Page 61 of Prettiest Little Thief
“If it helps, I may have some information you find valuable,” Evan chimed in.
“I highly fucking doubt it,” I scoffed and poured myself a glass of liquor before knocking it back. It was early, but the need to feel the burn was overwhelming since I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You’re looking forAnastasia’s Keepsake?”
My fingers gripped the tumbler tighter, and my gaze went to my wife. She shook her head, surprise lighting up her beautiful face. “What do you know about it?” I asked.
Evan’s lips tipped up into a smirk. “Word gets around when you work for gangsters. We have to know their enemies. I’ll tell you, but only if we come to an agreement.”
“Why do you want to work for me? Why not just stay with the Crimsons and keep their secrets?”
He shrugged and glanced around my office. “Sick of all the shit Charles and Rocco have been up to. I never signed up for hurting women.” His stare landed on Monroe and a pained expression pulled at his face. “Among other things.”
I clenched my jaw. Did he have a thing for my wife? Is that why he had gone to her seeking employment from the Knights? “Keep your eyes on me or I’ll pluck them from your fucking skull.” Fox and Evie tried to stifle their chuckles as they leaned into each other, shoulders shaking. “If you two can’t keep quiet, the door is right behind you,” I barked.
The two of them backed out and let their laughter loose after closing the door behind them.
Monroe came to sit in one of the chairs before my desk and Evan followed suit, sitting beside her. My fingers drummed on the glass before I released it to sit back in my seat. The onyx leather hugged my sides, and my brain still wasn’t sure what to do with the traitor in front of me.
“What would you like to do with him, Monroe?”
“You’re asking me?” Her doe eyes widened.
I smiled at her shock. “I am.”
She glanced at Evan and then back to me, seeming unsettled. “I know how important it is for you to find the second half of the keepsake. And if it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.” She chewed on her lip before she continued. “It has taken a while for your men to get back to you on the whereabouts. Maybe if Evan can help narrow it down, we could finish this once and for all.”
I contemplated it for a moment. Monroe was right. The need for the bargaining chip to get Sarah out of her marriage was taking a fuck ton longer than I would have liked.
“Do you trust him?” I arched an eyebrow at my wife.
“That’s a stretch.” Monroe peered at Evan. “No offense.”
“None taken.” He shifted in his chair. “Look, I need an out from under Charles’s thumb. And you’re it. I just figure we can both get something out of it.”
Evan’s confidence was a surprise. Not many men would be willing to cross enemy lines to offer an exchange of information for a job. He had balls, that much was sure. I respected it.
I sipped my drink in thought. “I’ll give you a job if you can give me valuable intel on where the chest might be. If I find it unsatisfactory, then the deal is off.”
“I can handle that.”
“Let’s hear it, then. I would like to have some time with my wife today.” My gaze skimmed over Monroe, and her lips twitched with amusement as her hands gripped the arms of the chair. Fuck, I would love nothing more for her to dig her nails into my flesh like that.
“There’s a living relative of Anastasia’s in Romania. She’s never had children, so if anyone is going to know where the chest might be, it’s her.”
“The chest might be in Romania?” Monroe asked.
“Yes. But that’s not all I need to tell you. Out of spite, Charles is trying to decide if he wants to head there and take it for himself. He sent some men to Romania recently but had no luck. He wants to hold power over you and Monroe again. He’s still royally pissed about you holding him at gunpoint and shooting Rocco.” Evan rubbed his hands together and leaned forward.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Monroe’s mouth dropped open. “I thought this was squashed. Now we have to potentially deal with the Crimsons again?”
Dammit. “We’ll just have to get to Romania as soon as possible. Question Anastasia’s family member and get to it before Charles can figure out if he’s going to pursue the chest.” I ran my thumb across my bottom lip, and my wife followed the movement with her eyes.
“Is it good enough for a job?” Evan asked, hopefully.
A few moments passed as I stared at Monroe. She gave a subtle nod.
“You have a job with the Knights. I’ll have Fox give you the downlow on the way things work. Keep in mind, I’ve known Fox a long time, and he will report any bullshit to me.”
