Page 46 of The Thief

“Apparently, it was a crime ring. I’d funnel money out of their accounts and into his. I was acting as a banker or financial advisor. It’s bad. So bad that if any of those people were important, I could spend the rest of my life in Breed jail. Or worse, as an indentured servant. You never know the punishment the higher authority will inflict. If this got out, it would ruin Tak’s reputation for housing a criminal. Those victims could demand reparations since he’s my Packmaster. When they find out I’m broke, that’s what they’ll do. Argento was very direct, and he’s threatening to ruin me if I don’t help him.” I looked at Bear with worry in my heart. “He scared me.”

Bear put his arm around my shoulder, and relief washed over me.

“After he left the bar, I lied to everyone when they asked what he wanted. What choice did I have? If I tell anyone, I’ll incriminate myself. I have to give him what he wants, but he won’t say what it is.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not sure. We were in a public place, so maybe he didn’t want to say it out loud. He’s got me rattled, and I’m sick to my stomach thinking about it.”

When Bear gave my arm a light squeeze, I leaned into him.

“I’m an awful person.”

“The hell you are.”

His sharp words made me sit back.

“You’re the most caring woman I know. Smart, funny, thoughtful, and…”

“And what?”

“Beautiful.”

No one had ever called me that before. Cute, adorable, pretty—even sexy. But never beautiful. I wiped away my tears and gestured to his guitar. “Play me something. It might settle my nerves.”

After a beat, Bear got up and brought the guitar with him. He set the instrument in his lap, positioned his fingers on the bridge, then played a romantic melody. I listened in awe while he pulled each note into thin air with his fingers. He was so skilled that the strings didn’t squeak when he moved his fingers.

At the end of the song, he flattened his hand over the strings to blanket the room in silence.

I shook my head. Every time I turned around, Bear was surprising me. “You’re so talented. I wish I could learn to play like that.”

“You can.” He set the guitar on my lap and positioned my left-hand fingers. “Try that.”

I strummed hard several times, and Bear laughed.

“The strings aren’t your enemy,” he said, “so don’t beat them up.” He reached over and lightly brushed his fingers across the strings, creating a beautiful sound. “Stroke them like you would a lover.”

I mirrored what he did, and he showered me with undeserved praise. When I handed the instrument back to him, he stretched over and propped it beside the love seat.

“What do you plan on doing?” he asked.

“I don’t know yet. That Mage thinks I’m conspiring against him with a partner. Maybe he’s right and they have whatever it is Argento wants. What if they’re the one who erased my memory?”

“That makes sense.” Bear absently stroked his beard while staring at the bed. “Did he give you a deadline?”

“He’s giving me time to get it, and I’m supposed to call him. If not, he’s going to wreck my life.” I reclined my head and sighed. “I’d rather be dead than have my name ruined. That sticks with you forever. Even if it’s true, it doesn’t seem fair, since I can’t remember any of it.” I turned toward him and curled my legs beneath me. “Holy mackerel. It’s like an icebox in here. Why’s it so cold?”

“This is the first room the air reaches, so it gets chilly. That’s why I like it.”

I watched the rise and fall of his chest, thinking how uncomfortable he seemed in his own room. Dare I ask?

“Do you normally sleep in a long-sleeved shirt?”

“No.”

“Then take it off. This is your room—you should be comfortable.”

Bear faced ahead. “I don’t like showing my body.”

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