Free Stolen Heart by Sawyer Bennett Page B

the bedroom window.  Annika was still there, watching him.  “Nice work,” she said.
    “Thanks,” he returned with a grin.  “It wasn’t my best, but it got the job done.  Now let’s go get Sheila settled into her new home.”
    ***
    A knock on his hotel door pulled Kieran from his thoughts.  That had to be Annika.  He had been waiting for her for over an hour.  He had escorted her and Sheila to Saving Grace and then left so that Annika could get her settled in.  Annika promised she would meet him at his hotel as soon as she was finished.
    Walking over to let her in, he found his pulse picking up. He wasn’t sure if it was because he was excited to see her, or dreaded seeing her.  She was probably still pissed at him, even though his help tonight had been well received.
    Swinging the door open, his breath caught briefly.  She was just as beautiful as ever.  Her glossy black hair was causally mussed around her delicate face.  She was wearing a cream colored henley t-shirt and olive green cargo pants.  Hiking boots accompanied the outfit.  She was definitely dressed for travel.
    “How is Sheila doing?” Kieran asked.
    Annika gave a grim smile.  “She’s okay.  One of the staff is going to take her to an urgent care clinic to look at those injuries she had.”
    Kieran shook his head.  “I just don’t get it.  How can a man do that to a woman?”
    Annika shrugged her shoulders but looked pointedly at Kieran. “Who knows the minds of men?”
    Kieran snorted.  Leave it to Annika to turn the tables on him.  “Well, at least she’s safe tonight and hopefully will never have to deal with that again.”
    Annika nodded and walked into the living area.  “Yes.  And she’s very grateful to you for laying Monty out.  If he would have caught her going down that fire escape, he would have shot her dead.”  Annika paused and it looked like she was struggling to say her next words.  “And I’m grateful too.”
    Wow!   An actual exchange of nice words.  Miracles never cease.   “Well, I was happy to help.  And I also hope that you see I’m not such a bad guy.”
    Annika just raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at him in skepticism but didn’t say a word
    “Fair enough.  Clearly I still have some ass-kissing to do.”  He thought he saw the corner of her mouth quirk upwards and he took that as a good sign.  “Let’s sit down and talk about plans.” 
    He swept his arm into the suite, indicating for her to come farther in and take a seat.  “Would you like something to eat or some coffee?”
    “I’m good.”  Annika plopped down on the sofa.  “So what is the plan?”
    Kieran sat at the other end of the couch and turn toward her.  “The Scepter has been stolen and brought to the AltVeritas of Balvraine.  Are you familiar with it?”
    Annika nodded.  “I’ve been there.” 
    Kieran waited for her to say more but she didn’t.  “It would help if you could expound on that.  If you’re going to help me, I could use any information you got.”
    Annika shrugged.  “It was when I was younger.  I don’t remember much.  I know it’s a very small AltVeritas though.  Mostly desert.”
    Kieran sighed.  “Well, the information we have is that the ruling family is in possession of The Scepter.   They are called the Moldevines.”
    “Why did they steal The Scepter?”
    “Who knows.  But is a very powerful magical object and in the wrong hands, it could become an immensely dangerous weapon.”
    “Well, what if their intent to use it is pure?  What if they don’t intend to use it for malicious means?”
    “Isn’t that sort of beside the point, Annika.  They stole The Scepter and it doesn’t belong to them.”
    Kieran swore he saw something like guilt flash across Annika’s face but then it was gone. “Point made.  So do you have a basic plan?”
    “I think we keep it simple. Travel to Balvraine and have you infiltrate the palace while glamoured.  You figure out