Page 23 of Prettiest Little Thief
Taking initiative, I walked across the room to the security guard who stood in the doorway. “Excuse me.” A saccharine smile spread across my face and I batted my lashes at him. His stance relaxed when his gaze took me in from head to toe. I fought back the grossness I felt at being checked out and having to flirt a little. “Can you tell me ifAnastasia’s Keepsakeis on display yet? We’ve been looking everywhere since we heard it will be here.”
“No, ma’am. It won’t be out for another few weeks when the new exhibit is brought out.”
“Shoot. They probably have it stashed in the back then, huh?” I tried to sound nonchalant as I let out a soft giggle.
“Under lock and key.” The guard gave me a grin before winking at me.
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to come back when it’s out.” I puffed out my bottom lip in a mock pout.
“I look forward to it,” he replied, his eyes lingering a little too long on my chest. Talk about heebie jeebies.
Turning on my heel, my false smile fell, and I marched back over to Lucas, who was watching the whole scene from a few feet away. His irritation seemed to flare to life again, and a frown pulled at his eyebrows.
“It’s stored in the back.” I grabbed his sleeve and led him out of the exhibit. We had passed a couple of doors marked asEmployees Only, and I would bet money that all of the soon-to-be displayed artifacts were behind those doors.
Chapter Thirteen
Lucas
Last night was spent in the gym until my muscles burned, twitched, and begged for mercy. Not just because of the major fucking dilemma Sebastian had created for me but also because Monroe’s mouth was the sweetest fucking poison I had ever tasted.
I wanted more.
Nothing could happen between us. It would be a disaster because I was a disaster.
So, I welcomed the distraction of the key being moved to the museum. Used my anger to pull myself away from the situation with Monroe. My body kicked and screamed on the inside at being torn from such a magnetic force. And even still, I cut myself free from the lasso she had roped around me, trying to bind me to her. Not that I believed that was her intent.
The kiss was quick thinking on her part when Sebastian and his guards walked in on us snooping. Cameras were something I didn’t think about while at the masquerade. Monroe’s poor excuse of a dress drew the attention of every bastard there and put me on edge, causing me to lose most of my brain cells and dulled my thought process. So much so that I had completely forgotten about one of the most basic things at parties like Bash’s.
Eyes everywhere.
What was wrong with me?
Then, on the way to the museum, some sort of sick satisfaction came from her declaration. A jealousy brewed internally, fueled by the relationship Monroe had with Fox.With my best fucking friend. Even though I knew that he had the hots for Evie.
There was an easiness they shared, where Monroe and I had nothing but rigidity. Of course, the majority of that was my fault. Life and business had hardened me, warping me into the stone-faced man I was today.
Monroe was the only other person aside from Fox who could crack through my rough exterior. To know that she held that power scared the shit out of me. So, I continued to rebuild the walls around myself again and again and again. Every laugh she drew from me damaged the foundation. Every smile. Every time she caught my eye. Every fucking thought about her chipped away at what I used to separate myself from people.
My thoughts should be on getting the key, the chest, and Sarah. That was my priority. But I watched as Monroe flirted with the security guard, clenching my jaw. As she turned my way, her amorous grin dropped instantly. A good thing, right?
Dammit.
Did she give me the same treatment? A deceptive smile to win me over?
No. She couldn’t. Because most of the time we argued. She didn’t give a shit if I liked her or not. Monroe didn’t bat her long lashes at me or act the part of a siren. A woman who sang a seductive tune to lure me into giving her what she wanted.
She hated me.
Good.
The more she hated me, the better. It would keep a wedge between us and allow me to focus on more important things.
Our shoes clapped on the tile of the empty hallway, Monroe’s grip on my sleeve unforgiving. She didn’t stop until we reached the sign that saidEmployees Only.
“This has to be it,” she said.
“Did the sign give it away? Or the guard?” I snarked. Jesus, even my tone didn’t hide my bitterness.
