Chapter Six
Bella drives us to a small private airport where a jet waits to fly us to Austria. As we board, I can’t help but wonder who’s bankrolling this operation. I originally had a feeling it was more than just a job. Something deeply personal to her. But maybe I’m wrong.
I stow my duffel bag but keep my laptop at my feet within easy reach. My life is on my computer, and I never let it out of my sight. At least not for very long. And never in a place where I’m not familiar or completely comfortable.
Sitting down in a plush leather seat, I buckle up. Bella sits directly across the aisle, and I find myself wishing the seats were closer together. But there are only four, and I suppose having her across from me is better than behind me where I can’t see her at all.
“If you want my help, you better fill me in.” I shift to face her as the plane begins taxiing toward the runway. “Why don’t we start with who you’re working for?”
“I’m working for myself,” she snaps.
Okay, definitely at least something personal going on there. “No need to get touchy.”
“I’m not.” She sighs, taking a moment to regroup. “A very wealthy, private collector wants me to find the Phantom Orchid for him.”
I feel like there’s more to the story, but I can tell that’s all I’m going to get from her. Doesn’t mean I won’t push my luck for more. “So, this is just a job? And then you’re going to hand it over?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“You don’t plan to keep it for yourself?”
Her eyes narrow. “Because that’s what thieves do, right? Lie? Steal? Go back on their word? Always in it for themselves?”
“Not always. I’ve taken things and then given them to others.”
“Spare me your Robin Hood stories. Stealing is stealing, but if it helps you sleep better at night, believe whatever you want.”
The way she pronounces her R’s, especially now when she sounds upset, snags my attention. “You’re British.” It’s not a question, and her eyes widen slightly.
“Do you always pry this much?”
“I find you fascinating,” I admit, watching her reaction. Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. “So sue me if I want to find out more about you.”
“There’s nothing fascinating about me. What you see is what you get.”
“I see so much,” I murmur, my gaze moving over her face and downward like a caress. “Yet not all of it is true.”
She audibly swallows, shifting in her seat. “Are you always this annoying?”
“Stop trying to change the subject.”
“You’re the one who keeps changing the subject. I want to talk about the Phantom Orchid and you want to discuss my accent.”
“I do. Your very British accent. Why do you hide it?” I press. “I’m sure it’s lovely.” For whatever reason, I enjoy teasing this woman to the point she gets so riled up, she looks ready to spit.
“Bloody hell!” she practically screeches. And this time, she doesn’t bother covering it. “Yes, I’m British! Are you happy now?”
“Yes, actually, I am.” I send her a very pleased smile. “It’s even nicer than I’d imagined.”
She huffs out a breath and crosses her arms. Even though she’s wearing a sweatshirt, there’s no missing the perfect set of breasts she’s unintentionally pushing up. “Can we discuss the reason I need you?”
Her word choice makes me grin even bigger. “You need me?” I ask, voice dropping suggestively. My attention also drops, zeroing in on what I’m guessing are a pair of perfect C’s.
“I’m seriously re-thinking this arrangement,” she fires back. “Maybe I should’ve kidnapped your big fighter friend instead. He seems much quieter.”
A spark of jealousy zips through me. I’m not normally a possessive man, but the idea of Linc sitting here with Bella instead of me bothers me for reasons I’m not willing to examine too closely right now.
“Fine, be like that. Shop talk it is then.” I pull my gaze off her delectable rack and meet her false gray eyes. “What do I need to know about this supposedly lost purple diamond?”
She uncrosses her arms, relaxing slightly. “I’m sure you’re aware of the history and rumors, right?”
“History was never my favorite subject. I excelled in computer class and lunch.”
“Are you ever serious?”
“Occasionally, if the situation warrants it.”
“Well, I loved history and hated computer class,” she states.
“What about lunch?” I tease, and she rolls her eyes.
“Anyway, in 1938, Empress Sophie owned the Phantom Orchid. She was staying with a close friend, Prince Pálffy, at Heidenreichstein Castle when Germany invaded Austria. They fled before the Nazis showed up because royalty were being killed and imprisoned, their homes and castles pilfered and used for Nazi strongholds. No one ever saw the diamond again, and Sophie claimed it was lost. But I think she hid it right before they left the castle.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because if they were stopped, the Nazis would’ve confiscated it.
” She pulls in a deep breath then reveals her secret.
“The individual who hired me came into possession of a map showing secret tunnels beneath Heidenreichstein Castle. Tunnels that no one knows exist—except for you, me and him. And probably whoever attacked us at the safehouse. I think Sophie hid the Phantom Orchid down there before escaping. It makes perfect sense.”
“Possibly.” I’m not completely sold. “Or maybe it was stolen and then lost like so many other treasures during the war.”
“It’s there,” she insists.
“If she did hide it, don’t you think she would’ve returned at some point to retrieve it?”
“She died before the war ended.”
There’s no swaying her and I can see she truly believes the diamond is there.
“And you need me to help you break in, find it and then verify its authenticity.”
