Stolen Skye (Book One, The Skye Trilogy) (12 page)

“Um, well, how much are they?”
She pointed to one, opening it up fully for me so I could evaluate the merchandise. She didn’t answer so I tried again. “Okay, how much for the map?” All of a sudden, she threw it down and ran toward the metro with the rest of the maps clenched in her little arms. Something must have scared her off and I looked around me to understand. Nothing stood out. Still startled, I bent to pick up the discarded map and sat down on a nearby bench. After looking it over, I was content to sit and watch the people go by. A half hour or so had passed when the drizzling began. I considered heading back to the hotel and see if Bounce wanted to get some lunch. I folded my map and put it in my coat pocket, making my way back over to the bridge.

A man grabbed me by the upper arm and pulled me out of the foot traffic, forcing me to turn and look at him.
It was Ari. His eyes flashed with anger and I felt the same shocking fear I had that first night. “Would you please learn to hold onto your things?” He took hold of my hand, slapping my wallet and passport into my palm.

“I don’t understand.”
I was alarmed at his sudden appearance and not comprehending the rest.

“Did you retain nothing?
Come with me.” He stalked forward, still holding my arm, and brought me by the tube entrance that the young girl had disappeared down. A swarthy, older man dressed like a tourist stood waiting, holding his hat in his hands with a somewhat cowed expression. “You see her again, you walk the other way, do you understand?” Ari spat out the words, pointing at me while he waited for the man’s acknowledgement. The man nodded several times without really looking at either of us, and turned to leave. Ari stepped forward and gave him some money. I noticed the same little girl smiling up at me from the banister of the metro stairwell. She waved once and was gone like a flash.

“How did they get my wallet?”
I hadn’t felt anything or seen anyone but the girl. Ari didn’t answer as he moved us down the walk. I turned tentatively to look up at him. He was heated, and I sensed I may have inadvertently sealed my fate. He was right. I hadn’t retained anything if it was that easy to rob me. With him back, all the worrying about what I was going to do once I learned everything seemed like wasted emotion. It was clear from his expression that I wasn’t going to get the chance.

We got to where the Mercedes waited and Derek emerged to open my door, but Ari was faster.
He placed me in the backseat, slamming the door, and crossed to the other side to speak with Derek for a moment. I looked down at my hands. Everything was there; the money, all my credit cards and the business cards everyone had given me were in the front slot with Ari’s on top. I glanced back out the window and saw him on the phone with someone while Derek held an umbrella over him. Probably making my flight arrangements. I became increasingly annoyed. What exactly had I done to upset him so much? He didn’t own London and he couldn’t make me leave. I put my things back in my purse, in the zippered compartment this time, and waited to tell him to go straight to hell.

He slid into the backseat without a word.
He was drenched and raked his hands through his thick hair, so black it was almost blue from the rain. Derek turned the engine and we were off to an unknown destination. “Where are we going?” I demanded, brushing my own hair out of my face.

“We’re going to my house,” he replied casually, still looking straight ahead.
I was preparing to fight against going to the hotel to pack or straight to the airport as answers so I had to consider for a minute what going to his house might mean. I came up with nothing.

“Why?”
I searched his face for a clue as to what was going on in his head.

“I need to give you something.
When nobody knew where you were today… that didn’t work for me.” He glanced over in my direction for just a second and then out his window. His black-emerald eyes had lost some of their fierceness and I relaxed into the car seat.

“I’m sorry.
I didn’t think I had to let anyone know.” I couldn’t recall anything being said about me checking in with people. I gave myself a second to consider that Ari had been worried about me.

“Evy, what exactly do you think is happening here?
I feel responsible for you now that you’re back. Fintan obviously didn’t communicate our situation in fine detail.” He shifted to look more closely at me. I took in the sound of him saying my nickname for the first time. It felt so familiar that inexplicably tears were forming in my eyes.

“What is the situation then?”
I asked, trying to hide the effect he was having on me.

“We are thieves, Evelyn,” he said more coolly.
“We’ve stolen fine jewels, irreplaceable art and the like. We’ve evaded the law successfully, but do you think there aren’t other criminals or past clients out there who watch us with interest? Since you have neither the ability nor understanding to protect yourself, I’m requesting that you stay close to us. Is that too much to ask?” I could feel the intensity within him rising again as he paused for my response.

“So, there is some danger?”
I just needed it confirmed so I could deal with it.

