Page 138 of Disarming Caine

“Once they verify the paintings, the checks will be in the mail.” He grinned at me.

Before he could say it, I held up a hand. “Not ready to sign the other letter yet. But this helps with the portfolio we discussed, I hope?”

“Very much. I’ll make sure the right people hear about this.”

“Do you think it’s linked to your smuggling case?” I looked in the direction Antonio had disappeared.

“I can say this much: It looks like Parker’s girlfriend, Cam-ron, and the real estate agent were in the dark about everything. We found cameras inside that captured your visits to the house, which is likely how he identified you.”

Antonio appeared out of a store and waved a book at me. My insides went all liquidy at the sight of him.

“And just a little more than I should share…” Elliot waved to Antonio but kept talking to me. “We raided the pawnshop in Detroit and are going through items and records to see if we can track any more information about who was supplying them. We’re working on further warrants for the people who allegedly sold the stolen paintings to them, but that’s proving more difficult than we expected.”

Before Antonio was in earshot, I whispered, “Is the Ferraro family involved?”

“I’ve already made you the offer. I’ll just keep baiting the hook until you bite.” He patted me on the back and went to wait for his row to be called.

Antonio kissed me on the cheek when he arrived. “Any news from Special Agent Skinner?”

“Same old same old.”

He smirked. “Trying to steal my girlfriend away from me?”

“Pretty much. He’s heading to Rome for some meetings.”

“We should day trip up and have a visit. I can show him around the city.”

I leaned over to pick up his duffel, but he waved me away. “I don’t think he’ll be there that long.”

“Just as well.” He hefted the bag over his left shoulder, wincing. “Sharing you with Mario will be bad enough.”

As we walked down the gangway to the plane, I put my hand on his back and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I love you, Antonio.”

“I love you, too, bella.”

THE END