What if she did? If she stopped stealing now, could they have a future?
Logan would like to think so. He flipped through other movie titles. After he had Benson and Towers in cuffs, he and Mia could talk about the future and where they fit.
The flight was long and boring, but Logan had to admit that flying across the Atlantic in first class was definitely the way to go. He was able to stretch out and actually sleep horizontally. They fed him real food. He might never fly coach again.
When breakfast was being served, Mia was still sleeping, her breaths quiet and even. Logan watched her for a few minutes. She was so beautiful. Her eyes slit open.
“Are you being a creeper, Agent Ford?” Her voice was husky, and the sound wrapped around him and squeezed.
“I was about to wake you for breakfast.”
She stretched and sat up, looking completely unwrinkled for having spent the night on a plane. “Waking me does not involve staring.”
“I wasn’t staring.”
“Yes, you were,” she said with a raised brow.
The man sitting diagonally across from them said, “She’s got you, man. Can’t say I blame him, though, miss.”
She just smirked at him with her crooked, knowing smile. Yeah, he’d definitely missed that. The flight attendant came around and handed out breakfast.
As they ate, Mia asked, “Any word on your transfer? Are they going to let you stay in Chicago?”
“If I make this bust, I can pretty much have my pick of cities.”
“But you want Chicago, right? It’s where your family is.”
“Yeah.” It’s also where you are. But he couldn’t say the words. Eye on the prize. Dwayne Benson and Cesar Towers first. Getting Mia to give up her life of crime, second.
“What’s the plan once we land?” she asked.
“Before we deboard, text your father and see if he responds. Local police are meeting us at the gate. I’ll stick with them. If your father is there, we’ll wait for you to hand off the art, then we’ll arrest him. If he’s not there, the police have a cab that an officer will be driving. He’ll take you to your father, while I follow with the cops.”
She bit her lip, suddenly looking concerned.
“You’ll be safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“It’s not that. I know my father won’t hurt me. But...”
“What?”
“I’m wondering if there’s any way I can meet with him and not have him know I handed him over to you.”
“Why? I thought you’d want to look him in the eye and make sure he knew you were the one who took him down.”
The corner of her mouth tilted up a fraction. “While I absolutely would enjoy that, part of me is afraid he’ll escape again. I would lose the edge I have now.”
“At what cost to you, though?”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw it on your face when he called. It chips away at you. If you keep trying to play him, stay one step ahead, he’ll keep taking little pieces of you.”
She sat back, her eyes wide. “That’s...something to think about.”
Over the last few hours of their trip, they chatted about work and family the same way friends would. He loved the ease of their companionship. When it was time to fasten their seat belts for landing, he didn’t think he imagined the sadness reappearing in her eyes. The morning had been a nice reprieve for both of them.
He was hoping for many more such mornings.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It turned out that having a relaxing flight was a good thing because from the moment the wheels touched ground, he was on high alert. He’d known going in that this case would make a difference in his career, but now it was about making things right in his personal life, too. No way was he going to let Dwayne Benson slip away.
He waited while others deplaned and Mia texted her father. He leaned over to see what she was typing and she shot him a glare. Then she turned the screen to face him.
“See? Not trying to double-cross you.”
Daddy, I’m here. Are you at the airport?
“I didn’t think you were doing anything wrong. I’m just amped up and want to move.”
A moment later, she had a response. “He’s here. He has a car pulling around to get me. Let’s go.”
Logan helped her carry the art cases off the plane, and at the gate he introduced her to the police who were waiting for them. He handed her the cases. “We’ll be right behind you.”
“Okay.” She smiled up at him and then turned away.
“Mia.”
She stopped and looked over her shoulder.
He stepped closer. “If something doesn’t feel right, get out of the way. If he’s lying right now and you have to get in a car, know that I will be right behind you.”
“Thank you for the reassurance.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“When this is over, we need to talk. Really talk about us.”
“Is there still a chance for an us?” Her face brightened and he could’ve kicked himself for playing a role in her sadness.
“I think there can be. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed her temple. “Be careful.”
He watched her weave deftly through the crowd, never losing her stride. He hitched his backpack on his shoulder as the cops came up to him.
He spoke to the man in charge, Lieutenant Baros, who headed the International Police Cooperation Division. “Thanks again for your help on this.”
“We’re happy to do our part. I’ve got two plainclothesmen stationed outside.” He looked to where Mia was heading to the doors to exit. “I think we can move now and wait for your man to show. If you want to give me your bag, I’ll have one of my men put it in our car.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Logan handed off his bag, and as they moved through the throngs of people, his focus remained on Mia.
She stood on the other side of the glass door, bag at her feet, art cases in one hand and her phone in the other. As she spoke, she looked up and down the curb.
Logan followed her movements. He prayed Dwayne showed because he didn’t like the idea of Mia getting in a car with an unknown.
