Page 77 of The One-Night Heist

Hence, why we’re here.

Mick snorted. “You’re good at what you do, Rowen…” His shifty eyes drifted to the others. “Finding stolen art and shit.”

Nice save, bro.

“Yes, that’s why we’re here,” Franz urgently segued, as the only one present not in the know about the job. “Mr. Luxford’s collection has been stolen and we have it under good authority that the art is here in Italy.”

We sure do.

Mick smirked, eye-fucking our clueless companion for a good ten seconds before glancing at me. When I subtly nodded, confirming we were good to continue with the plan I’d texted him earlier today, he jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

“All right. Let’s head upstairs for an aperitivo before we go get some dinner. You buyin’, Luxford?” Giano nodded, his lips twisting with a smile and The Mick Show continued with signature chaos. “Whose bag is this?”

We all looked down at the lone carry-on suitcase the driver had unloaded from the car before speeding off.

“That’s… mine.” Franz cleared his throat and shifted on his feet. “I came directly from the airport and haven’t checked into my hotel yet⁠—”

“Nah, you can just crash here.” Mick lifted the suitcase with one hand mid-turn before unnecessarily kicking open the door to his building. “I hope you pretty boys are in shape. It’s five flights up!”

I snickered openly at Franz’s helpless expression as we all followed the leader through the darkened doorway and up the narrow staircase. I’d originally insisted we come here first to mildly inconvenience ol’ Daddy Pinstripes, but him getting licked and claimed by my unhinged foster brother was an even better scenario.

He can keep him.

Apparently, the “pretty boys” were both in excellent shape, as I seemed to be the only one winded by the time we got to the top, but I knew the payout was going to be worth it.

Revenge shall be mine.

“Home sweet fucking home!” Mick kicked open his apartment door as well, because why open it like a normal person? “Welcome to my Florenzer paradise.”

For as ridiculous as my foster brother was, he wasn’t lying about the “paradise” part. I couldn’t think of anything better than living in a laid-back European city, doing exactly as I pleased and making bank in the process.

Add in a hot billionaire with a tasty ass and I’d be golden.

Wait…

What am I thinking?!

“I know what you’re thinking…” Mick chuckled, and for a moment, I wondered if he’d gone psychic. “How can a starving artist like me afford a place like this?”

“With such a view…” Franz murmured, forgetting to be salty long enough to approach the window. “Is that Brunelleschi’s Dome?”

“You got it, pretty boy!” Mick crowed, joining Franz at the glass. “I get to gaze upon the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore every freakin’ day. Wait ‘til you see the view from the bedroom upstairs.”

“I’m not…” Daddy Pinstripes weakly protested before trailing off, probably already knowing his fate was sealed. “Have you heard anything about Mr. Luxford’s art? Time is of the essence and we need to know where to find it⁠—”

“Not here, that’s for sure,” Mick replied, which was the truth.

“It’s all right, Franz,” Giano soothed, glancing at me worriedly. “Mick is going to ask around his network to determine if anyone has seen my collection.”

“Oh, I bet I know someone who’s seen it all right,” my idiot foster brother winked at me behind Franz’s back before throwing an arm around the poor man’s shoulders and pulling him close. “But lemme show ya some of my recent work first.”

Here we go.

Mick practically dragged Daddy Pinstripes down the hallway and I moved to follow, but Giano yanked me toward him instead.

“I told you, I didn’t want Franz to find out,” he hissed in my ear, and I’d be lying if I said his angry tone didn’t get me going.

“He won’t, Moneybags, chill.” I patted his cheek, my gaze dropping to his tasty lips for no good goddamn reason. “Mick just likes to play.”