“Correct.”
“I’m going to need to see this map.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She reaches for her purse and retrieves a folded piece of paper. “It’s a copy of the original, but still legible.”
I take the map and carefully unfold it. For a long moment, I study the detailed schematics of Heidenreichstein Castle and its hidden underground passageways. “You’re assuming no one has found and searched these tunnels.” I look up, locking gazes with her. “Why?”
“Because they haven’t,” she states, all sexy confidence. “No one knows this story better than me. And those tunnels?” She points to the map. “That’s a new and very significant discovery.”
I’m still not completely convinced and make a noncommittal sound.
“I don’t need you to believe it, Ryder. I just need you to help me break inside.”
“That could be a big problem.” After studying the map, I’m not overly happy about what I see.
“We’re looking at breaching a very fortified castle wall.
There’s a drawbridge, a keep that measures fourteen meters high, and several strong-looking, circular towers.
Not to mention, all the cameras and alarms and fun modern stuff they’ve installed to keep thieves out. ”
“You’re saying you can’t do it?”
“No.” I hand her the map back. “But you’re definitely going to make me work.”
“It’s breachable,” she declares with a flip of her ponytail. “We just need to figure out how to get inside a castle that no enemy in history has ever been able to take.”
“Exactly.” I rake a hand through my hair, sitting back in my seat. Time to rack my brain. Because if I’ve learned anything from working at A-Squared, it’s that there’s always a way.
By the time we land in Vienna, I think I’ve figured out how to get us into the castle, but I haven’t told Bella yet because I want to take a tour and check things out firsthand.
Online information is only so reliable, and decades old maps—especially unverifiable ones like the one Bella has—are notoriously untrustworthy.
She gets us tickets online for tomorrow morning, so there’s not much more I can plan until I’m able to scope the medieval joint out in person.
There’s a car waiting when we step off the plane, and we toss our bags into the back. She climbs into the driver’s seat, so I take shotgun. “Where are we staying?” I ask.
“Off-grid. A friend’s house in the country.”
A male friend? I can’t help but wonder how close she and this friend are, but there’s no way I’m asking.
She’s a beautiful woman who probably has men tripping over her.
But she’s also a bit prickly and, if I had to guess, quite particular.
Our earlier conversation comes careening back to me.
The one when she said sex was overrated.
I’d never describe sex as being overrated, and I’ve always enjoyed a good romp.
I’m going to take a wild guess and say her bedmates have been selfish pricks who never took the time to appreciate or pleasure her.
Lucky for her, I enjoy a good challenge.
And I’d love a chance to try to change her mind. Figure out how to rock her world.
When we reach the place where we’re staying, a little cottage with a lot of charm, I’ve already imagined six different ways I could use my mouth and fingers alone to make Bella come.
Later. If I’m extremely lucky and she warms up to me, I might have a chance to kiss her. And that’s a really big “if.”
Slow your roll, McKay. One thing at a time. Purple diamond then, if I’m extremely lucky, Bella Diamond.
We grab our bags and walk up the pathway to the small house. I watch Bella lift the mat, pluck up a key and unlock the door. Security must not be much of an issue around here. Ironic, I think, because here we are—two thieves casually strolling into the place.
There are two bedrooms, all clean and ready for us, and a pantry and refrigerator stocked with the basics. Clearly, someone prepared the place for our arrival.
“I need to call Addie,” I say after everything is situated. Bella doesn’t look happy about it, but I don’t care. “If I don’t, she’ll worry, and then my whole crew will show up here. If you don’t want that—”
“I don’t.”
“Then let me call her. I’ll tell her I had to leave town for a few days.”
“Fine,” she relents with a pout.
She’s freaking adorable. Smothering a smile, I place a quick call to Addison Mills and explain how I had to leave, but that I’ll be back soon.
“Is everything okay?” Addie asks, and I’m not surprised. She’s extremely perceptive.
“Grand,” I reply easily. “Just have to take care of some personal stuff. Nothing too serious.”
“Well, if you need anything, you just have to ask.”
“Thanks, Addie. I’ll be home soon. Don’t miss me too much,” I tease.
A dark look passes over Bella’s face, and I can’t help but wonder why. Is she jealous? I sure hope so.
After saying goodbye, I pocket my phone and aim my focus directly at Bella.
“You need to know something.” I strive to sound serious and try not to chuckle at the look on her face.
Like she’s dreading that I’m about to reveal I’m an axe murderer or, worse, I’m one of those weirdos who pays to watch creators do naked jumping jacks on OnlyFans.
“What?” she asks, voice laced in suspicion.
“I’m not leaving here without getting the most famous Austrian food of all.”
The worried look on her face dissolves as she visibly relaxes. “Oh? And what’s that?”
“Wiener schnitzel.”
She bursts out laughing. “To be honest, I’m not even sure what that is exactly.”
“You’re in for a treat, Miss Diamond.” I swipe the car key up. “C’mon, I’m driving.”