“She is brave to do this, no?” Baros asked.
“Yes, she is. It’s been her mission for years to bring him to justice.”
“Then let’s make sure the pretty woman completes her mission.”
* * *
Mia was beginning to doubt the plan. Her father had said he was pulling up, but it felt like it was taking forever. Than a black town car pulled up at the curb and a moment later, her father stepped out. He wore a gauzy white shirt, Dockers, and a fedora. He’d put on some weight, but she’d recognize him anywhere.
“Kitten! I’m so glad you made it! How was the flight?” He stepped closer and reached for the paintings.
Mia stood in shock. He was really here right in front of her, greeting her as if she was home from college for the weekend. In a blink, she was twenty again and her life was perfect. She swallowed hard. Looking her father in the eye was so much more difficult than she’d anticipated. Her anger and bitterness warred with the love and devotion she’d had for him when she was a child. He had been a good father.
He paused mid-stride and looked around. “Is something wrong?”
The paintings. He needed to have them in his possession. She shook her head and handed the cases to him, which he immediately shoved into the car.
Then he closed in on her with open arms and she wanted to let him hold her. She jolted and stumbled back, almost tripping over her bag, but strong arms caught her.
“Dwayne Benson, you’re under arrest,” Logan’s voice said clearly as he steadied her.
“What? Who are you?”
“Agent Logan Ford, FBI.”<
br />
“You have no jurisdiction here.”
“But I do, sir,” the local cop said.
Mia was in a daze. Her heart thundered in her ears. Logan’s hand was still on her arm, as if she couldn’t stand on her own. Could she?
“I haven’t broken any laws in your country,” her father said.
“This is an interdepartmental arrangement. Interpol will be meeting us at the station.”
A moment later her father was in handcuffs, calling her name. He didn’t sound angry, just confused. Suddenly she could take a deep breath. She filled her lungs and calmed her heart. She felt like a boulder had been lifted from her, and she smiled.
Logan stood in front of her, lowering himself to look directly into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, unsure of the words to say. “Better than okay. I feel free.”
“Good.” His fingers grazed hers. “Where are the paintings? I need to take them in as evidence.”
“In the car.”
“Do you want to come with us?”
She shook her head. “No. I’ve done my part. It was much harder than I thought it would be. I don’t need to be involved more. I’m going to go to the hotel and sit by the pool and drink champagne to celebrate.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“You know where to find me. I’ll be waiting.” She stretched up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for your trust and being there to steady me.”
This wasn’t just a light at the end of the tunnel for her life—this was a glorious sunrise, and she was finally going to seek out happiness.
* * *
Logan rode with Lieutenant Baros while Benson was in the back seat of a squad car. When they got to the station, he carried the artwork in to log as evidence. He didn’t need to interrogate Benson because he’d already been indicted. Logan was banking on him rolling over on his brother-in-law. With any luck Cesar Towers was in town and they’d be able to pick him up by dinner.
As he opened the first case, his phone rang with a call from Stokes, and he answered with, “Hey, we got him.”
“Any issues?”
“None. Interpol is talking to Benson now to see where Towers is.”
He clicked open the second case. His lungs locked and his mouth went dry. It couldn’t be. “What. The. Fuck.”
“What?” Stokes said.
“The second painting has been replaced.”
“With what? How?”
“With a painting that was stolen from my family decades ago.” He couldn’t believe it. He started to laugh.
“What is so funny?”
“She made sure her father was picked up with stolen goods. It must’ve been her contingency.”
“Watch yourself with that woman. She’s tricky. Willing to get caught up in the arrest for handling stolen property? She’s tough.”
“Determined. I’ll check back once I have more info.”
They disconnected and he stared at the Hurley painting. It was more than he could’ve imagined. He snapped a picture of it and texted it to Joe with a message to start looking for the provenance. The family’s prized possession would be coming home.
He checked in with Interpol and Baros. It hadn’t taken long for Benson to give up his brother-in-law. Cops were on the way to his hotel to pick him up now. Logan couldn’t figure out why they’d traveled together. They really had no clue it was a setup.
A few hours later, he left the police department, knowing that Benson and Towers were safely locked up and would remain so until their flight tomorrow. He didn’t know what Mia’s plans were, but they had tonight.
He went to the hotel where they had booked separate rooms. After checking in, he dropped his bag in his room and went down to the pool.
Mia was stretched out on a lounge chair wearing a skimpy red bikini. Even though she wore sunglasses, he knew her eyes were closed. She was probably exhausted. He sat on the chair beside her.
She jolted up. “What happened?”
“Your father was in possession of the Hurley painting that belongs to my family.”
The corner of her mouth tilted up. “Really? He’s a sneaky son of a bitch.” She shrugged as if to say you never know.
