Page 202 of Wild Card

I turn in Talon’s hold, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, Doc.”

“That being said, you ever do something like this again, you won’t get laid for a week.”

Hunger fills his eyes, his lips coming to my ear. “Try it, Princess, and see what happens.” He takes my wrist and brings it to his mouth, skimming his lips along the make-up-covered bruises.

The memory of the other night replays in my mind. Handcuffs are definitely my new kink.

“We’re stealing Willow.” Jewls tugs on my elbow.

Talon reluctantly lets me go and I’m dragged to the corner where all the girls are waiting. We’ve been able to text, but this is the first time we’ve been together to discuss our disastrous sting.

Apparently, Max set up a tracking system to watch for the stolen items online. Robbie was monitoring it and picked up on the first sale. He was biding his time, but when ‘Carrie’ tracked back to Ember’s IP address, he was ready for us.

Harley is rubbing her lower abdomen, chewing her lips. She gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

I glance down at her hot pink Chucks, noticing her ankles swollen.

“You need to get off your feet.”

“I’m about to go home and rest before tonight. This baby is active. Probably shouldn’t have eaten so much.”

“I’ll be quick. Next time there’s a bust on a bitch, don’t leave me out.” Raven sulks. “I miss all the fun.”

“Well, your overbearing brother stole all our glory,” Ember mutters.

“Not me, I had a killer time watching her squirm,” Shayla triumphs.

“You were the perfect actress. Bravo!” I praise her with a raise of my glass.

Harley reaches for my wrist, twisting the new Cartier bangle Talon gifted me. “This is stunning.”

“Thanks.”

“I especially like the concealer covering the cuff marks.”

“How… I… Those aren’t…”

“Save it, Squeak. We all know handcuff marks when we see them,” Jewls pipes in.

No use in denying. I’m about to gush when Harley’s hand tightens painfully.

Her face pales, eyes glassing over.

“What’s happening?”

“Nothing… just a cramp. I think I need to use the restroom.”

“I’ll get Ace,” Ember offers.

“No. No one tell Achilles about this. He’s already overbearing. I think the baby is wrestling on my bladder. That’s all.”

Rowan removes Harley’s death grip, leading her away. I scan the room and rush to my brother at the bar.

“Chase, I think something’s wrong with Harley. But I don’t want to freak anyone out.”

He turns and follows me to the hallway restroom.

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