He stared
back at me, clearly frustrated. “It’s difficult to see how you could’ve thought otherwise.” He shifted back to his original position, tracing a stream of rain down the window with his finger. I thought about how easily I had put my faith in Finn because I wanted to learn the truth. He’d said there was no danger from the group. It never occurred to me that there could be more to fear.

“How did you know where to find me?”

“I called your room and then the others. Nobody knew where you were. The concierge informed me that you’d asked about walking the Thames and he suggested Westminster Bridge. Shortly thereafter, I got a call letting me know you had been the victim of an unfortunate crime.”

“How did they do it?
I didn’t feel a thing?” I was truly astonished.

“I’ve been
doing that since I was four. It’s the oldest trick in the book. I’m surprised you kept your wallet this long.” His deep voice had an added touch of exasperation.

“How did you find out?”

“He knows my family. He called me, concerned he’d just robbed someone he shouldn’t. No doubt someone has shared with you a bit of my story. That gentleman was a poor Gypsy who felt it a good idea to steal from an American in broad daylight.” We sat in silence as Ari’s message sank in. There was a whole world of criminals out there. Raven had warned they were not all like my friends. I allowed myself a moment to consider packing up and going home.

Maybe I knew enough.
I could go back and move to New York and get a job and start over, making new friends. Perhaps I could finish those last credits and graduate. The mental picture triggered my eyes to water more. I looked out the window to keep Ari from seeing. As stupid as it was, I didn’t want to go home. I must have known subconsciously that there would be some risk in reconnecting with criminals, but I chose to come anyway. Through dumb luck, friends from the past had found me. Going home and forgetting them was not an option.

Also, there was a chance I might remember where I’d stashed a lot of money.
If my journey to self-discovery wasn’t reason enough to stay, that money plus my trust fund would make my life easier down the road. I needed to be where I was, relearning all that I could. The element of danger was unfortunate, but it wasn’t enough to make me run. Eventually, I broke the uncomfortable silence. “I figured you were going to send me back when I saw how angry you were.” I waited to see if it was something he had considered.

“My anger was more in response to the situation, I’m sorry for frightening you.
Anyway, I don’t have the ability or a reason to send you anywhere, you would just eventually come back to find out more, or remember some other obscure thing on your own, and blurt it out to the world. Now that you’re here and have remembered something, it’s in our best interest that we keep you close until an assignment presents itself.”

“They told you I remembered Finn’s boat?”

“Yes,” he responded indifferently, never looking at me again until we arrived at his home.
One of the redwood garage doors rose and Derek parked the car. Next to the Mercedes was the sports car I had seen Ari driving that first day. It was carbon black with a true black interior and silver stitching in the leather. I had never seen a more stealth vehicle anywhere. He saw me eyeing it as he came around to my side.

“It’s an Aston Martin Vantage,” he mentioned off-handedly as he strode toward the door.
Raven and Bounce were wrong, he wasn’t Batman; he was Bond. I followed him into the familiar basement and over to the wine room. He unfastened the lock just as Finn had done and the door swung wide. Brinks was waiting for us inside, glad to see I’d been found.

“Evy, Ari wants me to set you up with a couple of things, if you’ll allow.”

“Sure.”
I doubted I had any choice.

He led me back to the room where I had spotted all the computers before.
Ari took a seat at the table, watching us. “This is an encrypted cell phone. Untraceable. Use it to call us and we’ll do the same. I have taken the liberty of programming all our numbers into it.” He pushed his glasses back up his nose and handed me a silver phone that made my current phone look like an obsolete relic.

Brinks continued, “And, you’re going to need this tonight
— a British passport for you to use when we ask you to. Being Evelyn Green from America is not always… appropriate.” It was odd when he said it. I had to think for a second who Evelyn Green was. He handed me a burgundy passport with gold lettering. My picture was inside it, the same one as in my U.S. passport. My address was listed as Raven’s in Notting Hill. My name was Evelyn Skye, a resident of the United Kingdom.

“What’s happening tonight?”
I looked at the passport and encrypted cell phone, wondering what I could possibly be in for.

“You just need the passport tonight.
All the other credentials have been provided. Ari can explain the rest.” I thanked him and stepped back over to Ari with my new items stowed away.

“What’
s happening tonight that I have to be a British citizen for?” I sat across from him, preparing myself for his answer. Surely it wasn’t criminal activity.

