Page 114 of Steal My Heart

There’s a knock on the door. “Boss. Is Remi ready for her swim lessons?”

“Give us a moment,” Angelo calls to Maks.

“I have dark moods,” he warns me.

“I’m well aware of your broody bastard streak,” I tease him.

“There are things about my business that you can’t know,” he continues.

“As long as your secrets don’t involve another woman, I’m okay with that,” I decide.

He raises an eyebrow. “You’re nosier than Nola.”

“I’lltryto be okay with that,” I amend.

“Do you want children?” Angelo asks.

“You’re going to hate this answer, but maybe? How about you?”

“I would have said under no circumstances.” Angelo’s voice is soft, his eyes never leaving mine. “But a little pickpocket has upended my world view.”

“I’m going to need a new nickname. After tomorrow’s heist, I’m going straight,” I inform him.

He gives me a dubious look. “Really?”

“I am! Well, I’ll still probably rob you, but that doesn’t count if I give your stuff back.”

His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “Speaking of, I’m still owed my watch.”

“Excuse me, but I’ve been sort of busy here being politely kidnapped and then playing houseguest and now being?—”

“Mine,” he finishes for me. “I said you belong to me, Remi, and I meant it. All or nothing. What’s left of my cold heart is yours.”

“Such a flair for melodrama.” I lean in, pressing a kiss on his chest where his heart beats steadily.

He grabs my throat, forcing me to look at him.

“I’m not a good man.”

“You are, you just can’t see it,” I argue against his hold.

“Those rose colored glasses you warned me about; they still don’t work in my world.”

“Try them on; you could pull off the rose shade with your skin tone.” He could pull off any shade with his lovely olive skin tone, now that I think about it.

Totally unfair.

He presses his lips to mine with a growl before releasing me. “Go learn to swim.”

“I take it back; you’re a monster.” I huff.

Angelo’s hands move to his belt, working it out of the loops. He takes it in his hands, making itsnap. “If that’s what you wish.”

“I’m going!” I shriek, and I’m up and running out the door. Maybe I’d be into it, but now isn’t the time to find out.

Remi

“Hey, Remi,” Alessandra calls, seated on the ledge of the deep end. Maks is lurking nearby with his arms crossed.