“Oh, great.” I smile. I was hoping they would keep me in the loop. “What have you found?” I ask.
“We agree with you. This is more than likely an inside job.” My eyes widen as Mark interjects. “You can’t think it is anyone from here, surely?”
“Perhaps,” one of the officer’s replies.
“Or perhaps it is someone that is circulating the scene constantly.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, on further investigation, we have found that four auction sites have been targeted.”
“Oh, really?” Mark frowns.
“Yes. So it isn’t someone who is exclusive to just this establishment,” says one officer. “However, it is surrounded by the weirdest set of circumstances. Some of the paintings that have been stolen have no street value at all, and it seems that any valuable piece of artwork that was stolen has had insurance.”
I frown. “But if there is no street value, why would they be getting stolen?” I ask.
The two detectives shrug. “We have no idea.”
“What can we do to help?” asks Mark.
“Keep your eyes open. The thief knows art and mixes socially within the inner circle.” Mark and I both nod. Wow, this is like a television cop show.
“If you see anything suspicious at all, please call us immediately.” The officers both stand and we all shake hands.
“Thank you for coming.” Mark smiles and the officers leave.
Mark’s attention turns to me. “We are going to catch this asshole, and when we do, it will be me and you who brings them to justice.”
I smile broadly. “I can’t wait.”
I take a seat back at my desk and look around at my coworkers. Shit, it could be anyone here. I tap my pen against my desk nervously and check the time on my computer. 12.40pm. Twenty minutes until I get to see Brelly. I’m missing her. I have so much to tell her and I am dying to hear what that flog Julian Masters is up to.
“Oh, she’s over at this desk,” I hear someone call.
I look up to see a deliveryman carrying a huge colorful flower arrangement.
“Emerson Mathews?” he asks.
I bite my bottom lip to stifle my stupid smile. “Yes.”
“I have a delivery for you.”
My excited eyes fly around to Travis and he shakes his head in disgust.
“Sign here.”
I quickly sign and take the huge bouquet from him. “Thank you.” I inhale their beautiful scent. I have never received flowers before. Liam was too tight to ever have anything delivered.
I open the small white envelope and read the card.
Because of Us.
Forever your love, Alastar Xx
I put my hand on my heart. Oh my God.
Because of us.
What does that mean? Oh, I love it, whatever it means.
“What does it say?” Travis sighs.
I get all teary. “It says because of us.”
Travis screws up his face. “What’s that fucking supposed to mean?”
Deidre screws up her face. “Hmm, random.”
“Whatever happened to you’re hot?” Travis shakes his head in disgust. “How are normal fucking guys supposed to keep up with this shit?”
I smile broadly. “It means I am going out with a deep and absolutely perfect man.” I sigh dreamily.
“Is this the guy from the bar?” Deirdre asks.
“Uh-huh.” I sigh as I swing my chair side to side. That’s it. Life complete. Because of us is the dreamiest message I ever heard of.
I immediately take out my phone and text Alastar.
Because of Us.
I love you.
xx
The drive from the airport to Alastar’s parents seems to be taking forever. It’s Friday night and we have just made the flight from London. I’m as nervous as hell. I don’t know why. Alastar is freaking perfect, so his parents must be nice. We have had the most beautiful week together. We have laughed and laughed and my trepidation at moving in with him seems a distant memory. I cook breakfast, he drives me to work, and we kiss on our corner like lovesick teenagers as we try and say goodbye to each other for the day. After work, he picks me up and we cling to each other once more before we go home. He cooks a magical dinner, and then we make love all night.
I’m getting used to his mansion of a house, his OCD, perfectionist ways, and his beautiful body wrapped around mine as we sleep. We have become inseparable.
Life is good. Really fucking good.
We finally pull into a driveway and he comes around to open the door for me. It’s dark and the house is on a large plot of land it seems. It’s a farmhouse from what I can tell. A dog barks to announce our arrival.
“Are you ready, my love?” Alastar asks me gently.
I nod as my heart tries to escape my chest. “I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me?”
He leans into the car and kisses me gently. “They will love you.”
Getting out of the car, I make my way up the path with my hand in his, and the front door opens in a rush. His parents appear and they both call out in excitement. “Hello.”
“Hello, boy,” his father calls.
“Hello, Pa.” Alastar laughs out loud as he grabs him in an embrace, and then moves over to his mother.