Page 96 of Steal My Heart
“So what’s the plan?” I ask with a sigh.
“Lundi Gras is our opportunity,” Angelo answers. “I’m the King of Carnival?—”
“Of course you are, Mr. New Orleans.” I tease him.
He drapes his arm over the top of the couch behind me, and this time, I don’t resist the urge to snuggle in closer. “Remi, you will be in the Queen’s court, masquerading as Al. During the ceremony, the mayor hands over to the King and Queen the symbolic key to the city.”
“And during the pomp and circumstance, I swipe the mayor’s phone.” I take a moment to consider this plan. “Your sister and I don’t share the same physical attributes.”
“Everyone in the procession, save for the King and Queen, wears a full-coverage mask. As for your hair, you can disguise yourself with a black wig. The height difference, you’ll have to wear platform shoes underneath your costume.”
“Our eyes?” I challenge. Mine are hazel; hers are brown. A subtle difference, but still a difference.
“Color contacts,” Maks suggests.
“That could work. Can I see a picture of the ceremony setup?”
“Show her last year’s procession,” Angelo orders, and Maks lines up a laptop and presses play on the local news station.
We’re live at the riverfront, where the King and Queen of Carnival and their royal courts will soon arrive. And here comes the riverboat!
“Hold up,” I say in a panic, and Maks pauses. “You mean I have to get back on a boat? On the Mississippi River?” My voice having risen several octaves, I glance over to Angelo to assure me he’s joking.
His look tells me he’s not.
“On second thought, I don’t even need that extra fifty grand.” I hop to my feet.” Nola and I will get out of your hair—” I sprint for the door, but Angelo’s there in a flash. He grabs my wrist, halting my exit.
“Resume swim lessons,” he orders Maks before turning his attention to me. “I’m not going to have the river derail our plans for a second time.”
I blow out a shaky breath. “Okay.”
He releases his hold, and I take off out the door and down the hallway.
Because it’s not fucking okay!
Angelo easily catches up to me, and I squeal as I’m hoisted over his shoulder. “While I’m all for another game of chase with you, we don’t have time,” he tells me impatiently, carrying me down the hall. “We have until Monday to get you mentally ready.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” I cry, angry tears running down my cheeks.
“I will not lose you to drowning,” he simply says, carrying me through the kitchen and outside to the pool.
I’m placed on my feet, and he gives me a kiss on the forehead before turning around and walking inside.
Fuck that man and his forehead kisses!
“Ahhh!” I go flying into the pool.
Surfacing, I find Maks now swimming around me. “You both suck!”
“Do you have lungs?”
“Of course I have lungs!” I demonstrate that fact by screaming at the top of them.
“Then if you have lungs, you can float.”
“I don’t fucking get it!” Struggling, I grab onto his shoulders as he guides me to the side.
He pulls himself out of the pool in one easy go, returning with a pair of goggles. “Put these on.”