He leaned forward, forearms on his knees, and removed his sunglasses. “I get the when of this. You took off unaccompanied to the bathroom at the airport. What I don’t get is why.”
She sighed and slid her sunglasses down her nose. “Regardless of what you think of me now, I feel bad about using you.”
“And you thought the way to make that up to me was to steal a painting.”
“I did what I always try to do—make thing right.” Her eyes were bright and clear, a hint of humor glinting. “The Hurley belongs to your family. Someone took it. Imagine how much different your life—Joe and Mae’s life—might have been if they’d had this painting.”
He couldn’t argue that, but it still felt wrong. “I have one more question for you.”
She pushed her glasses up on her head, stared straight into his eyes, and waited.
“What happens now?”
“In regards to?”
“Your criminal activity. Forgeries. Us.” The last word came out softly, as if he shouldn’t have said it. Hell, he probably shouldn’t have.
“Off the record? Between the two of us?”
That didn’t sound good, but he nodded. He needed to know.
“My father sent me a list of his holdings. At least thirty pieces of art.” She sat all the way up and set her feet on the ground. Her knees nearly touched his. “My original plan involved twelve. They were pieces that I knew could bring in enough money to make a difference to his victims and hurt him. It’s barely a dent.”
“So you’re going to keep going? Even though we have him?”
“I don’t know.”
His heart thumped harder. He’d really believed that her father’s arrest would be enough.
She reached over and touched his hand. “Part of me is afraid that he has enough contingencies to escape again. I can’t let that happen.”
He took her hand in his. “It won’t. We have him and your uncle. We fly back to Chicago tomorrow.” He ran his thumb over her knuckles and asked her the hardest question. “Would you stop if it meant we could be together?”
Her eyes went glassy and she swallowed hard. “Yes. As long as my father is brought to justice.”
He looked for signs of a lie but saw none.
“I can walk away from this mission of mine, and I am willing to do that to have a chance for us.”
His heart raced now in happiness.
“But.” She took in a sharp breath. “I want you to understand that if he escapes, if he gets off, I will go after him again.”
Logan had no worries there. He’d personally make sure the man faced trial. “You can make that commitment to me without checking in with your partners?”
“I work alone,” she said, smirking.
“Thought we were being honest.”
“You’re still FBI and my hypothetical team isn’t safe from you.”
“You think you’re safe from me?”
“I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you, so I have no worries. And you should know by now that I call the shots, so walking away doesn’t require anyone’s approval.”
She was still cautious with her words, but he wanted to believe her.
“You said you’re flying home tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yeah. Aren’t you?”
“I think I’ll stay another day. I don’t think I could handle being on the same plane as my father for twelve hours.” She stood, still holding his hand. “We have tonight, though, right?”
“Yes.” He couldn’t say no to her.
* * *
Two days later,
Mia walked into the apartment, where she’d called the team to meet. The last meeting with her in charge. It was bittersweet, but right. She’d done what she’d set out to do, and her role was over.
She set the meal she’d brought on the table and spread out the food before getting plates and utensils from the kitchen. As she carried wine and beer to the table, the front door opened and Jared and Audrey walked in. She greeted them.
Jared already knew her plan, but she wanted to be the one to tell the women. Nikki and London came in next, chattering about going dancing at a club. Nikki was saying they wouldn’t have to go out if they got a shot machine for the living room.
Mia smiled and shook her head. She had no idea what a shot machine even was, but knowing Nikki, it had to do with getting drunk.
“Ooh...this is a hell of a spread, Mia. Better watch it or we’ll get used to the fancy meals,” Nikki joked as she took a seat. Audrey and Jared sat next to each other and London sat on the other side of Nikki.
Mia remained standing. “As you know, everything in Greece went off without a hitch. My father and uncle are sitting in jail waiting for trial.” Her throat tightened. “None of this would’ve been possible without all of you. What started like a fever dream five years ago, you helped turn into reality. Thank you.” She raised a glass to toast.
Audrey sipped. “Why doesn’t this feel like a celebratory drink? It sounds like you’re cushioning bad news.”
Mia shook her head with a smile. “Not bad. I don’t know how much Jared told you, but everything that happened between Logan and me exposed my plan.” She held up a hand. “You’re all safe. While he knows I wasn’t working alone, I never admitted that, and he has no idea who you are.”
“But he could find out if he wanted,” Nikki said.
“Probably,” Mia agreed. “While in Greece, I agreed to stop stealing as long as my father paid for his crimes.”
“What?” Nikki said. “You’re just quitting?”
Mia offered a slow nod. “Logan and I have agreed to give a relationship a try. It might not work out, but I’ve lived the past five years doing nothing but thinking about how to take my father down. It’s time for me to take a shot at happiness. That can’t happen as long as he’s FBI and I’m running a criminal enterprise.”
To Catch a Thief--A High Stakes Romantic Suspense Page 28