“You’ve requested the details of our time together.
Tonight is an opportunity to show you something. Your real name isn’t known where we’re going. I thought it best to keep it that way. Raven has placed attire in your room for this particular engagement.” His dark eyes shone, giving away some of his amusement.

“This seem
s like a ridiculous question, but is what we are doing dangerous?”

“No, this is one venue where I can assure your safety.
You won’t even need your whistle.” He straightened in his chair with a faint smile on his lips.

“Mock it if you will, but it did get their attention.”

“I’m sure… what was your next step if Finn was incapacitated?”

“Run, I guess.”

“That should have been the only thing you did.” He stared across the table at me, the amusement all but gone from his face. Without trying, I felt like I had succeeded in disappointing him in several ways since my reappearance.

I spoke to break the silence.
“So, Raven broke into my hotel room?” I knew it was true but I wanted to hear the justification.

“Yes, she inspected your closet earlier today and found it necessary.
The only thing you need to bring tonight is the new passport. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to discuss with Brinks. Derek will take you back to the hotel or to one of the others, if you’d like. I’ll escort you out.” Ari was up in one smooth motion and done with me, apparently. I waved once to Brinks and gathered my things, following him out to the car.

“I’ll pick you up at 7
PM.” He held open the car door and waited for me to indicate I’d heard him.

“Can you give me a hint where we’re going?
Is it just the two of us?” I couldn’t hide the apprehension in my voice.

“
Does that upset you?” He glared at me while I figured out the right response. He was helping me, but it didn’t feel like it came from anywhere that was friendly. His whole demeanor was much more cautious and calculating than any of the rest of them.

“No.
I was just curious,” I lied.

He seemed to sense my dishonesty, smirking in his lopsided way.
“With regards to our destination, I’d rather surprise you.”

Chapter
12. Not a Date

How did she think this would work for me?
I wondered as I evaluated the clothes Raven had provided which still lay untouched on the bed. Along with the dress, matching clutch and bustier, she left a note advising me that my blue dress was average, but probably too short for formal wear. She also let me know that these things were on loan and to be very careful or I’d be sorry. Coming from her, the threat wasn’t one to completely laugh off. If it didn’t fit, I was to call her. The dress was beautiful, but I hadn’t had a need for a strapless bustier since the Holiday Ball in school. At least the note allowed me to wear my own shoes. She told me the dress was floor length and, thankfully, nobody would notice them.

After a lot of procrastination, I called Bounce.
“Can you come over? If you’re in the middle of something, I understand, but I might need some help.”

“Is this about the dress?
It was the milder of the ones she asked me to choose from. You’ll look amazing in it. I’ll be over in twenty.” She hung up and I immediately felt better. She was someone to tell me if I looked ridiculous and who might spill the beans as to where I was being taken. Considering Ari’s reaction to me walking down a path full of people in broad daylight, I doubted he would take me anywhere scary. He’d assured my safety, but that was beginning to mean nothing to me from these people. Whatever it was, this was something special enough to require a full length gown so I was anxious to find out. I wished Bounce or Finn could be going with me. Just as I thought his name, my new phone rang, startling me.

“Evelyn, I
just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Brinks told me a girl mugged you, but Ari miraculously appeared. It seems I shouldn’t let you out of my sight.” He had a breezy tone on the phone, more so than last night. I wondered if he was still upset about me not remembering the kiss. I knew he logically couldn’t blame me, but logic is little comfort to bruised feelings.

“Yes, Ari knew them, but I am sure you know that.
And, you have my new phone number, so, good. Bounce is coming over to help me get ready for tonight.” I didn’t have much else to add to the conversation since he already knew it all. We might eventually need to discuss the kiss, but it felt like something he would need to bring up first.

“Tonight?
What’s happening tonight?” He genuinely didn’t know, I could tell from the sudden seriousness of his tone.

“I figured Brinks would have told you.
Ari is taking me somewhere that requires formal wear and a British passport. Any ideas?”

After a long pause he said, “No.
Evy, promise me you’ll be careful?”

“Yes, but why?
What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just odd he never mentioned it today.
I’ll call you later.” With that, he was gone. Finn had succeeded in making me even more nervous. If he, the one who downplayed any danger, was now the one telling me to be careful, that was not a good sign. Bounce arrived and I began to calm down. She claimed that she and Raven didn’t know where he was taking me either, but when he’d called looking for me, he had requested they find me a formal gown for a gala event. That didn’t sound particularly frightening to any of us, so I tried to think of it as a movie premier. I also told Bounce about Finn’s reaction just to make doubly sure there wasn’t a danger we hadn’t considered.

