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“She’s right,” Jasper added.

“Jaysus love us,” Colum muttered.

“What do you mean smash and grab?”Xavier asked, though he was fighting a smile at Colum’s words and expression.

“Smash a window, climb in, grab what you want, and get out,” Jasper said.“If I were you, I’d grab a few other things too.”

“We can, but they’re still going to suspect me,” Annie said.

Jasper shrugged.“Even if they do, it’s going to be a low priority for the cops.No one hurt, minimal property damage, and a low-value item.You didn’t give them an offer in writing, did you?”

Annie shook her head.“No.I offered an insane amount for it, given what it is, but they have no proof of that.On paper, it’s worth less than a thousand dollars.”

“Don’t forget,” Jasper added, “if the museum claims it was worth more than that, they risk pissing off their insurance company by under-insuring it.”

“Ah, Ihadforgotten about the insurance angle, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”Jasper grinned.“I better go before my husband finds out I’m helping someone rob a museum.Then again, he’s fun when he’s riled up.”Jasper winked, and they all chuckled.

“Thank you again,” Annie said before ending the call.

The cab pulled to a stop outside the museum.It was late, and the street was dark.Xavier slid out first, holding the door as Annie shoved money through the slot in the partition.Colum had barely closed the door before the cab drove off.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Colum muttered.

“Xavier, take him back to the hotel.”Annie didn’t hesitate, and the words were undeniably an order.

“No, ye aren’t going to rob a museum without me,” Colum countered.

“Then stop whining about how thievery is wrong.”Annie started up the half flight of steps to the front door.Xavier put an arm around Colum.At the top of the steps, he turned, pulling Colum against him in an embrace.

Colum hesitated only a moment, then looped his arms over Xavier’s shoulders.It felt more than good.It felt right.Xavier’s cheek still hurt, and it felt tender like it would bruise, though his short beard would hide it, unlike the bruise on Colum’s face.

Their gazes met, and Xavier wanted to blame the way his pulse was racing on the embrace that served as cover for Annie’s actions, her smaller body hidden from street view by theirs.

Colum pulling him off Annie, punching him, and then standing guard over her had left him feeling more than just sexually attracted to the other man.He’d been pissed about getting hit in the face, but looking at Colum as he stood, feet planted, shoulders squared as if he’d take on an army to protect Annie, had done things to Xavier that he hadn’t expected.Irritation born of the pain from taking a punch and amusement at Colum’s innocent misreading of the situation had both faded to the deeper emotion.

The bright green of Colum’s eyes was muted, given the only illumination was a security light above the door of the dentist office next door and a streetlight on the corner half a block away.Xavier wanted to kiss him until those gorgeous green eyes closed in bliss.

The shattering of glass startled Xavier enough that he looked away from Colum.

Annie had broken one of the panes of glass in the tall, narrow window beside the door.

“Don’t look at me, you idiots,” she hissed.“Kiss him or something.”

Xavier jerked his attention back to Colum just as the other man leaned in, pressing his lips to Xavier’s.Except they were both still wearing masks.

The ridiculousness of the moment seemed to strike them both at the same time, as they started laughing.The sound covered the tinkling of glass as Annie knocked out a few more shards and then reached in.

A second later, the door was open, and a second after that, an alarm started blaring.

Annie grabbed Colum’s elbow and yanked him inside, Xavier hot on his heels.She closed and locked the door, tapping something on her watch.

“Spread out and grab something,” she ordered.“Nothing genuinely valuable.”

The alarm was so loud it was almost physically painful, but Xavier nodded.He knew what he was going to take.

Darting down the central hall, he stopped in front of the display with the newspaper.Unlatching the case, he swung the glass open, taking out the faux paper.