The Sapphire Heist (A Jewel Novel Book 2) (16 page)

Her mother scoffed. “He’s paying, but he’s doing it in the way he thinks is best.”

Steph groaned. “Oh Lord. What does that mean?”

“It means, as usual, his generosity is misdirected. The reason he called the other day was to tell me he’d made a ten-thousand-dollar donation in my name to some charity that builds schools in Africa for children affected by the diamond economy.”

“Oh my God,” Steph said, her insides searing. “He’s obsessed with that charity. He seems to think if he just funnels them money, that absolves him of every misdeed.”

“That seems to be the case. But let’s not worry about him.”

“But how are we going to get you the money for your space?” she asked as she neared the shop. The sounds of Jack Johnson on the radio greeted her ears. “I have some saved up from my last few gigs.”

“First of all,
we
are not going to.
I
will. And second, don’t worry about me. I’ll come up with something.”

“I want to help you, though,” Steph said as someone opened the door of the shop.

That someone was Jake. He had a white plastic bag from Island Shine in his hand, and his shades hung on the neck of his gray T-shirt. He locked his gaze on hers, and her stomach pirouetted.

“Mom, I need to go.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“Why are you here?”

He wasted no time. “I need a do-over,” he said, stepping closer to the woman he wanted and needed in his life.

“I thought you were leaving?”

“I was heading to the airport, but I couldn’t leave without finding you and telling you what an astonishingly horrific job I did at apologizing the other day.”

A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.

“Like, it might have won awards as the worst apology ever,” he added.

“It might have,” she muttered.

“I’ve been fielding calls from the
Guinness Book of World Records
requesting it be added to their record book.”

The smirk turned into a tiny grin. “It belonged there.”

“And I had to try again,” he said, drinking her in with his eyes. The sunlight shone on her blonde hair, making it appear golden. The freckles on her nose were an adorable constellation. He wanted to kiss them all. “This time, I want to apologize properly. With gifts. Because I’m pretty sure when you’re”—he stopped to tap his chest—“a total ass to the woman you’re crazy about, the least you can do is give her a gift to say you’re sorry.”

She raised her chin, a curious look in her blue eyes. “What have you got?”

“Only the finest,” he began as he dipped his hand into the flimsy white bag and produced a coconut air freshener. “For your car back home. Now I know what you’re thinking. How could I do something so generous? I picked this not only because it smells awesome, but because I also hope to be spending more time in your car, since I still want to spend more time with you.”

She reached for it, taking the coconut cutout without touching his fingers. “OK. So my car will smell nice. That’s a start.”

“I also got you this,” he said, fishing for the next item in the bag. A Ghirardelli chocolate bar. “The kind you like,” he said, handing it to her.

She took it, and this time he felt the barest trace of a touch from her fingertips. “I like Ghirardelli.”

“I remember . . . and most of all, I want to properly apologize with this card,” he said, and grabbed a greeting card of a black-and-white cartoon cat. The inside was blank. But he’d written his own inscription.

When she opened the card, the small grin morphed into a full-blown smile, complete with laughter, as she read aloud the note. “Sorry I behaved like a cat.”

She closed the card and looked him in the eyes. A surge of happiness spread through him. He hadn’t won her yet, but he hoped he was at least halfway there.

“I’m sorry, Steph. I’m truly sorry. I want to try again with you. For real,” he said, then reached for her arms, unable to resist touching her. He ran his fingers along her warm skin. “Because I’m in love with you.”

In seconds, her arms were around his neck, and her lips were on his, and all the past was erased in a kiss that marked this starting over.

Tender and warm, it melted his heart.

She broke the kiss and pressed her forehead to his, keeping her arms laced around him, the gifts in her hands. “I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry for all the times I doubted you. And I’m sorry when I acted like a cat as well. But I’m so glad you’re here, and I want to try again and not be cats.”

He laughed deeply and brushed another kiss on her lips. “Let’s do it.”

She let go of the embrace and stuffed his gifts into the bag. She dipped her head to his neck and whispered in his ear. “How do you feel about make-up sex?”

“I just need to drop something in the back room of the shop, OK?” she said to Devon as she race-walked through his shop. The afternoon rush was over, so the store was empty.

He was working behind the counter. His eyes drifted from her to Jake. She held Jake’s hand.

“Hey, Devon. Nice to meet you. Steph says good things about you,” Jake said, and she squeezed his hand.

Devon rolled his eyes. “You think I was born yesterday? Yes, you can use the back room. Just be quiet.”

“You’re the best,” she called out, and in seconds, she’d shut and locked the storage room where Devon kept extra snorkels, masks, and fins.

She backed up against the wall and yanked Jake against her, and all the softness of their reunion kiss vanished in this greedy kiss. It had only been two days without him, but she’d missed him, and she’d longed for this. For this kind of connection, for this kind of moment. Frenzied, desperate, and hungry.

This was the way it should be. Lovers might hurt each other, but they find ways to move on and stay together. She was so glad that all their mistakes were forgivable, because she wanted this—the chance to explore all that they could have together. She’d been wary from the start, reluctant to give her heart. But just because Eli and Duke had been dishonest didn’t mean Jake was. He was good, and forthright, and she refused to let the past stop her from trusting the man she loved.

