Big Ben (See No Evil Trilogy #1) - Nana Malone Page 0,79
give you to have you on our side?”
Rowan Downs met my gaze. “I want the Canary Jewel.”
I frowned, certain that I hadn’t heard him correctly. “What?”
“The Canary Jewel.”
My mouth unhinged. “That massive yellow diamond that April Van Linsted trots out at all her charity functions? That thing is the size of my fist. You want the Canary Jewel?”
He sniffed. “Yes, I do. What nobody knows is that jewel belongs to the Kimberly Downs Mining Conglomerate. It was a gift from my great grandfather to his fiancée. On the eve of the night they were supposed to wed, she vanished. She’d been having an affair with Harrison Van Linsted. She took the jewel and ran. She couldn’t very well be prosecuted because it had been a very public gift for her birthday. But she married Van Linsted, taking our prized jewel with her. I want it back in my family. If you bring me that jewel, I will sway whoever the fuck you want.”
I stared at him. “How would you suggest I get it? That thing is priceless.”
“Well then, it is handy that you’re a billionaire, isn’t it?”
“You know full well April Van Linsted is not going to sell that.”
He shrugged. “I’ve given you my price. If you can do the impossible, you’ll have my support.”
Impossible was right. “You’ll have it. Before the vote.”
He gave me a brusque nod. “I look forward to it. I want it home. I don’t care how you get it or what means you have to employ. But I want it back at Kimberly Downs.”
I didn’t know how, but I was going to have to make it happen. Good thing you happen to know a jewel thief.
Bridge and East weren’t going to be thrilled about this development. I heard the three taps in my ear, and it startled me. “Rowan, always a pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”
He nodded. “I look forward to our partnership.”
I turned just in time to see Livy angling her head awkwardly toward the door. The three taps meant Van Linsted was on his way. I ducked out the side door and met her in the hallway.
“Are you okay?” My gaze swept over her several times.
“Yeah, I’m fine. He is dreadful. He talks about himself in third person. He seems to think he’s God’s gift to women. Do you know he propositioned me? Slid his hotel key into my purse and told me to come and see him later.”
I scowled. “He what?” Arsehole. I could kill him. That would solve everyone’s problem.
“It’s fine, I handled it.”
The idea that Van Linsted could put his hands on her... I started for the door, and she held me back. “I thought the idea was not to be seen.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
Her hand slid into mine easily. We were the perfect picture of a couple slipping out into the night for some fresh air. She turned her face up to me with a sweet smile. “Did you get what you needed?”
I swallowed because no, I did not, in fact, have anything I needed. But I gave her a tight smile and nodded. “Yeah, he’s going to help me.”
“That’s fantastic. What did he ask for in return?”
I shook my head. “Something I’m not sure I can give.”
“I’m sorry. But maybe this can help.” She pulled a black phone from her purse.
“What’s that?”
With an impish grin that showed a hint of dimple, she said, “Bram Van Linsted’s phone. And bonus, I watched him enter the code.”
I froze. “Y-you stole his phone?”
“Yeah. He was touching me, so I figured I could touch him. Though we probably want to copy or clone it, or whatever it is you do, before he notices it’s gone.”
“Woman, I think I love you.”
“Sorry, you’ll have to join the queue. I’m pretty brilliant.”
“Yes. Yes, you are.”
“I didn’t really do anything special.”
“You did more than you know. I mean that. And as a reward, tomorrow I’m going to show you Paris.”
She treated me to another showstopper of a smile. “What?”
“I’m serious. I know we planned two days of work, but I want to be able to show you the city.”
She grinned and threw her arms around my shoulders. Then she stood on tiptoes and gave me a complete toe to chest to shoulder hug. I could feel all her pulsing points pressed against me, hot, warm, and soft. The scent of lime and honey wrapping around me, cutting off my oxygen supply so that I couldn’t think rationally. I don’t know where