Page 19 of It Takes a Thief (Ring of Thieves #2)

S itting up straight, hands fidgeting, I try to remain composed as we soar above the clouds. But every mile we fly brings me that much closer to Arcadia and a future I’ve been trying so hard to avoid. The last twelve days have been heaven with Linc, and now it’s all slipping away.

Even though it’s impossible, I want Lincoln Decker with every fiber of my being. And I’d give up my crown and everything that comes with it in order to spend the rest of my life with him.

Don’t be foolish, Mer , I scold myself.

Linc never said he wanted anything more with me than the time we spent together.

It’s not like he confessed his undying love or proposed or even talked about a possible future together.

Yes, we had mind-blowing sex. Over and over.

But our time together was too short, and to think something more can come from it is only going to lead to heartbreak. My heartbreak.

Yet, I can’t stop thinking about how well we got to know each other in that short span of time.

We didn’t spend all of it between the sheets, and he was kind enough to realize I wanted to say goodbye to the city I’d grown so fond of over the past five years.

One morning, we visited my favorite café, got coffee and cronuts, then strolled through Central Park.

Another day, I mentioned how much I love the New York Public Library.

I’d discovered Linc is a voracious reader, and he’d suggested a trip.

We spent the entire afternoon roaming through stacks of books, wandering from one beautiful room to the next.

I know it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.

Linc even encouraged me to invite Charity over. We’d ended up cooking dinner, demolishing a bottle of wine and watching a romantic comedy. Call me crazy, but even though it wasn’t a martial arts flick, I think Linc liked it. He definitely laughed a couple times.

We also spent quiet moments together, reading and watching TV.

Moments that inevitably led to the most intense, most incredible sex I could possibly imagine.

Despite his initial warning about being rough and emotionally unavailable, the man I got to know on every level was kind, tender, considerate and a consummate lover.

I think waking up in Linc’s arms is what I’m going to miss most. I’d let myself forget—conveniently ignore?

—that our time together was only temporary.

Even the threats stopped, and we were allowed to enjoy each other fully.

So many emotions pummel me, and I sneak a glance over at him. He’s studying me closely, as though he can hear the thoughts tumbling around in my head.

“Are you alright?” he asks, voice low and concerned.

I force a nod. “I will be.” I try to infuse as much confidence as I can into the words, but they seem to fall flat. I’ve never been a very good actress and tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.

We share a look, and he must know I’m starting to crumble inside. Our hands reach out and we lace fingers. He’s holding my hand just as tightly as I’m holding his, and we don’t let go for the rest of the flight.

∞∞∞

The scent of jasmine and the salty Mediterranean Sea welcomes me home from the moment we step off the jet and, right away, the whirlwind begins. A large crowd is gathered, holding signs. They cheer and wave, calling out, “ Princesse! Bienvenue à la maison, Princesse! ”

Linc tries to usher me straight to the waiting car, but I pause and look over at all the people waiting. “I need to say hello,” I tell him.

“That’s not a good idea.”

“I have to,” I insist, and he scowls. “Or rather, I want to.”

I have no idea how long they’ve been waiting here, and the least I can do is say hello.

“I don’t like you being out in the open with this crowd,” he growls, moving closer. “Let’s make it quick.”

“Relax, my big, bad bodyguard,” I tease.

“Not gonna happen.”

I chuckle and we walk over to the barricade.

Breathing the salty air deep into my lungs, I don what I call my princess facade.

People reach for me, and I shake hands, touch elbows and smile until my cheeks hurt.

I thank every single person I come into contact with, and by the time I make my way to the end of the line, my arms are full of flowers and Linc is holding several small gifts, including a teddy bear.

“We can go,” I tell him, and he grunts, escorting me to the car.

Leo has already loaded our luggage into the trunk, and I set the flowers down on the back seat and give him a big hug.

“Welcome home, Princess,” he says.

“Thank you, Leo.” I wish I could say it’s good to be back, but my heart isn’t quite there. Looking over at Linc’s larger than life presence, I don’t think it ever will be either. Because I know he’s going to take a huge part of it with him when he leaves.

Leo drives us back to the royal estate and my parents welcome me with open arms. They’re so happy, and I almost feel a little guilty for feeling so miserable.

Until Jeffrey Dumas steps into the room.

I try not to look annoyed as I take in his formal suit and the cocky look on his clean-cut face.