She was going all in.

“I missed you,” she said.

“I missed you, too,” he murmured as he pushed up the skirt of her sundress and tugged down her bikini bottoms. “Show me. Show me how much,” he rasped in her ear, then his fingers were between her legs, and she gasped, and he groaned, and she couldn’t wait any longer.

In a mad rush, she unzipped his shorts, and he produced a condom, and then he was sliding into her.

The start of a needy moan tried to escape her lips, but he covered her mouth with his palm as he thrust. “We have to be quiet,” he whispered, and she nodded her agreement.

Hell, she’d say yes to anything right now, so long as he didn’t stop. He was deep inside her, and pleasure sparked wildly all through her body. She looped her arms around his neck, and he took her like that, against the door, in a snorkel shop, delivering the best make-up sex ever. Soon, she was digging her nails into his back, biting down on his shoulder, and riding to the other side of bliss with him.

Right here with him.

Where she belonged.

She was happy.

Radiantly happy.

She might not have accomplished all that she’d come to the Caymans for, but she’d gained something else in return. She’d been solely focused on her business since it blew apart, but she’d learned business was better when she had someone she loved and trusted by her side. Jake was that guy, no questions asked.

After she said good-bye to her old friend, she held hands with Jake as they walked along the boardwalk outside the snorkel shop, under the clear blue sky.

In her other hand, she held the bag of gifts he’d given her. She loved the gifts. Each one was perfect for her.

Then it hit her.

Like an anvil dropped from a ten-story building.

Like a meteor crashing into the yard.

Right under her nose.

She stopped in her tracks.

She whispered his name as a sense of awe descended on her.

“Yes?”

Jake had taught her that knowing the target was the best weapon you had at your disposal. And boy, did she ever know the target. “I know where the diamonds are.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Are you sure you want to?” she asked the question yet another time.

His answer remained the same. “Abso-fucking-lutely.”

“We’re only going to have a few minutes,” she warned.

“Well aware of that.”

“And this is our only shot,” she added as they rounded up supplies. A quick Google search had taken them to a boutique in Georgetown, then another one near Sapphire, and now they were parking outside a little souvenir shop. Her shoulders tightened with worry that she wouldn’t find the Trojan horse.

“Like a lunar eclipse. Only comes around once every few years,” he said as he opened the car door for her.

“Exactly. And it could come up empty. I don’t even know if I’ll find what I need.”

“Anything can come up empty,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Except this,” he said softly, brushing a kiss on her cheek.

She shivered against him.

“Couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t resist.”

They popped into the shop, and she made a beeline for the shiny objects. She spun a rack around, hunting. “C’mon, c’mon,” she whispered under her breath.

Then she found what she needed to gain entry. “Got it!”

He pumped a fist, and they headed to the counter.

“And you’re going to have to be quiet as a deer,” she said, reminding him. Like he needed a reminder to be stealthy.

He scoffed. “As if I’d be anything but.”

“I’d love to be the gun, but I think I have to be the sniper.”

“Babe, you and me. We’ve got this,” he said, squaring his shoulders, confidence seeming to radiate through him. “We do it like our greatest hits. This one-two punch we’ve got going is the perfect ploy.”

“But what if he hears you? Or what if I can’t distract them?”

“Then we improvise,” he said as they left the store. “That’s what we’ve always done.”

“And you’re sure you want to do this? You were done with this case and walking away. I don’t want to twist your arm into doing something you don’t want to do.”

“Steph, I promise you this. When it comes to adventure, it’s pretty much impossible to twist my arm. I was born to take risks,” he said, patting his backpack, then pointing to the fiery orange ball dipping closer to the horizon. “Now let’s do it. Sun is setting, and clock is ticking.”

As Steph walked past the orchids and palm trees, she reflected on the last time she’d been here at Eli’s home in this tropical paradise. Two days ago. She’d arrived at her stepfather’s, contrite and apologetic. His car and his jewels had been stolen on her watch. Guilt had ravaged her, and doubt had riddled her.

Then, he’d shown his true stripes.

He’d loaned her his car not just because of the better air-conditioning, but to nab the woman who was trying to steal his own stolen gems. He’d told her he’d finally pay the debt he owed her mother, only to send it to a foreign charity. Then, his new lady had let it slip that he’d absconded with the funds in the first place from the company he’d built on the generosity of Steph’s mom.

Eli was charming. Eli was delightful. Somewhere, underneath that cad exterior, he had a heart. He wasn’t entirely a
bad
guy, but he also traipsed through life with blinders on, oblivious to those he hurt.

This was her last chance to make sure that the bucket of luck in the world didn’t tip over for just one guy.

That it ran back in favor of those who’d been screwed. Everyone he took from.

She rang the doorbell and checked the time. In ten minutes, he’d be leaving for the event at Isla’s gallery—the one to raise money for their favorite pet charity. If she could have sneaked in when he was gone, she would have. But he had an alarm, and she didn’t know the code. The only way to pull this off was to be invited.

