Chapter Eighteen Cole
The moment Addie steps into the room, all the breath in my lungs whooshes out. She affects me like nothing else. But I can’t let it show. Not here, not now. I need to remain cool and detached. The consummate professional whose biggest concern at the moment is protecting the Phoenix Kiss.
Hans Seung strides over and takes her hand, shaking it longer than necessary. “It’s so good to see you again, Addison. I fear my necklace is going to pale in comparison to your beauty.”
Oh, please. He’s hitting on her, and I don’t fucking like it. Not one little bit.
“Thank you, Mr. Seung. That’s too kind of you to say,” she gushes, all fluttering lashes. “But I don’t think anything will outshine the true guest of honor tonight.”
Seung turns and unlocks the briefcase, revealing the stunning diamond and ruby necklace. “You’re going to give this beauty a run for its money,” he says, gingerly lifting it from the velvet lining and unclasping it.
I grit my teeth as she lifts her thick waves, turns around and allows him to fasten it around her slim neck. His fingers lightly graze her bare shoulders as they move away, and my jaw threatens to snap because I’m clenching it so hard.
Nice try, Seung, but she’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.
Addie slowly turns around, touches the dazzling necklace and smiles. “I’ve never worn history,” she murmurs. “It’s truly an honor, Mr. Seung, and an experience I’ll never forget. Thank you.”
“I know you’re an expert in the antiquities field, and having you wear the Phoenix Kiss tonight—someone who truly appreciates its astounding value—is all I could ask for.” He extends his arm to her. “Shall we dazzle everyone?”
“We shall,” she answers in a flirty voice and links her arm through his. “Time to share your treasure with the world.”
Two armed guards fall into place beside them, their only task to stick to Addie like glue. I’ll be monitoring from the side, along with her crew, and we’ll be watching out for any potential threats or trouble from some of the shady characters in attendance tonight.
At this point, we’re as prepared as we can possibly be.
The gallery lights dim and an excited murmur moves through the guests. Showtime.
The entire room becomes immersed in a 3D spectacular, the walls coming alive with images as a narrator begins speaking.
Everyone listens to the story detailing the necklace’s infamous history, mentioning several famous necks it has graced—including Marie Antoinette, the French Queen who died by the guillotine.
While the guests are absorbed in the presentation, I wander over to the side of the room, my attention sweeping the crowd.
All the women drip with sparkling jewels and the men sport designer tuxedos that probably cost more than my annual salary.
I case the exit points, locate the cameras angled in each ceiling corner and attempt to pinpoint Nyx, Diamond and Warrant, but instead spot Brighton who winks at me with a little smirk.
It never occurred to me that Addie might’ve told her friend about us.
And now I’m standing here wondering just how much the petite raven-haired thief is privy to.
Because that amused, knowing look on her face makes me think she’s completely aware that Addie and I have been banging each other nonstop.
The idea that Addie talked about me, possibly mentioning our sexual exploits, makes me puff my chest out more, boosting my ego. I wish I knew what the women talked about, but no time to worry about that now.
Addie’s crew is spread out, also keeping a close eye on things, and I notice Decker directly across from me, and we exchange nods. The only one I haven’t managed to find yet is Knox.
The whole thing lasts exactly twelve minutes and forty-two seconds. Then the lights come back on, and Seung escorts Addie front and center where a small platform awaits. The curator of the exhibit introduces Seung and a spotlight shines on the Phoenix Kiss, glittering around Addie’s neck.
While Seung takes questions from the audience, I tune out, my attention surfing over the large gallery. I’m about to walk forward when a deep voice says, “If you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”
Turning, I see Knox Beckett move up beside me.
He’s tall with brown hair and bright blue eyes the color of sapphires.
He’s the one they call The Charmer. The first recruited by Angel when she formed her ring of thieves.
He recently became engaged to Hunter McGrath, a former Navy pilot, and is the youngest of six with five older sisters.
Other than those easy-to-gather facts from my background report on him, I don’t know too much else.
But it looks like I can add overly protective.
“I’m protecting her,” I respond in a low voice.
“Are you? Or are you furthering your agenda?”
“And what agenda would that be?” I ask, even though we both know damn well I’ve been trying to catch her for a year now.
“Nice try. We all know your end goal, Detective.”
I don’t confirm or deny it. But I do know things have changed.
And, for some reason, a part of me wants to let Knox know.
Maybe because he and Addie seem to have a close relationship.
I hope like hell it was never overly close.
The guy is stupidly good-looking and smooth beyond measure.
He’s engaged, I remind myself. There’s no history of them ever dating, either.
At least none that I could find. And, trust me, I looked.
“Goals can change,” I tell him. “You can stand down, Beckett. Locking Addie up isn’t on my agenda.”
His eyes narrow. “And I’m supposed to believe you?
Just take your word for it? After the way you’ve been chasing her—our whole team—down like it was your only life ambition.
All you’ve wanted to do is destroy Addie and A-Squared.
Put her away and eliminate the company she and her mother built together. The only thing she has left of Angel.”
Shit. When you put it that way, I sound like a first-class asshole. “That’s not my intention,” I say quietly. “Not anymore.”
“Then what the hell is, Vaughn?”
Clapping fills the gallery, clueing me in that the mini Q&A is over. “I already told you—to protect Addie. In case you’ve forgotten, someone tried to kill her.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” he states darkly. “When we find out who’s responsible, there’s going to be hell to pay.” I merely nod. “Have you discovered anything?”
“I’m working on it,” I answer vaguely, not intending to share any details from the case. Not that I have any major leads or anything to share.
“How about you work a little faster?” he suggests, straightening his cuffs.
How about you go fuck yourself? I think, echoing Addie’s words to me. But I bite my tongue because I know Knox has Addie’s best interests in mind. Same as me.
I’m about to end this conversation when he touches his ear and murmurs, “Copy.” Then he looks at me and a slow smile spreads across his face.
“Ryder just spotted Bella Diamond. She’s the platinum blonde in the gold dress.” He slides a hand in his pocket and sends me a look that can only be described as a challenge. “All the players are here, Detective Vaughn. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”
Before I can answer, he turns on his heel and saunters away. Clenching my fists, I consider his question.
Swindlers, con artists, thieves… I hate them and what they did to my family.
They destroyed my dad—literally helped kill him.
Ever since then, I’ve vowed to put them all away.
I became a police detective to be part of the solution.
Another good guy on the force intent on stopping them from hurting innocent people.
And I’ve been hellbent and tenacious in my quest to clean up Denver.
But somewhere along the way, I fell for the woman I wanted to bring down most.
My gaze slides over to Addie, surrounded by gala guests who are admiring the necklace and chatting it up with her, Seung and the curator. She’s so damn beautiful it makes my heart ache. She makes me feel things I never thought possible, want things I only thought existed in movies and books.
Get your head out of the clouds, Vaughn. You have a job to do. But I have a terrible feeling she’s never going to forgive me for it.
Hell, I may never forgive myself for what I’m about to do.