Page 9 of Prettiest Little Thief
“True.” I relaxed a bit and dropped my arms to my sides.
“Aliens, huh?” His brow arched.
My cheeks felt hot. I loved anything extraterrestrial. Shows, shirts, trinkets, everything. One time, I even visited Area 51. Although, it wasn’t really a visit, per se. More like a drive by. There was no way I was going to be held at gunpoint if I went too close. “I like them,” I replied. I wasn’t going to give him any information about me that wasn’t necessary to our deal. I’d keep it short. “When will we discuss the key?”
“We have plenty of time for that. Get some rest.”
I watched him as he strode out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Six
Lucas
Monroe had called. In desperation, of course, but I didn’t care. I was going to get the felon to do my dirty work. Not that I really needed her to be the one to retrieve the key toAnastasia’s Keepsake.There were plenty of other options in my employ, but I wanted to watch her squirm. She deserved worse for wrecking my car and stealing from me. This was one way for her to realize who she fucked with.
Those doe eyes of hers, no matter how alluring, were not going to pull me off track. Even with how cute she looked in her alien pajamas, standing in my sister’s old room. Women of all types had tried over the years, and while I enjoyed the occasional fuck, I would not let it be anything more than a one nightstand.
I had a business to run and a name to uphold. All because of my father. He’d left everything me, his only son, while marrying off his only daughter. To a monster, no less.
It took willpower not to toss the tumbler of whiskey across the room. My hand clenched around the crystal as I took a sip of the amber liquor.
“Were you nice?” Fox asked from the doorway of my home office. His tall frame leaned against the doorjamb as he popped candy into his mouth.
“Nice enough,” I murmured.
“She seems like she’ll be good for the job you have her on.” He crunched on his treat, pouring more from the small bag into his hand. “Want some?” he offered, raising the bag in my direction. I glared in response, and Fox huffed a laugh. “Geez, bro, you’re really letting this shit get to you.”
“She crashed my fucking car, Fox. I spent a lot of time and money modifying it.” My irritation flared higher. “Not to mention, my meeting with Tomas was interrupted because of her little fucking joyride. It was about Sarah.”
Fox straightened and pushed away from the doorframe. “First of all, like you don’t havebillionsof dollars to replace the McLaren. Secondly, it seems like you found out what you needed to know. You have a plan.” He strode into the room, taking a seat in the chair in front of my desk. “Roe will get it for you.”
A laugh I didn’t quite feel escaped my throat. “Like you know this woman after spending an hour with her. Did you have a nice chat on the way back from the jail?”
Does Fox find her as attractive as I do? Does it matter if he does?
“Yeah, man. She’s chill. A lot less intense than you.” He cracked a grin and popped another sweet into his mouth.
“Shut up.”
“The key is only one part of the keepsake. Do you have a plan for afterward?”
“I’m thinking about it.” I tapped my finger against the glass. “I’m having Jericho look into it a little more. He’s checking to see if there’s a trail of history behind the box.”
“Do you think you’ll have her do that part of the job too?”
“Depends.” Fox stared at me, waiting for me to continue. I hadn’t planned to speak on it further, but he wasn’t going to let it go. I swallowed down the last of the alcohol, letting it scorch mythroat. Enjoying it, even. “If she can do shit correctly. If she fucks up, no. If she manages to get the key without incident, then… maybe.”
Fox pointed a finger at me, squinting and inspecting me. “You have the hots for her.” His jovial smile spread.
“How did you get that out of us discussing the keepsake?” I scoffed. Something I already knew the answer to. We had been friends for longer than we hadn’t. Over half of our lives.
He shrugged. “I just know you.”
“Even if I think she’s attractive, it doesn’t negate the fact that she’s a thief, and the only reason I’m allowing her here is because she’s exactly the type of person I need to get this shit done.”
“You know plenty of other people who could help you out. You chose her. Why?”
“Do I need to explain everything I do to you?” I arched a brow.
