Maggie gave him a pat on the arm.
“Now, I have some more practicing to do, because we have a jewel to steal tonight.”
He motioned with his mug. “Magick doesn’t bother me, Maggie. Go right ahead.”
She smiled and sat at the table. “Let me show you how I used to get out of paying for a check at a restaurant.”
He laughed and sat at the opposite side of the table from her. “If you know how to do that, why aren’t you doing that when we go out to eat?”
She laughed. “Your stodgy older brother doesn’t allow me.”
She started to bring the silverware to life again when his mobile rang. He saw the number and answered immediately.
“Phoebe, is everything alright?”
“Oh yes. I’m sorry to alarm you. I was up working on the diary and thought I should call you.”
He looked at the time. “It’s very early there.”
“Yes, well, the next McLennan is as much of a pain as the rest of you. He was doing flip flops all night.”
There was grumble in the background that told Logan his cousin was right there by her side.
“Oh, stop. I am not going to argue about the sex of the baby. You are drinking coffee in front of me and that is just rude.”
He chuckled. “Now, what did you need, love?”
“There is a passage here that is all about trust, fear, and danger. I sense there is something we have missed.”
“What?”
“I am not sure, but I am worried about tonight. Is anyone else there?”
“Maggie. Meg’s still in bed and Angus is out.”
“Could you put me on the speaker so I can get her opinion too?”
He clicked the button. “You’re on the speaker.”
“Good morning, Maggie.”
“Morning, Phoebe. What’s going on?”
“Do you think there is someone else after the jewel? Do you sense another force there close by?”
Maggie frowned. “I’ve not sensed anything. And I know Meg hasn’t or she would have said so.”
“Just last night I found a passage that made me think we might be missing a key element.”
“What did it say?” Logan asked.
“For as the four united in blood and love work to complete their task, darkness surrounds them. Hidden from prying eyes, evil festers and boils, waiting to strike and destroy.”
Silence filled the room. He didn’t know what to say, especially since that sounded worse than he had expected.
“Well, that sounds horrible,” Meg said from the doorway. He hadn’t heard her arrive.
“Oh, Meg, good,” Phoebe said, her relief was easy to hear over the phone. “Your opinion is what I need. You know Morin. Do you think he might be Magickal?”
She snorted. “The man is a lot of things, but Magickal is not one of him. Still, there might be someone in his entourage who is. Pierre always had to have women and lesser men around him. It made him feel better about himself.”
She repeated it as if she had been given a report and Logan had his answer. Her father must have done some Intel on Morin, and she had that information before coming to Paris.
“And you put up with a man who kept women around?” Maggie asked.
“When I was with him, those others weren’t around. And I can guarantee if the women had been, they would be gone by now,” Meg said. “Morin doesn’t like a woman over twenty-five.”
“What about the men?” Phoebe asked.
“That’s a good question, “ Logan commented. “He seems like someone who would keep a special assistant around for a longer amount of time.”
Meg nodded. “He had Andre when I was with him. I didn’t sense anything about him but that doesn’t mean anything. I wasn’t in the best place, considering what had just happened.”
“Just make sure you keep an eye out tonight. It could be someone you didn’t meet all those years ago. That’s one of the things about this diary. It speaks in riddles.”
“Speaking of riddles, Jack said everything is fine when I talked to him yesterday,” Maggie said. “Is that true?”
Phoebe chuckled. “Everything is fine. He and Fletcher have been having fun together doing man things.”
“Bloody hell, don’t let him go on a pub crawl with that man. He’ll never be the same.”
“Don’t worry. What? Oh, Callum wants to talk to you.”
The phone jostled around. “I don’t know why she wouldn’t put it on the speaker on this end,” his cousin grumbled into the phone.
Phoebe said something in the background. “I do not take over every conversation, Sassenach.”
Meg and Maggie shared a smile.
“I want you to get your arses out of there tonight. It’s best to make sure that you aren’t within his reach for a while.”
“Won’t that look suspicious?” Logan asked.
The front door opened and Angus called out. “We’re in the kitchen, love,” Maggie said.
He joined them, but his smile faded when he saw their expressions.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Callum and Phoebe,” Maggie said.
“Can I finish what I was saying so I can get my bride back to bed?” he growled. “What did you ask, Logan?”
“Leaving tonight, doesn’t that make us look guilty? Wouldn’t it be best just stay here for a day or two?”
“No. I want out you of his reach. Even if you can get to Italy, that will work.”
“Now, wait,” Maggie said. “Didn’t the jewel travel on its own?”
“We can’t take the chance. Morin is very powerful. I wouldn’t put it past him to use Meg’s old arrest as a means to hold you in Paris, out of my reach.”
There was talking in the background. He sighed. “Phoebe said it would be best to wait until tomorrow morning. Have them file the flight plan today to leave tomorrow. That way, it won’t look like you are running. Call me when you’re done tonight.”
“Will do,” Angus said.
“Good luck. Phoebe said to be careful.”