“Finn and Ari are having a difficult time communicating.
Don’t worry about it. That’s their problem right now. Of course, if they don’t resolve it before our next job, it’ll be everyone’s problem,” Bounce explained as she decided between my two perfumes which one she liked the best.

She held the dress up to herself while I stuffed the bra cutlets she brought me into the bustier.
A last minute addition from Raven which she assured I did not have to return. After gently stepping into it and opening my eyes one at a time, the dress was fantastic. A soft, white-gold satin that coated the body, coming to a very slight flair below the knees. The satin stopped just above the breast where sheer, chocolate-brown folds of chiffon lined the edge. The shimmering satin and chiffon made up the off-the-shoulder sleeves that fell to the elbow, not puffy, but flowing and gathered at the arm. They made the gown more romantic, almost medieval in style. The colors brought out the golden hues in my eyes and hair. Maybe it was just because it was Raven’s dress, but I felt like I was more than ordinarily pretty as I looked in the mirror.

“You look stunning.
I didn’t have a dress that would fit you, but I do have these.” Bounce took out a case holding a graceful necklace of smoky quartz with small diamonds and matching earrings, all suspended by thin, gold chains.

“Bounce, it’s
beautiful.” I scrunched down to let her clasp it on me from behind.

“It’s perfect.
Lose it and you die… again,” she responded playfully, smoothing the necklace flat against my shoulders. I did wish for a moment that Finn was there to see me. I knew it wasn’t something that was smart to encourage, but it was more fun dressing up for someone and he was who I pictured. The thought of him in a tuxedo kept me smiling as I finished straightening my hair. Soon it was time to go.

“Here’s the clutch.
It’s got your room key and new passport in it, Ms. Skye.” Bounce handed it to me as we made our way to the elevators.

“How did I choose the last name Skye anyway?”

“I’m not sure.
Brinks probably just made it up.” She shrugged her shoulders and pressed the button for the lobby.

“How uninteresting.
I’ll need to think of a better one for the next job.” Just as I said it, I realized my mistake.

Bounce spun round and looked at me with undisguised joy on her face.
“Seriously, are you thinking about staying with us for a while? I mean, I hoped you would, but I get it if you’re just here for a few days or whatever.” She was giddy at the thought of me returning fully to a life I’d so abruptly left before.

“Bounce, I’m sorry.
That was just a knee-jerk reaction. I don’t know what I am going to do. I’m taking this one day at a time. Is that okay? Please don’t tell anyone I said that right now.” I put my hand over my heart trying to show her how much I didn’t mean to get her hopes up.

“Of course.
One day at a time, but you said it — a part of you is already back. It’ll be our secret though.” She winked at me, her smile never dimming.

We
arrived to the lobby and he wasn’t hard to spot. As Ari bent his tall frame to talk to the concierge, I felt a jolt of adrenaline course through me like I always seemed to whenever he appeared. He was dressed up, but still retained his faint stubble that gave him an unkempt appearance, despite the well-fitted black tuxedo. His ebony hair was back off his face, for now, longer in the front than on the sides and brushing just above his stark white collar in the back. His sideburns were heavy as well, but neatly trimmed. Perhaps his roguish appearance was just part of his cover, like the impersonal art and the extravagant car. My impression thus far was that none of it held any interest for him. The only passionate feelings I’d seen Ari exhibit were anger and frustration.

“He does formal very well,” Bounce said, observing me for a second and smiling her approval.
She scooted off down the hall to say hello. He turned to her with a smile and then looked up at me unexpectedly. His expression changed quickly. With several pairs of eyes on me, I closed the distance between us and tried to figure out the reason for his scowl.

“Evelyn, good evening.
Bounce, thank you for the help. Shall we?” He extended his arm for me in an absent-minded way and bid Bounce farewell. His sleek black car was parked just in front of the hotel and the valet held the door for me. Moment of truth, sliding into a low sports car in a tight dress. Mission accomplished. Ari shook hands with the valet and opened his own door, stepping in effortlessly behind the wheel.

“Are you ready?”
He looked over at me as he fastened his belt and ignited the engine.

“I would be more ready if I knew where we were going.
It’s hard to dress for an unknown destination. I hope we got it right.” It wasn’t technically fishing for a compliment, it was just that he almost looked unhappy when he saw me and that can pierce the heart of any woman.

