Page 30 of It Takes a Thief (Ring of Thieves #2)

Two Months Later…

S tanding in the salon while Brighton finishes touching up my makeup and Charity straightens the crown atop my head, I glance down at the sparkling diamond engagement ring on my finger. Today, I’m home, surrounded by friends and family, and I’m going to marry the man I love.

Life with Linc has been more wonderful than I could’ve possibly imagined. He makes me happier than I’ve ever been and treats me better than a princess. He’s made me his queen.

The morning after racing to Linc’s rescue and accepting his proposal, I called my parents to fill them in on all the dirty details about Jeffrey.

How he’d coerced Linc into stealing the crown, set him up to be arrested, then threatened my life if he refused to fight.

Of course, they were horrified. After providing the police with the evidence connecting Jeffrey to the break-in at my apartment and the attempted hit and run, he’s currently in a jail cell, without bail, and probably regretting his life choices.

When I told my parents about our engagement, they were thrilled.

“We would love for you to get married here,” my mom had said, her voice filled with hope.

Linc and I had already talked about it, and I told him it would make me happy to say our vows by the jasmine-covered cliffs on Arcadia where I’d once offered him an obscene amount of money to be my fake fiancé. I love the irony. Plus, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that there’s no place like home.

He’d chuckled and said we’d do whatever makes me happiest. Of course, my mom was thrilled and immediately started making wedding plans.

We also discussed my future as the Princess of Arcadia, and what I wanted that to be.

I explained how Arcadia was home, and how I would like to spend part of the year there, but also part of the year in Denver.

Linc had the brilliant idea of selecting a cabinet of trusted advisors to help us rule.

It made sense since my parents wanted to take certain things off their plate, to step back a bit from the day-to-day responsibilities.

I wasn’t surprised when they embraced the suggestion.

It’s important to me that they enjoy life more, too.

And now I’m about to walk down to the cliffs and exchange vows with Linc. I’ve never been so nervous and so excited at the same time.

“I can’t believe Linc is getting married,” Addie says. She’s holding my bouquet and straightens the silver ribbon wrapped around light pink peonies and white roses from the garden. “Out of us all, I always thought he’d be the one to remain single forever.”

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen,” Brighton murmurs. She steps back and nods. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Merritt. Linc isn’t going to know what hit him.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude for these women, for my family—both blood and found—and for the man I’m about to spend forever with.

The door opens and Hunter strides in, her russet-colored hair pulled back in a fancy twist and strewn with flowers. “They’re ready!” she announces.

The women all give me a big hug, and my throat tightens with emotion. Becoming best friends with Charity when I first moved to New York was the best thing ever. Now, I have three more amazing friends who feel like sisters. Plus, a couple of brothers in Knox and Ryder.

And, of course, I have Linc. My hand drifts down to cover my stomach. We also have a little something else, I think. He’s going to flip out when I tell him my news.

Clearing my throat, I accept my bouquet from Addie.

It’s time to marry the man I love.

∞∞∞

My parents spared no expense, and our wedding is dubbed “The Wedding of the Century.” When the people of Arcadia learned how Linc and I met, how he was my bodyguard and we fell in love, they called it a true fairytale.

Everything goes off magnificently and my heart squeezes when Linc chokes up during our vows. I may shed a tear, or ten, and when he kisses me beside the jasmine-covered cliffs with the sea hitting the rocks below, I feel his love for me to the depths of my soul.

The ceremony complete, we all move back inside where the main ballroom has been set up for a major celebration.

Extravagant would be putting it mildly. If I thought my birthday party was indulgent, this is beyond decadent, with a full orchestra, fountains of French champagne, endless flowers and so much food, I don’t even know where to begin.

My parents invited everyone to the reception, and I know it’s going to be an absolute whirlwind.

My simple, yet elegant, white satin gown shows off my curves and dips in the back. Right now, Linc’s warm hand rests low on my bare back and a shiver runs through me.

“Are you cold?” he asks, immediately noticing.

“No. Just thinking about our honeymoon.” We’re flying to the Greek island of Santorini after the reception, and I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to anything as much as I do this. We’re staying in a private, cliffside suite overlooking the Aegean Sea. It’s going to be epic.