After the call ended, Maggie was the first to talk. “I think we both need to practice before we go tonight,” she said to Meg.
She nodded as she looked at Logan. “You have the blueprints for his house, correct? It would be better if I could show Maggie on that so she will know where to go.”
He nodded. “I thought you had been there before.”
“I have, but you never know with Morin. He has more money than he knows what to do with and he wastes it on things like redoing his house over and over.”
“Okay, then I guess we should get to work.”
“No,” Angus said. “First, we eat this fabulous fresh bakery breakfast, then we all get to work.”
“I have to agree to that,” Meg said, smiling, although it didn’t reach her eyes. Logan knew there was too much for them to discuss right now, but when they returned to Scotland, she would have to come to terms with their relationship.
There was no way he was going to let her go.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Meg slipped on the dark blue, barely there dress and studied herself in the full length mirror. It had been a long time since she had dressed like this. Probably since the night she helped Maggie steal the emerald. That had been months ago. Meg couldn’t remember a time in her life when she had gone that long without dressing up. Of course, since she was no longer working cons, she didn’t always need to do it.
She moved her head from side to side, watching the way the dangling diamond earrings danced in the light. Knowing it was important tonight, she had conjured her favorite glamour spell. She didn’t have a hair out of place and her makeup was perfect. Anyone looking at her would say she was well put together—damned hot even. No one would know she was coming apart at the seams.
She shook off the melancholy thoughts. The most important part was that Logan and the others not know what was going on inside of her. She needed them to think she could do this. And she could. She
would get that damned jewel if it was the last thing she did.
Morin was a bad man, a very bad man, and he knew things about her. Not really bad things. She just didn’t want Logan to know about them. Or at least have them thrown in his face. She had stolen for her livelihood for years and she didn't regret it. Her father had left her with a set of skills that she used to make a life for herself. Now that she was well off, she didn't worry about doing that ever again.
Morin would remind Logan of that former self. And while she might have boasted to her friends for wanting a man to love her for herself, now that she had Logan, she didn't want to give him up.
I hear you little sister, what is your problem?
Get out of my head, Rena.
You are transmitting to me because you are worried. Pierre Morin didn't deserve you then and he shouldn't worry you now. You are stronger.
Good, now go.
Rena obeyed the command—not because it was a command though. She left because she wanted to. No one made Rena do anything she didn't want to do.
There was a soft knock at the door.
“Meg, are you ready?” Maggie said.
Instead of walking over to the door, Meg waved her hand to open it. With the flick of wrist, a burst of Magick brightened the room. Maggie stepped in and smiled.
“How did that feel?”
Her friends knew she didn’t use her abilities all that often.
“Wonderful.”
“Oh, Meg, I forget how posh you look when you get all prettied up.”
She smiled and looked at Maggie. The green dress brought out her eyes, made her skin look almost luminous, and showed off the brilliance of her red hair.
“You’re one to talk.”
Maggie laughed. “I love that I don’t have to do my own makeup anymore. Do you know how hard that was to learn after I lost it? I poked myself in the eye so many times, I’m amazed I didn’t go blind.”
Meg fought a shiver of dread. For a witch, losing her abilities was like losing another sense. Meg might not use hers that often, but she didn’t like the idea of operating without them.
She pushed those thoughts away and grabbed her purse. “Let’s go, the guys are probably ready.”
Maggie nodded and Meg followed her out of the room. Her stomach churned as they walked down the stairs. Dread settled over her shoulders, and she wondered if she would be able to keep up the front. To calm herself, she went over her role of the night. It was something her father had taught her.
Never really play a role, Meghan. Be the role.
Showing up with Logan at an official function like this was going to cause more than a few issues. And, she would have to see Pierre again.
The last time had been horrible.
She shook away those feelings and thought about the task ahead. They had plans, and she had to stick to them. She could do his. Too many people were counting on her. She had pulled off bigger cons than this by herself.
They made it to the first floor and found both men waiting by the door. Angus looked impatient, as if he had been waiting forever.
“You’re never on time for anything,” he said as he walked forward. “You look beautiful. Let’s go.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “The Scots are such romancers.”
“Romance later, time for stealing a jewel tonight.”
He grabbed Maggie’s hand and pulled her out of the door. Meg was smiling when she looked at Logan. His face had no expression. No, it did, he looked stunned.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. You just...” his voice trailed off, as his gaze dipped lower. He swallowed. “You seem to be missing the rest of your dress.”
For a second, she hesitated, then smiled. “Yeah? Tell you what, Logan. We can discuss that when we get back tonight.”
He stepped closer and set a hand on her hip. “That sounds like a plan to me.”
She tilted her head back, and he bent his forward, their lips meeting halfway. It was just a brush of the mouths, simple, almost innocent. He pulled back too soon and she shivered. Need was already driving her hormones to the breaking point.
“We better go, love, or Angus will come looking for us.”
He stepped back and offered his arm. She smiled and took it. Whatever was going to happen would happen.