“We don’t have far to go, you’ll know soon enough.”
He pulled out onto Albemarle and rocketed toward the unknown. Fine, he was not a flatterer. I reminded myself that, despite appearances, this wasn’t a date. I thought about Finn and what his concern may have meant on the phone. I hoped everything between us was okay. I tried to not think about the unforgettable kiss, but the aftermath of it was concerning me. I couldn’t ignore how warm and engaging Finn was, made even more evident surrounded by the cold, hard black of the car and Ari’s frosty demeanor.

“So, are you Ari tonight or is there some other name I call you?
What is it that I say I do?” Since it seemed friendly conversation would be in short supply, I figured it was best to use the time to understand my role as Evelyn Skye, British citizen.

“Nobody is going to ask you anything, we just have to provide identification when we arrive.
But, if it comes up, just tell anyone interested that you’re my girlfriend. They won’t expect that you do much else. And yes, I am Ari Cameron.” He kept his eyes on the road, which I was thankful for considering the exorbitant speed.

“Cameron was my father’s first name
,” I blurted out for no particular reason.

He looked over at me as if caught by surprise.
“Funny, that’s what you said the first time I met you.”

I laughed, “Really? And what did you say?”

His eyes softened almost imperceptibly.
“I said that I’d never met a Cameron I didn’t like.” He watched my face with an unreadable expression and then turned back to the road ahead.

“Good,” I answered quietly, glad for a brief glimpse of the friendship we must have shared before.

“And, that was your exact reply.” A reluctant grin broke across his face as he took a corner faster than I thought possible. “Tonight, just stay by me. We aren’t there to mingle with the crowd.” He was serious again and I looked out the window to get a hold of where we were in the city.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I exclaimed.
He began to slow as large black iron gates were parted by huge men in beefeater uniforms. Buckingham Palace glowed ahead of us, immeasurably grand and beyond my ability to visualize as a place for a party. Ari lowered his window and gave a card to the guard. We were waved through, pulling forward slowly over the cobblestones. Ari drove through as if he had done it a thousand times and veered off to the left, toward a temporary looking portico.

I turned to him as much as the cockpit of the Vantage would allow.
“Was there a time that you considered this might be too overwhelming for me?”

“First, you’ve been once before
, so try not to gape. Second, you wanted the details, and I couldn’t think of a better place to start. Don’t worry; you aren’t being presented to the Queen. She’s at Balmoral. Just a lot of wealthy, boring people. You’re used to that.” He glanced at me with a satisfied grin as he slid out of the car and came to my side. I grabbed a hold of my clutch and cursed him under my breath.

Once inside, I mirrored Ari, providing my passport to an imposing gentleman also in formal wear, and walked slowly through a metal detector after surrendering my clutch for inspection.
Ari placed his hand on my back and guided me through the Grand Hall past other men and women in varying degrees of black tie. I felt overwhelmed as we approached the curving marble structure I recognized from so many photographs. The Grand Staircase.

Ari brought us to a stop on the red carpet that extended up the stairs.
A photographer took his name and snapped the photo for which I did not smile, as my nerves may have caused it to be uncontrollable. Ari removed his arm from my waist and we ascended. The almost life-size portraits that hung on the walls were astounding — all that royalty over so many years. I heard another gentleman stop his guest and announce they were all hung by Queen Victoria, who was the first resident of the palace as a young queen. I wondered how many times she walked the same stairs as she thought fondly of Prince Albert and ruled a sovereign nation. I had much less pressure tonight, I tried to assure myself.
Do what Ari says and keep your mouth shut
was my mantra.

We continued on silently through a long gallery
, also carpeted in the same royal red. The furnishings were sparse except for gigantic, rectangular tables that lined the center of the room with overflowing floral arrangements. Wooden chairs with claw and ball feet and red cushions stood guard along the side of the room. Ari looked at me every few steps, probably making sure I was holding it together. I was too awe struck to be anything else. This was Buckingham Palace for God’s sake.

Seemingly content that I wasn’t going to break
down and humiliate myself, he escorted me into a grand ballroom awash in gold and mirrors. This is where the people were gathering, and I estimated about a hundred so far. The room was designed for much larger crowds. There were glass cases roped off by red velvet, scattered across the floor, about eight or so which the crowd were circling. It was some type of exhibit. I turned to Ari hoping for some answers.