“Oh, really?” His hand slides lower, fingers dipping precariously into the back of my dress.

Before I can respond, Linc’s crew sidles up. Addie, Brighton and Hunter give him hugs, while Knox and Ryder slap his back and kiss my cheek.

“So does this make you a prince?” Knox asks.

“Oh, God help us,” Ryder exclaims. “I am not bowing down to you.”

“Only Prince Consort,” Linc replies with a grin, and we all laugh. Then he sweeps me onto the dance floor, and I’ve never felt more like a princess. When I’m in his arms, looking up into his dark brown eyes, my heart somersaults.

“Nice crown,” he murmurs. “It’s giving me ideas.”

I arch a brow. “What kind of ideas?”

“The kind that involves you wearing it later tonight…and nothing else. I’m wondering if I can knock it off your head...with just the right amount of hip force.”

“You are so bad,” I whisper, “and I love it.”

He twirls me around, spinning me out then reeling me back in for a dip. Slowly, he pulls me back up, our gazes locked. I wasn’t planning on telling him until tonight, but the moment seems so perfect.

“Linc…”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Instead of saying the words, I take his big hand and drag it down over my belly. His espresso eyes go comically wide.

“You’re pregnant?”

I nod, and before I know it, he’s lifting me up and spinning me around.

When he finally sets me back down on my feet, I’m dizzy.

Then he leans down and captures my mouth in a kiss not exactly suitable for all the guests watching us.

But they laugh and cheer, clinking silverware against their glasses.

As the tinkling sound of approval fades, I wrap my arms tighter around his neck. “That was the best response I could’ve asked for.”

“Thank you, Princess,” he murmurs, almost reverently.

“For what?” I ask, searching his serious gaze.

“For believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For loving me fiercely. For racing across the ocean to come to my rescue. You’re a force to be reckoned with, and I can only imagine how tough our son is going to be.”

“What if we have a daughter?”

“Then I hope she’s just like you.” He drops a kiss against my lips. “But it’s a boy.”

He sounds so sure. “How do you know?” I ask.

He hesitates. “There’s this little voice I hear sometimes.”

“Voice?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know if it’s my mom or Angel, Addie’s mom, or just my conscience. All I know is it’s never wrong.”

“Does it say we’re going to be happy together?”

“Insanely happy together,” he tells me.

I smile up at him and he rewards me with another wicked kiss that makes my toes curl.

Once the dance is over, Linc makes sure I have a glass of sparkling grape juice since champagne is out of the question. I’m sure people notice, but I don’t care. We eat too much, dance even more, and I’d completely forgotten about my bouquet when Brighton runs up to me with it.

“You need to toss your bouquet,” she reminds me.

Linc nods. “Go on, sweetheart.”

“Be right back.” I leave him talking to Knox, Hunter and Ryder, and follow Brighton over to where a crowd of single ladies gather. I hold it up and wink at Charity. Then I get into position, facing the opposite way, and toss the flowers over my shoulder.

I hear the women screech in excitement and when I spin back around, I see Addie holding the bouquet. I’m not sure if she actually looks happy about it, but she grins good-naturedly and waves it in the air.

“Yay me,” she says, sounding less than thrilled.

I waggle my brows and start walking back to Linc when I hear a slight commotion. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a tall, good-looking man in a rumpled suit, with shaggy brown hair that’s a little too long, striding straight for Addie. She places her hands on her hips and frowns.

When he reaches her, it looks like they exchange a few heated words.

She defiantly tosses her hair over a shoulder and sends him what can only be described as a challenging look.

I have no idea what he says back, but the next thing I know, he plucks a pair of handcuffs from the belt concealed by his jacket and slaps them on her wrists.

My jaw drops, and I hurry over, along with Linc, Knox, Ryder, Brighton and Hunter.

“What’s going on?” I demand, and Linc moves up beside me, always in protector mode.

“Here to crash the party, Detective Vaughn?” Knox asks lazily. “I believe you’re a little out of your jurisdiction.”

