Page 77 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire

“One in front,” Cole said.

Theo’s jaw flexed. “Markos, you cover the west. I’ll take the east side.”

He and Markos fanned out—quiet, coordinated. The front guard went down with a muffled grunt courtesy of Cole.

“Back sentries neutralized,” Angel said.

“Show off,” Cole muttered.

“See if you can enter without being seen,” Theo instructed.

“Roger that,” both men replied.

Theo rounded the corner toward the east of the property?—

—and froze.

There, dangling halfway out a second-story window, was Rose.

Using curtains and bed linen.

As. A. Rope.

Is she insane?

Her hair was a glorious mess. Her jeans were ripped, her knuckles white as she clung to the makeshift rope. She was hissing as she stared upward.

“You’re supposed to wrap it around your hand—no, your hand, Allegra!”

A second pair of legs—dressed in an expensive skirt rather than climbing gear—poked awkwardly out of the window above her. Allegra Rossi, clearly not a fan of heights, was clinging in terror to the makeshift curtain rope like it was a live electrical wire.

“I am wrapping it!” Allegra snapped back. “This is a terrible idea!”

“I told you to throw your shoes out. You can’t climb in six-inch heels. Kick them off. Just don’t hit me. I knew I should have made you go first!”

“Why?” Allegra demanded, glaring down over her shoulder.

“So if I fall, I’d have someone to land on,” Rose snapped.

“Ha-ha,” Allegra retorted, slipping several inches with a low cry before she closed her eyes and clung to the knotted material.

Theo pinched the bridge of his nose. “Christos!Markos, I need your help,” he muttered under his breath.

Seconds later, Markos appeared at his side, his lips twitching when he saw where Theo was staring. “Want me to get them down?”

Theo’s glare shut that down immediately. “I’ll get Rose.”

He sprinted forward into the open. “Agápi mou… are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Rose stiffened, a surprised cry of delight escaping her as she whipped her head around to stare down at him. The relief on her face warred with embarrassment.

“Theo!”

Allegra, still clinging above, twisted to look. “Who is that?”

“That,” Rose said sweetly, glancing up at Allegra, “is the cavalry.”

Theo’s jaw clenched, but his voice was pure steel. “Stay still. Both of you.”