.

And thank fuck for that.

Boston, Massachusetts (Not the Aegean)

Harry Shields showed up for the night shift, regular as clockwork. He greeted his co-worker, Jerry, like usual and they completed the switchover. When Harry went to start his rounds of the museum, all was quiet. It was always quiet. The presence of so many magnificent works of art seemed to warrant the respect of silence. They hung on the walls as though in slumber, until the sun rose and it was time to be looked at by new eyes.

Harry might’ve just been an average Joe security guard, but he also liked to think of himself as an art lover. He passed through the Blue room, where one of his favourite paintings was on display, a depiction of a bridge going over the water in Venice by the American artist, John Singer Sargent. Harry had always wanted to visit the Italian city, and he hoped that in a couple years he’d finally have enough saved up to take his family on the trip of a lifetime.

“One day, Venezia, one day I’ll see you for real,” he muttered to no one in particular. He had a tendency to talk to himself. Sometimes he spoke to the paintings, or even the artists themselves, though he’d never admit it if asked.

How’s it going, Raphael? Long time no see.

Working the night shift alone for the past five years had caused him to develop a few . . . eccentricities. Yep, it was just a typical night at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Well, that was until he heard an odd scratching noise as he approached the Dutch room. Quickly, he pulled out his flashlight. He shone it around the space, searching for the source of the noise, but it had gone quiet again. Wondering if an animal had found their way in, a wild cat or a fox maybe, he did a brief inspection of the room but everything seemed to be in order. Just a bunch of paintings in frames. He clicked off his flashlight, then stilled. Not all the frames should have paintings. The infamous frame of
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee
had sat empty for over twenty-five years, ever since it was stolen alongside a number of other valuable items on that faithful night in March, 1990. He turned his flashlight back on.

The frame was no longer empty.

Harry let out a string of swear words his mother would’ve clipped him around the ear for when he was younger and pulled out his walkie-talkie. His co-worker Mick was currently patrolling the courtyard and gardens.

“What is it, Shields?” he answered, sounding bored.

“I’m in the Dutch room, and, uh, I think there’s something you need to come see.”

***

Meanwhile, sailing down the motorway in a rented Ford Fusion, two best friends celebrated a job well done.

“I can’t believe we pulled that off,” said Alfie, grinning widely over at Jamie who was smiling, too, as he focused on the road ahead.

“Hey, you’re the mastermind in all this. I’m just the one who gave you a little push to go through with it.”

“It’s not like it didn’t take me months and months of planning,” Alfie said with a hint of self-deprecation.

“Oh, quit the modesty. You’re a genius, and I’m delighted to be along for the ride.”

“You’re not just along for the ride. If it weren’t for you I never would’ve had the courage to go through with it. I think I might actually be running off your bravery right now, because I’m not sure I ever possessed much myself.”

Jamie reached across and briefly squeezed his hand. “Nonsense. You’ve always been brave. You just needed the right person to bring it out of you. That’s where I come in, being the crazy, risk-taking son of a gun that I am. Besides, you know I could never resist a good adventure.”

“Well, I have always been a fan of your crazy.”

They shared a smile then silence fell, miles and miles of road passing them by.

Now Alfie frowned, the reality of what they’d just done suddenly sinking in. “Oh my God, Jamie. We just broke into a museum to return a painting that was stolen over twenty-five years ago. A painting that, if we’d returned it officially, could’ve seen us being rewarded millions of pounds for its recovery. I think we’re both insane.”

Jamie tilted his head to the side. “Well sure, but how would we explain having it in our possession? It’s not like we could just show up with an almost four-hundred-year-old Rembrandt, and tell them that when you were contracted by an art thief to paint a replica, you actually painted two. And that when the thief agreed to give you a moment alone with the original, you swapped it with the second replica and hid the real painting under your floor boards.”

“Well, when you put it like that I guess you’re right,” Alfie allowed.

“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right. The FBI would have to be involved. They’d want to know who exactly this art thief was and who had the painting all these years. And since your very dear cousin is now very much in love with said art thief, your hands were pretty much tied.”

“Andie’s going to kill me when she finds out,” said Alfie nervously.

“Maybe at first, but once she realises the risk you took to do the right thing, to return a piece of history to its rightful owner, I’m sure she’ll find it in her heart to forgive you your deception. Besides, even when the painting’s recovery is reported on the news, it’s not like this Renfield character will have any recourse, and you said yourself that both Andrea and Stuart used false names and disguises. He doesn’t even know their true identities.”

Alfie nodded, his confidence bolstered. “You’re right. And I spoke with Mum the other day. She wasn’t too happy about it, but I reminded her how the sale of my counterfeits provided for the lifestyle she’s been enjoying all these years. She owed me. I managed to guilt trip her into threatening Dad with informing the police about the money he hid in Swiss bank accounts before he was sent to prison. There’s far more in those accounts than he ever made from the sale of the painting, so I know he’ll keep his distance.”

Jamie smacked him on the thigh and laughed loudly. “Perfect! I have to admit, I’m quite proud of us. Tonight we’ve done something that will go down in the history books for years to come. They’ll forever wonder who the Good Samaritans were who returned the famous painting, and we’ll know it was us. Maybe one day, when I’m old and grey, I’ll sit down and tell all my grandchildren the tale of how my best friend in the whole wide world and I embarked on an impossible adventure.”

Alfie shot him an amused look. “Grandchildren?”

“Don’t look so shocked. Of course I plan to have grandchildren.”

“Yeah, but how—”

“When you and I adopt and our little one grows up, I’m sure they’ll want to reproduce.”

Alfie’s mouth dropped open in shock, his cheeks colouring themselves bright red. “You . . . and me . . . adopt?”

Jamie feigned a horrified expression. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those awful people who hate children? Because if you are, I might have to rethink this whole being in love with you business.”

Now Alfie could barely form words. He stared at his friend, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Of course, he’d secretly held a candle for Jamie for years, always too afraid to tell him for fear of losing their friendship. But he never for a second imagined his feelings were reciprocated.

Jamie glanced back and forth between him and the road. “Well, say something. Don’t leave a gentleman hanging.”

Alfie flushed all the way down to his toes. “I love you, too,” he said in a barely audible mumble.

Jamie grinned, well aware of his embarrassment. “Do speak up, darling. I didn’t hear a word you just said.”

“Oh for crying out loud,” Alfie huffed. “I love you, okay. I’ve loved you since . . . forever.”

Pleased as punch, Jamie pulled the car over onto the side of the road. As soon as they were safely out of the way of any oncoming traffic, he grabbed Alfie by the face and kissed him hard right on the mouth. Alfie gasped, sinking into the kiss like he’d been waiting for it his entire life.

The painting had been returned.

He’d done the right thing.

And now he was kissing the love of his life in the front of a rented Ford something-or-other.

END.