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.