* * * *
Logan felt the shift in the room the moment Morin saw Meghan. He didn’t appear to be that surprised, but his reaction to seeing Meghan told Logan all he needed to know.
He had been hoping that Morin would be bored with her, or not react in this way. It made him feel like a real bastard, but he’d hoped this part of the plan would not succeed. Morin came over to them, his smile just as charming as the night before, but it was a bit tighter around the edges.
Something cold moved through his gaze.
Meg leaned closer and whispered, “Stop trying to break all the bones in my hand.”
Without realizing it, Logan had started to crush her hand in his. Controlling his anger was going to be more important than anything tonight.
“Ah, the Lennons have arrived,” Morin said, with the same smile curving his lips. “And you brought me a special treat.”
The word treat dripped with implied innuendo. His fingers twitched on her hand, but Meg leaned closer. She didn’t say anything, but he felt the comfort of having her closer to him.
“Pierre,” Angus said, stepping in and acting as the spokesman for the group. “Sorry, we were running a bit late. Two women…you know how that goes. This is my wife, Maggie and her very dear friend, Meg, whom I believe you know.”
“Yes, of course. I am very glad you could come for my little party.”
“And thank you for the invitation,” Maggie said. “It’s a great way to spend our last night in Paris.”
Again, they had decided to establish their plans with witnesses. It would further solidify that they had not planned on staying on.
“Oh, that is a shame,” Pierre said. “I had no idea you were leaving so soon.”
“Our son is at home with my cousin and his wife, and Maggie doesna like leaving him alone that long.”
“Of course.” He turned his attention to Meg. “You are looking ravishing as usual, my dear.”
Apparently there were a few people who knew who she was. The sick speculation in their gazes further agitated Logan. But he knew what was at risk, what could become of the situation if he didn’t play the role.
“Oh, love, I had no idea you were acquainted with Pierre.”
Meg smiled at him, then at Morin. “I wasn’t sure Pierre would remember me. I was just a silly headed girl at the time.”
“I do not believe you could be called that, my dear.”
A slender man stepped up beside Pierre. “Ms. Campbell."
“Armand.”
Guests noted the chilly reception from both parties, he was sure.
“Well, when are we getting to see this jewel of yours?” Angus asked. “I understand there might be a connection to our homeland?”
Pierre laughed. “There are a lot of rumors about it. The most credible is that it was in a broadsword of Robert the Bruce.”
Something tickled in the back of his throat. “Is that a fact?”
“Yes.”
“And the least credible?” Meg asked.
“That it is cursed by a family of witches. Those who use it for gain will end up going mad.”
Meg laughed. “What can you gain from a jewel, other than money?”
“You never know, Meg. So, since this is what this dinner party is for, let’s go to the viewing room.”
This was almost too easy. The man was going to walk them into the room where the sapphire was stored.
“Sir, do you think this was such a good idea?”
“Armand, do not be rude to our guests. No one would be stupid enough to steal the jewel while a guest in this house. At least not in this crowd.”
There was a nervous spattering of laughter
as the group followed Morin down the hall. Logan looked at Meg and wondered at her calmness. Anyone watching her would think she was fine. He slipped a finger up to her wrist. Her heart was beating faster than normal. She smiled and made chit chat with the woman walking beside her. From the accent, she sounded Italian. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at his brother, who gave him an imperceptible nod.
They went down a flight of stairs to a set of doors where two burley guards stood. The men opened the doors. Everyone poured into the room. He judged their crowd to be about twenty people, most looked like Europe’s lost royalty.
The room itself was much like a museum would look. Paintings lined the walls and velvet rope would keep people at a safe distance. It had to be one of the most pretentious setups he’d ever seen for a private collection. And he had seen a lot of them.
Down the center of the room—roped off just like the paintings—were displays of various items. Each one had its own pedestal. In the center was the jewel.
As everyone gathered around, Angus and Logan held back. Maggie and Meg gave them both a look, but they went up through the crowd together to see it.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Angus said. “And considering the years I have been on this Earth that means a lot.”
“Aye. With my background, I have seen some things that raise close to this level, but this is just odd.”
Angus nodded, as he looked around the crowd. “Do you think he knows what he has?”
Logan watched Pierre go through the crowd, talking to people, but Logan could tell the man had his eye on Meg. Anger boiled low in his gut as he flexed his hands.
“No, but I know what he has his eye on.”
Angus followed his line of vision. “Doona lose your head, brother. We have to see this through.”
Logan nodded. “I will control myself.”
But if the bastard stepped out of line just once, he would have to deal with Logan.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
By the time dessert was being served, Meg was ready to turn tail and run. Boring and stressful didn’t cover the night. If they did not have the problem of stealing the sapphire she wouldn’t be ready to scream.
Meg looked down the table at the people there. That was wrong. If they had not been after the jewel, she would still want to leave. She was ready for a good long, hot soak. And she wanted to make love to Logan.
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