Detective? I look up at Linc whose lips are flattened in annoyance. Policeman or not, he can’t just barge into our reception and arrest my friend. This isn’t the correct procedure, and he can’t make an arrest without Arcadia’s consent and accompanying law enforcement. I guarantee he knows it, too.

“I don’t know who you are,” I say tartly, lifting my chin, “but you have no power here in Arcadia.”

Detective Vaughn reaches into his pocket and pulls out a letter, flashing it so fast no one can get a good look. “The FBI disagrees, Princess Merritt. Sorry to interrupt your wedding party.”

He turns back to Addie, quickly tucking the letter back into his pocket. So fast, in fact, that it’s suspicious. Clearly, he doesn’t want anyone to question its authenticity.

“Addison Mae Mills, you are under arrest.”

Beside me, Linc growls, and I quickly place my arm in his, keeping him close to my side.

“This is bullshit,” Ryder exclaims.

“Let’s go,” Vaughn says, placing a hand against her lower back, but she jerks away.

“It is bullshit, and just so you know, I’ll be suing your ass, Detective.”

“Oh?” He lifts a thick, dark brow, and his lips twitch.

“Wrongful arrest, emotional distress, harassment…” She cocks her head, thinking. “And how about I add in some personal humiliation for crashing Linc and Merritt’s wedding and basically fucking up. Because whatever you think I did, you’re wrong.”

Vaughn full out grins, and Addie rolls her eyes. She doesn’t look scared or intimidated at all. In fact, this is the strangest arrest I could ever imagine. They almost seem…flirty. In a hate you/love you sort of way.

“Be that as it may, you’re coming with me, Miss Mills.”

“I hope your cell phone has international service because I want my damn phone call now ,” she demands as they walk away. “You have no idea the kind of connections I have, Vaughn. You just signed your damn pink slip.”

Her crew all exchange a look.

“So that’s the infamous Detective Cole Vaughn,” Hunter murmurs.

“In the flesh.” Brighton smirks. “Is it just me or is he kind of yummy?”

“Jesus,” Linc grumbles.

“Well? Now what?” Knox drawls. “Should we have Linc kick his ass?”

“Not tonight,” Linc states. “I’m going on my honeymoon.”

“No, please not tonight,” I insist.

“She’ll be alright,” Brighton murmurs. “The good detective has a massive crush on our girl. He’s not going to hurt her. He just wants her attention.”

“She’s in cuffs, B,” Ryder says.

Brighton shrugs a shoulder. “Total foreplay.”

“C’mon, Sparrow.” Knox takes Hunter’s hand. “We’ll make sure she’s okay and the good detective doesn’t get overly zealous.”

Linc tugs me away in the opposite direction. “She’ll be fine. No one messes with The Boss and gets away with it. Besides, we all know Vaughn has zero power here. That letter he flashed was a fake.”

“I think so, too. But, how can we be sure?”

“Trust me, sweetheart. I’m pretty good at spotting fake stuff. You remember I told you I was a thief, right?”

“You’re definitely a thief of hearts,” I concede.

“Right back at you.” He pulls me close. “Please, don’t worry.

I promise everything with Addie will get resolved in the next ten minutes, especially with Knox and Hunter on it.

We’ve got a honeymoon to look forward to, and I don’t want you to stress.

” He reaches down and lovingly brushes a hand over my stomach.

“I won’t.” I push up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his angular chin. “Besides, I can always banish him.”

He chuckles. “You really want to kick someone off this island, don’t you?”

“If I have to, I will. Just ask Jeffrey and his dirty cop.” I adjust my crown with a little smile. Banishing those two had been too much fun. “Now kiss your bride, my Prince Consort.”

“Yes, my Princess,” he dutifully responds and captures my mouth in a heated kiss full of promise for the night, and the rest of our lives, ahead.

Sighing softly, I eagerly return his kiss. I wasn’t sure I’d ever find it, but Linc gave this princess her happily ever after. And it has nothing to do with a castle or a kingdom or endless riches. It’s something much more valuable—a love so strong it could move mountains.

I guess sometimes it takes a thief to get the job done.

I hope you enjoyed Linc and Merritt’s story!