Page 104 of Nest of Thieves
“That you’re all playing me.”
I hum. “I have the same concerns with you.”
She lifts her head from my shoulder, and even though it’s dark in her room, I can feel her gaze on me. “Do you think people like us can ever find love?”
“I don’t know,” I confess.
We fall silent and eventually fall asleep. My dreams are filled with Jo wielding a knife, striking me in the heart with a maddening grin. “You’re pathetic,” she whispers to me in a voice that isn’t her own.
And part of me believes the nightmare.
twenty-seven
JO
I don’t forget about the timeline Laurence gave me. Not intentionally. The guys have come on full force since the night we robbed the casino. Letting myself enjoy their presence, their touches, and their kisses is stupid. It’s beyond dumb, like a-fly-hitting-a-spider’s-web stupid. The more they shower me with affection, the tighter the spider’s silk wraps around me. Soon enough, I’ll be trapped, unable to break free and save myself.
Not that I want to.
“Time to go.” Mac knocks on my open door and heads straight to Atticus. “Hey, buddy, she treating you all right?”
“Please, he’s never had it better.”
I stand and grab the key fob Lark handed me earlier. The job tonight is simple. With his high-tech gear, we’ll find the cars they need to meet their monthly quota for their boss, and do it all within a matter of minutes. I haven’t forgotten part three of the casino job, but they’ve either had someone else complete it, or they’re waiting to initiate that phase. I want to ask, but I know they won’t tell me.
“Hmm. Lucky guy.” Mac straightens and checks me out, tugging his bottom lip between his teeth. It’s been four days since he and Lark sparred. Mac’s cheek is still bruised, but the split on his lip has mostly healed. There are countless other bruises all over his body, but they don’t slow him down.
“Am I dressed okay?” Lark said to wear all black. My yoga pants and tight long-sleeve top fit the bill, but Mac’s been staring for far too long.
“Only if you’re trying to give me blue balls.”
“You seem to be plenty apt at giving them to yourself,” I say, grabbing my phone from the nightstand and walking toward the door. Mac talked a big game about the primal play, but he’s yet to make a move. I’m only a little pissed about it.
“Kitten.” He takes my wrist and spins me around, pulling me close. “Are you pouting?”
I growl softly. “Don’t tease me, Mac Daddy. I still have your knife, and I’m not afraid to stab you with it.”
“Kinky,” he whispers, leaning closer. “Are you going to ask for it?”
Glowering, I take my hand back and step away. “You want me to beg?”
“Well, I hadn’t thought of it, but now that I know how upset you are, I quite like the idea of you whimpering for me to fuck you.”
My cunt clenches at his filthy words, but my heart isn’t as easy to forgive. “Where have you been this week?” I don’t mean physically, and we both know it. Mac has been distant. He’s still hugged me or touched me every time we were in the same room, but it hasn’t been filled with the same heat as before.
His cocky smirk melts away. “You’re mad.”
“Not mad,” I correct. “Just...confused?” I shake my head.
“Vette and Lark have been taking care of you?”
“They have, but I thought you wanted to, too. Did I do something wrong?” It’s annoying to have the grown-up conversation, but if I don’t do it, I’ll continue to wilt away in self-doubt.
“Never. You’re perfect.” He reaches for me again, but I side-step him, earning a tiny scowl.
“Then, what is it?”
He rushes me, grabbing hold before I can run. “Don’t run,” he says, eyes widening. “I didn’t mean to confuse you.” He pauses and searches my face. “Something happened last Sunday that brought up some things. I’ve been trying to get my head right.”