A flurry of nerves lodged in Steph’s chest, but she ignored them, steadying herself for this last mission.

He opened the door. “Good evening.” He beamed, holding it open wide and inviting her inside.

Step one—enter the home.

He dropped a quick kiss on one cheek, then the other.

“You look handsome,” Steph said, gesturing to his tailored suit and crisp button-down shirt.

“Why thank you. Wait ’til you see Isla. She’s stunning as always.”

“I have a gift for her,” Steph said, then lowered her voice. “I think you’ll be quite happy to see what I got her.”

Step two—butter him up.

She showed him the small gift bag with a bow on it. “But wait ’til Isla comes downstairs.”

Eli’s eyes lit up in excitement. The man simply loved gifts. “Isla, my love,” he called out. “Steph is here to say good-bye. And she has a gift for you.”

“Be right there,” Isla said from upstairs in her cheery voice.

“Are you excited about the fund-raiser?” Steph asked, bouncing on her toes to show she was simply thrilled, too.

“Oh yes. It’s going to be wonderful,” he said as he waxed on about how much money they hoped to raise, while putting on his cuff links. He got stuck on one, so he removed his Rolex, setting it on the marble table by the door.

“Let me help you,” Steph said as she reached for the cuff link and slid it through the button hole in the shirt.

“You’re a dear.”

A minute later, Isla descended the staircase like a princess at a cotillion. Her black hair was swept high on her head in a twist, with tendrils curled at her cheeks. Her diamond necklace adorned her throat, and a black dress hugged her perfect body.

“Oh Isla,” Steph said loudly. So damn loudly as she clasped her hand to her chest. “You look stunning.”

The volume was his cue.

The second Steph raised her voice, he climbed into the bathroom window. In seconds, he retraced his steps from the other night. Only this time, it was dusk, and he didn’t have the benefit of darkness to cloak him. His heart pounded mercilessly against his chest as he padded across the bathroom floor, down the carpeted hallway, and to Eli’s office. Soundlessly, he wrapped a hand around the knob. It didn’t budge.

Obstacle one.

He removed his lock-picking kit and worked the door. Once unlocked, the door gently slid open. His breath fled his chest when the door began to squeak. A sliver of a sound.

He cringed but slipped inside and managed to shut the door behind him.

He released a quiet breath and set to work.

Time was not only of the essence. It was the essence.

Everyone has a weakness.

For some, the weakness is food. Like Eli. His penchant for sweets had driven him to make many of his choices.

When it came to Isla, the woman seemed to adore shiny objects.

Steph had learned that the best way to the inside was by knowing the target. The more you know, the greater the chance you can crack a safe, open a door, distract a person. You don’t need guns; you don’t need weapons. You need to use your head.

“This is just a small thank-you for being so generous with your time, and taking such good care of Eli, and generally for being you,” Steph said, laying it on thick as she handed her the gift.

Isla seemed the kind of woman who liked praise. The kind of person for whom flattery truly would get you anywhere.

Step three—give the gift.

Isla batted her lashes and gazed lovingly at the white box with the blue bow. She held it to her chest briefly, like she was hugging it. She didn’t even know what it was. “Thank you. It’s so sweet of you to do this.”

“The pleasure is all mine. But I can’t take the credit. A little bird told me you might like them,” she said, gesturing to her stepfather.

He raised an eyebrow curiously.

“You two are the best,” Isla said as she tugged on the bow.

Steph’s pulse soared as she pictured Jake upstairs doing the dirty work. He was right. It had been far easier the last time when she hadn’t known what he was up to. This go-around she was nearly sweating nerves.

But she couldn’t let them see her sweat.

She narrowed her focus to Isla as the woman daintily unwrapped the bow.

That’s right. Take your sweet time.

She dropped the bow on the table. Pulled off the top. And gasped.

Really, it was nothing.

But it was everything.

Isla unwrapped a pair of mermaid earrings similar to the ones Steph had worn.

The Trojan horse.

That was all Steph needed to keep the happy couple occupied at the front door so Jake was free to work his side of the equation upstairs.

One minute and thirty-two seconds this time. He opened the door, fully prepared for a whole lot of nothing. With the way the case had gone so far, he wouldn’t be surprised if the safe was empty. But it wasn’t empty. He found exactly what he came for, and he wanted to kiss the sky as he filled his backpack, shut the safe, placed the coffee table photograph books in front of it, and rose. In half a minute, he’d be out the window.

A scream rang through the house.

Isla tapped her watch. “We really should go.”

Eli nodded. “Yes. We can’t be late to our own event.”

Isla’s nostrils flared. She sniffed the air. She placed her hand on Eli’s arms. “Darling. You forgot your aftershave. You never go to an event without it. It’s your signature scent. Go put some on.”

Steph’s eyes widened. Alarms blared in her head as Eli turned on his heels and lickety-split sprinted up the steps. Jake was in the office. Eli was on his way. She had to warn him. She flashed back to his words.
“Then we improvise.”