Page 48 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
Sloane
I keep my eyes closed as false lashes are applied to my lids, the staff's work is methodical and actually fairly impressive. Shit. I wish I had this every day. After they dry I blink my eyes open and I can’t help but smile. I've totally started to get some color and my dark hair has gold streaks in it, pulled up in a cascading up-do that is not only complicated but somehow manages to look elegant and masterful.
My nails are now painted a diamond-like crystal shine to match my dress no doubt, and my makeup is actually a bit more neutral than even the test run yesterday, the artist using browns and golds to bring out my eyes. My lips are painted a hot pink to complement the entire look. I’m absolutely pleased with how it turned out. Despite, you know, having to wear such a horribly colored dress.
What? I don’t even feel bad about that thought—hot pink isn’t my color.
"You look gorgeous," Blaine says as I hop up, tossing him a smile, the staff beginning to pack up their extensive set up.
"Way to talk, handsome." I nod towards his hot, shirtless muscular chest.
"All for you, baby." He winks as I laugh sitting down next to him.
"Sloane." Royce's rumble has me shivering because holy hell he and Kaden destroyed me last night. I woke up this morning feeling sated and completely free of anxiety. Maybe that should be my anxiety medicine—hard fucking. I like that.
"Morning," I chime as Blaine adorably narrows his eyes at his brother. Is it wrong that I find it sort of hot that he’s jealous of not being first? Mostly though it’s funny as fuck because nothing, literally nothing, bothers Blaine besides his mom and shit. This could be a very opportune moment to tease him.
Instead I take the plate of food Royce offers me from the delivered breakfast, courtesy of Blaine's mother. I can see Royce smiling as I eat almost the entire plate, not having realized just how hungry I was. But fuck, I’m going to need it for sure, let's be honest there’s going to be nothing quick about this day. I chug down my coffee and let out a groan of relief.
"You're a little coffee addict." Kaden points out, walking in and looking bright fucking awake.
I scowl as River joins us, everyone relaxing into how comfortable this is, being together like this is now completely natural for us. So of course, someone has to ask the tough question.
"What did you guys find out at the casino last night?" Royce rumbles.
Blaine offers a smile as he nods toward Kaden’s laptop. “Paired with what we observed last night and the transactions we saw completed, we should have enough to prove what’s occurring. We were placed at a table with one of the buyers, some asshole, and for someone that was so ‘smart’ he was pretty fucking bad at poker. Although, he played mostly roulette which made it a bit more obvious than he probably realized. That was the point by the way, so cross referenced with the cost of the paintings and how much he was losing? That alone is enough proof. We think that the codes are somehow either hidden in the paintings or on them, it’s the only possibility because they didn’t exchange anything last night. It all looked like plain old regular gambling.”
“Do they have purchase numbers?” I ask softly.
“Like a serial code?” Royce tilts his head.
“Fucking genius.” River kisses the top of my head.
“So tonight we need to try to get a look at those paintings, and I am going to contact Walker—”
Kaden pauses as Royce speaks up interrupting.
“We also need to be on the lookout for Pierce apparently.”
The room freezes as I realize Kaden updated him. I intertwine my hands and speak, feeling worried about being judged even though I know they wouldn’t.
“I’ve been getting a weird feeling like I was being watched and I thought I kept seeing Pierce … and then Kaden found a fucking camera in our room and we think maybe he faked his own death.”
Blunt. Yeah, it’s my middle name.
“Fuck,” River snarls as I stand up breathing in.
“We’ve got this.” I nod. “Let’s just get through today.”
“I don’t want you without one of us.” Royce warns as I nod.
I absolutely love how protective they are.
“That motherfucker better not come within two hundred feet of me or my kitten, or he’s fucking dead. This time for real.” I hug myself tight to River’s chest, I understand how what happened in that boathouse in Seattle might still be haunting him. It certainly haunts me.
“Ready, guys? Let’s go finish this shit,” Kaden prompts us. “And remember, one of us is to have eyes on Sloane at all times.”
With our mission in mind and feeling more confident about the direction the day is going, I stand up and go to get dressed. Stepping into the master suite, I find my way to the closet as I examine the small dress I'll be wearing today. Honestly, at this point I may as well go naked. I mean what the hell would the difference be?
