Page 76 of To Steal a Heart

She balled her hand and rapped her knuckles on the door of Katia’s room. A few seconds later, the door opened. When Katia saw Arden, her eyes widened. “Arden. This is a surprise.” She’d changed from her gown into ripped jeans and a t-shirt. She’d pulled her long hair up into a ponytail. Dressed casually, Katia looked more like the girl next door than an exotic beauty.

“I’m so sorry to bother you this late,” Arden began with an apologetic smile.

Katia’s expression grew concerned. “Is everything okay?”

“Not really. Do you mind if I come in?” When hesitation clouded Katia’s features, Arden added, “It won’t take long.”

“Sure,” Katia relented as she stepped back and let Arden enter. Katia motioned to the sofa in the sitting area. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks,” Arden murmured. She glanced at the fireplace as she went and sat down. Memories flooded her. She’d been so upset about Hector when his true colors were revealed. It was amazing what a difference perspective could make. That was child’s play compared to what she was dealing with now.

Katia sat down on the loveseat across from Arden. She crossed her long legs, cupping her hands around her bony knees.

The best way to handle this was to dive right in. Arden clasped her hands in her lap. She’d be so glad when this was over! “There’s no easy way to say this, but I believe your diamond is at risk.”

Katia’s face fell. “I—I don’t understand.”

Arden swallowed the tightness in her throat as she organized her thoughts. Maybe it was better to start at the beginning and give a shortened version. “I went to Carmel, California, to do research for the novel I recently wrote. While there, I met this guy. We hit it off and started dating.” Her head was still throbbing. She pushed the pain aside, willing herself to focus. “This guy wasn’t who he pretended to be.”

“I’m sorry,” Katia said politely. Her confused expression suggested that she had no idea where this was going.

“Thanks.” Arden forced a smile. “I promise that there’s a point to this story. I invited the man to accompany me to a party in the Hamptons.” Her stomach tightened. “He’s a thief. He used me to get into the house where he stole a valuable mask.”

The corners of Katia’s lips turned down. “That’s terrible.”

“Yes, it was.” She braced herself for the next part. “A week ago, this same guy broke into my bedroom while I was sleeping and added a pink diamond charm to a bracelet he’d given me.”

Katia’s expression grew stricken. “W—what?” she uttered.

“My theory is that Garrett got wind of the diamond exhibit because of the extensive publicity that Talon and his marketing team orchestrated. Giving me the diamond charm was Garrett’s way of letting me know that he was coming for your diamond.” She pinched her lips together. “I’m so sorry. I should have told you this earlier.”

A hard edge slipped into Katia’s voice. “Yes, you should have.”

The condemnation in Katia’s eyes cut her to the quick. “Talon is aware of the situation,” Arden said quickly. “He has several security teams watching the diamond and the hotel around the clock.”

“If the situation is under control, then why are you here?”

Arden shifted in her seat. “Today, after the reading, I saw Garrett standing at the back of the conference room.” Katia’s shocked expression amped up Arden’s guilt. She soldiered on. “This evening at the gala, I went out onto the terrace. Garrett showed up and spoke to me.”

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut. Katia furrowed her brows. “What did he say?”

Arden had no desire to go into all of the personal stuff, which didn’t pertain to the diamond. “He claims that he’s not here for the diamond, but I don’t believe him. I think he’s going to attempt to steal it.” She took in a quick breath. “I couldn’t just stand by and not say anything. I had to warn you.” She studied Katia, trying to get a read on her expression, but Katia was good at holding her cards close.

“I appreciate that,” she said woodenly.

“I’m only sorry that I didn’t warn you before you came.”

Katia tipped her head, her voice musing. “So, Garrett broke into your bedroom a week ago and added a pink diamond charm to some bracelet?”

“Yes, he gave it to me when we were dating.” She spread her hands. “I know this all sounds ridiculous, but that’s exactly what happened.”

“Did this bracelet have other charms?”

“Yes, Garrett gave me charms that meant something to the both of us. That’s why when he added the pink diamond, I knew that he would show up here sometime during the exhibit.”

“And he spoke to you tonight at the gala.”

Arden’s first inclination was to answer in the affirmative, but then she realized that Katia was simply talking aloud as she processed the information.

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