Page 5 of Prettiest Little Thief
I pushed the chair back with force, my nostrils flaring in irritation. “What about my car?”
“Well, someone stole it.” She swallowed thickly.
“What the hell do you mean someonestolemy McLaren? Your employees don’t know how to lock cars?” I glanced at Tomas. “We’ll have to finish this another time, Tomas. I’ll have someone contact you about the transfer.”
“That’s the thing, sir. The valet—the woman you gave your keys to, she doesn’t work for us.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
The receptionist shook her head, eyes wide. “I… I’m sorry, sir. The police have been contacted.” I strode out of the room, the woman following behind me.
Attention back on my phone, I dialed and put it to my ear. “Fox,” I snapped. “Get in touch with Officer O’ Neal. I have a little thief on my hands.”
Chapter Four
Monroe
Monitors beeped and the smell of disinfectant burned my nose as I waited for the doctor to come and examine me. A police officer stood guard outside my hospital room door, and the cold metal of the handcuff was bitter against my wrist. The metal clanged every time I moved my arm or switched positions. I was only able to move so far, since the other end of the handcuff was secured to the bedrail.
My eyes hurt from crying. Who was I kidding… my whole damn body hurt. The whiplash of the accident left me with the sensation of a full body bruise. I didn’t even want to think about what it would feel like tomorrow.
Frankie had left me and gotten away. When they asked who the man was with me that had disappeared, I didn’t speak a word. Even if I was angry with him for leaving me behind, I didn’t want to drag him down with me. It was all my fault we were caught anyway.I was caught.
I should have stuck to the plan.
Fresh tears spilled from my eyes, and I inhaled a deep breath. I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to calm the panic that rose in my chest.
“Well, aren’t you the prettiest little thief.” My eyes flew open at the unfamiliar voice. At the end of my bed stood theowner of the McLaren I had stolen. His hands were in the pockets of his slacks, but he was sans his suit jacket, with a crisp, white, button-up shirt rolled up to his elbows, showcasing the ink he had tattooed into his skin. That piercing azure gaze was locked on me. He was even beautiful in fluorescent lighting.Eck.
I licked my dry lips, not really sure if I should say anything.
“Monroe Whitlock, right? You were the valet who took my car to be parked.” He cocked his head to the side. Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face.
“How… why are you in here?” I asked. Because I was pretty sure that the police weren’t supposed to allow anyone into the room except hospital staff.
“I have friends in high places. I do them favors. They return them.”
I tried to sit up more in the bed but winced from the pain that rolled through me. “That doesn’t explain why you’re in my room. Just the how.” Knots began to form in my belly. What if he was here to hurt me? To get payback for damaging his expensive car. All while the police turned their back. I had been in an accident, so if he left marks, no one would think twice.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“A proposition?” I echoed. Some of the knots untangled in my gut.
“Have you heard the word before? Or are you not educated?” His hard, icy gaze cut through me.
Annoyance thrummed through me at his insult. “Are you going to tell me what thispropositionis or are you going to continue to be a jerk.”
He chuckled darkly. “A jerk, huh? Is that all the name calling you’ve got?” His smile was cruel, showing off his beautifulsmile. “A felon who doesn’t want to call me something more than ajerk. You won’t last in prison.”
“Say what you came to say or get out,” I seethed.
He stalked closer to the bed and came to the side, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. The smell of mint and soap surrounded me as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. I inhaled a little deeper, enjoying the scent of him a little too much. “This proposal has a purpose. It would keep you out of prison.”
I rolled my lips. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“I need you to steal something for me. If you can procure the item, I’ll make sure all your legal problems go away.”
“Is it a car?” I asked as I arched an eyebrow.
