“You like that piece?”

“Very much.”

He glanced at the price and his grin widened. “I’ll add it to the list of potentials. I’ve only just arrived in Valletta. I probably shouldn’t buy the very first thing I see, even if it has the stamp of approval from my favorite art historian.”

“You flatter me.”

“Definitely not.”

“I have the distinct feeling I’m the only art historian you know.”

“I’m certain we’ll meet at least one more tonight.”

She laughed. “What if you decide you like them more than me?”

“Not possible.” His eyes lit with warmth as he watched her. Relaxed and confident. Nothing about him said he was working the room, working undercover.

“How long are you here for?” she asked.

“Two weeks, maybe longer if my research goes well.”

His answer didn’t surprise her. It was exactly her timeline. Was the Navy really giving him that much time off? There was no way this was a sanctioned op. He had to be burning leave.

The idea that he was giving up precious leave for her brought a return of the fluttery feeling, but it also left her with a debt she’d never be able to pay.

Chapter Fifteen

“Dr. Hanson, can I walk you back to your hotel?” Reuben Kulik asked.

Kira had been slowly making her way to the door, figuring her work here was done for the night, but the question made her pause. She wanted to talk to the man, but needed time to see what she could find out about him first. From what Juliette had said, she surmised Kulik owned this gallery.

Was this a rich man’s hobby, or something else?

She hadn’t planned to tap into Friday Morning Valkyries’ resources for this—after all, this was a personal matter, and she had reason to fear what would be found—but Freya had insisted on updates, and now with Rand here, Freya would know if she held back names.

He was here to protect her, she assumed, but he was also Freya’s spy. His allegiance would be to FMV. If her father really was an art thief, that was not something she wanted Freya—or anyone—to know.

She smiled at Kulik, but before she could speak, Rand jumped in. “Sorry, but Dr. Hanson and I have plans.”

This was news to her, but she wouldn’t out the lie. Even though she was tempted.

She appreciated that he’d traveled nearly one-fifth the circumference of the Earth to protect her, but that didn’t mean he could come in like a steamroller and make decisions for her.

This was her trip. One she had taken for a very specific reason that he knew nothing about. There would be places she would go and people she would meet without him. The last thing she would allow was a man she barely knew to seize her autonomy.

She gave Rand a stiff smile, then turned to Kulik. “Are you free tomorrow for a drink? Say, five o’clock at the bar across from the Co-Cathedral?” That should give her time to dig a little, but soon enough to appease his ego at tonight’s rejection.

“That would be perfect. Yes. Just the two of us.” His gaze flicked to Rand.

“Of course.” That was, in fact, why she’d chosen the open-air bar on the busy street.

Kulik took her hand and kissed it, then gave Rand a smug smile before stepping outside.

Kira thanked the gallery manager one last time, then turned for the door, not bothering to see if Rand followed.

She stepped out onto the cobbled street that fronted the gallery. Like most of the streets in the city interior, it was pedestrian only. Strings of lights zigzagged across the road connecting the limestone buildings that faced each other. The result was pretty and festive on the sultry early summer evening.

Rand stepped up beside her as she reached the intersection with the wide main road that stretched across the peak of Valletta from the Triton Fountain just outside the city gate to Fort St. Elmo on the sea.

“You won’t be meeting with that man alone,” he said softly.

“I most certainly will.” Her voice was at her normal volume. No one was close enough to hear, and she didn’t care if they were.

“You’re angry.”

“Gee, I wonder why?”

“Because I’m here? I’m not stalking you.”

“I never thought you were.”

He stopped and grabbed her arm as they neared a restaurant with dozens of customers sitting at tables that lined the thoroughfare. “Kira, I’m here to protect you.” Again, his voice was low.

She shook off his arm. “That was your choice, not mine. And it doesn’t mean you get to dictate what I do. This is my trip, Lieutenant Commander. One I’ve been waiting to take my entire life. I have people I need to meet with while I’m here. You do not get to boss me around or accept or decline invitations for me. If that’s how this is going to be, you can take the next flight home.”

“It’s not safe⁠—”

“And I’m not a Valkyrie. I know what you and Freya think of me. It doesn’t mean you get to decide what I do on my trip.”

“What I think of you? I didn’t⁠—”

She held up a hand. “Explain why you think you have the right to speak for me or object to plans I make with others in Malta?”

He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. “I don’t. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

The quick apology helped, but she remained tense. Only time would tell if he meant it or if he was simply being placating and intended to control her every move over the next two weeks. Of course, that assumed his plan was to stay and not to demand she leave. She wouldn’t put it past him. Five thousand miles was a long way to travel to play companion when it would be easier to drag her home so he could get back to his team.

He’d made it clear on Tuesday he didn’t want her to go to Malta at all.

“I’m not leaving, if that’s your intention. This trip is too important to me.”

He shook his head. “I’m not here to convince you to go home.”

“Then how long are you here for? For real this time.”

“Either until you head home or the Navy yanks me back. If my team is tapped for a mission, I’ll have to go.”