Page 33 of Steal Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 1)
Chapter 14
Runaways
Sloane
River wasn’t fucking around when he talked about changing our look. It’s actually rather impressive how efficiently he works, as I sit watching the spectacle. He made calls to all three other boys and they returned quickly, so there’s really only one thing left to do. I currently stand in front of the bathroom mirror, carefully applying a rich navy blue tone to my hair that is thankfully temporary. I refused to cut my hair but honestly if I were going to cut my hair I’d have River do it because his looks freshly washed and styled.
Somehow he looks even hotter than before. It’s just fucking unfair.
I was so confused when he left the hotel room, trying to rationalize that he hadn’t just ditched my ass. But the relief when he came back in and kissed me before pressing the dye box into my hand in the Walgreens bag, made me worried that I’m growing attached to the man. I feel sore and my entire body is tingling with sensation from when he was buried deep inside of me. I know I’ll be feeling him for days. I’m trying to not consider the implications of what I’ve done, of what that means when it comes to my relationship with the other three men.
After thirty minutes, I wash out my hair in cool water and blow dry it into silky dark blue strands that actually look pretty freakin’ great. I figure that while we’re waiting, I can at least try to do something about changing my looks, so that I’m not immediately recognizable when we’re out in the open. I’m walking out of the bathroom when I nearly slam right into a large, muscular chest. I inhale Kaden’s delicious clean cotton scent and my head falls back to find a pair of intense blue eyes staring down at me.
“You’re back.” I chime with a small grin as his eyes warm up and his thumb runs over my bottom lip. I shiver at the feeling of his touch, as he searches my expression before noticing my hair.
“You dyed your hair, ” he states softly.
I nod. “River cut his.”
His smile widens “I swear to Christ, we can’t leave you two together. You always go and do some insane shit together.” And speaking about the devil …
“Looking good, kitten,” River calls out, walking across the main living room suite.
“Where are the others?” I ask as Kaden continues to run his fingers through my hair and I instinctively close my eyes and lean into his touch.
“We need to leave now.” Royce’s voice is authoritative and has my toes curling in response, I can’t help the physical reaction I always have in his presence, but what the fuck does it mean after what I just did with River? Why do I still want to be touched by Kaden and seek refuge in his arms? Why do I constantly search the room to meet Blaine’s gaze? I snap my head to the side and Royce freezes as Blaine walks past with a wink.
“Did you dye your hair, princess?” Royce asks quietly. A small flutter of warmth fills my chest because Pierce would have only noticed any physical change if he wanted to control it. For example, if I had gotten my entire head shaved, it would have only mattered just in terms of his approval. With my ex it was all about him. Yet these men are noticing a change of color. It’s refreshing and it has my pulse beating ridiculously fast. I’m all kinds of fucked up, I know.
“Yes.” I nod as Royce’s eyebrows shoot up and he throws an accusatory glance in River’s direction
“You saw the news, we had to,” River chirps looking fucking amused to be getting such a rise out of the brothers.
“You had to,” Blaine drawls.
“And her. If you didn’t see the FBI alert, I guarantee you that Sloane’s face was up there, right next to yours. They identified us through her. And then I was an asshole for saying that we should’ve killed her. And before you start lecturing me about how we take money and not lives, I’ve grown quite fond of our feisty kitten, so I helped change her appearance, to avoid getting caught as soon as we leave the hotel. You’re welcome by the way,” River chimes.
Royce bites out, “I love her hair, that was unnecessary.” I deflate slightly because that must mean that he doesn’t like it now. Right?
Kaden rumbles and shakes his head. “Royce she thinks that you don’t like her hair now. See what you’ve done?”
Royce snaps his head towards me. “What? Why? I didn’t mean it like that, Sloane.” I’m in his arms instead of Kaden’s instantly and yesterday comes crashing over me as I realize that he and I never got to talk after what happened between us. You know, after he literally devoured me at the motel? Yeah. We should probably talk about that. I shiver thinking about it and his eyes darken in response, pulling us into our own little world.
“You are beautiful, including with your hair like this,”he says, “I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. In fact, I shouldn’t have pushed you yesterday, if you weren’t ready …” Oh I was ready. And then some. Just wait until he finds out about River and I.
“It’s not about that,” I whisper. It was about distancing myself. A failed attempt. Eh. Oh well, sanity is a bit overrated and if we are being honest, I’d rather lose my mind than try to rationalize this situation. Idealizing? Yeah, you could say that. Fuck I’m so screwed.
“We need to leave.” River urges us walking up to the two of us as his hand finds its way to my lower back. I can feel the tension hike, something that wasn’t there before despite River not doing anything besides touching me lightly. It’s the way he touched me, the way he looks at me now is territorial, possessive and Royce noticed the shift. I’m sure both the other men did as well and that makes my chest clench uncomfortably.
“I see.” Royce mumbles looking at River and then back down at me. I open my mouth to say something but the TV flashes with the WANTED pictures again and any explanation flies out of the door. It seems to push the others into action as well because we’re packed and out of the door in seconds, a brand new SUV sitting in our parking space. I slip in and relax into the back seat as River sits next to me, causing Blaine to make a frustrated sound before taking the opposite side. Kaden watches us carefully, not revealing anything with his facial expression and Royce continues to look straight ahead as he begins driving.
Why does everything feel so tense now? And awkward? Am I imagining this? I look down at my fingers, at my now chipped nail polish. I really need to get some of my money from the bank so I can start having more options. I know eventually, this hostage situation will be over. And while I would love to say that this is going to all work out ‘HEA’ (Happily Ever After) style, it will still no doubt end in all the men realizing that whatever this is, it isn't worth their time. I swallow, shaking my head while watching the buildings passing by.
I don’t regret sleeping with River. In fact, in some ways it's the best decision I’ve made all year. And the worst at the same time, and not just because I’m in such a sticky situation. No, it’s the worst because it was by far the best sex I’ve ever had … ever. No exceptions. So that was fun and is totally going to ruin anything I might have after I leave these sexy, amazing men.
I mean, I suppose there could still be the ‘killing me’ option. But I know that’s no longer on the table, or is that wishful thinking?
Looking over at River, my toes curl slightly as I think about him pounding into me with his hard, rigid bare cock. I freeze as my eyes widen, a thought practically pulling the rug from under my feet.