It strikes me how different he is from Linc—blond hair, blue eyes, cleanly shaven and possessing a smarmy smile that in no way makes my knees go weak.

He’s also about eight inches shorter than Linc, and I’m pretty sure Jeffrey’s soft hands wouldn’t know how to form a proper fist, much less throw a punch or hold a gun.

“Hello, Merritt. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by, but I couldn’t wait a moment longer to see you.”

He strides over and I stiffen when he embraces me. I look over at Linc who has a thunderous expression on his face. Jeffrey turns to Linc and holds out a hand.

“Jeffrey Dumas,” he says cordially.

A muscle flexes in Linc’s cheek. After a brief hesitation, he shakes Jeffrey’s hand. “Linc Decker.”

Jeffrey squints at Linc then smiles. “As in Lincoln ‘Lights Out’ Decker, former MMA fighter?”

Linc shifts uneasily. “That’s me.”

“I’m a big fan,” Jeffrey gushes. “How many UFC titles do you have? Like four?”

“Two.”

“Well, hey, that’s still impressive. We should talk.

” His voice drops into a casual tone I’m not sure I’ve ever heard from him as he continues to ignore me in favor of Linc.

Meanwhile, my mom starts talking about the party tomorrow night, but I tune her out, still trying to hear Linc and Jeffrey’s conversation.

“Underground fights,” Jeffrey says in a low voice. “Big money involved. I could hook you up.”

Did I hear him right? What does Jeffrey know about fights?

“And then there’ll be the band, of course,” my mother continues, chattering away. “Come into the ballroom, I want you to see where I’m planning to have the musicians.”

I keep sneaking looks back at Linc and Jeffrey while my parents fill me in on all the details for the big birthday bash they’ve planned—from the food to the decorations to the entertainment.

It’s also a welcome home party, and they’ve invited so many people.

Information overload hits and my head begins to spin.

A hand touches my elbow, and I turn to look up into Linc’s concerned eyes. “Are you okay?”

He must know I’m feeling overwhelmed. No matter what is happening around us, he makes me a priority, always making sure I’m taken care of and comfortable.

He sees me like no one else ever has before, which makes me wonder if he’s just damn good at his job, or maybe I mean more than a paycheck to him.

Jeffrey, on the other hand, is chuckling over something with my father and has barely looked twice at me.

My parents invited Linc to stay for the party tomorrow night and help with the security, but after that, his job is officially over, and he’ll return home.

So, am I okay? No, not even a little bit.

Knowing that Linc is leaving is becoming more and more real with every passing second, and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do without his big, solid presence beside me. He hasn’t left my side in over two straight weeks, and it feels like we’ve known each other so much longer.

“I think I need to lie down,” I say, touching my temple.

“C’mon, I’ll give you some Tylenol and get you settled in your room,” Linc offers.

“I can help her,” Jeffrey says.

“No, it’s fine,” I tell Jeffrey. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

He quickly covers the disappointment that flashes across his face, moves closer and places a chaste kiss on my cheek. I try not to flinch. “See you tomorrow then.”

Linc turns me away from my parents and Jeffrey, and he guides me down the breezy corridors until we reach my bedroom. It’s the same furniture, same flowery bedspread, same sheer curtains billowing in the breeze that greets me. Yet, at the same time, nothing is the same.

Because I’ve changed.

Physically and mentally. Emotionally, too.

Before Linc, I was dead set on staying in New York.

My only goal was escaping my royal duties, and I thought that simply meant finding a significant other.

But I’m beginning to realize not just anyone will do.

Only one man makes my heart skip within my chest and challenges me in ways no one else dares.

Linc feeds my soul and lights my heart. If I can’t have him, then I don’t want anyone.

It’s a scary conclusion, but there’s no point denying the truth. Maybe I should make a sign, too, like the people who welcomed me at the airport. Except mine would read: “Linc or Bust.”

After Linc hands me a couple of Tylenol, I swallow them down with a sip of water from the bottle I’ve been clutching since I stepped off the plane.

“Take a nap,” he encourages me. “I’m going to check in with Addie. If you need anything, I’ll be right next door.”

“Thank you.” After I crawl into bed, he tilts his chin and leaves, quietly closing the door behind him.

My chest tightens with emotion because I know he’s calling Addie to set up his flight home.