Page 159 of Nest of Thieves
My villains.
epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
JO
I finish clasping the choker around my neck when Vette knocks on my door. Looking over my shoulder, I grin as he steps inside in a full tux and bow tie. “Hey, babe.”
“You ready to cause trouble?”
“Maybe. Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” I slip into my heels and adjust the black cocktail dress. I was instructed to get dressed up and wear a wig. The red curls and green contacts look amazing with the outfit, but I haven’t had to put on a disguise in so long.
Ever since we took control of the A.C.K., there’s been no need for thieving. The year off was nice, but my heart is trembling in excitement, and my body is primed and ready for a flood of endorphins when we do...whatever it is they’re planning.
“Part three.”
I frown. “Part three...Oh! Wait. Part three?” The first time we did a job together, the casino, we only completed two of the three parts they had planned. I forgot about the third until just now, but I guess they never forgot.
“Yeah, mami. It’s time.” Vette grabs my hips and pulls me against his body.
“Lark and Mac?”
“Are getting ready too.” He drops his lips to my shoulder in a gentle kiss.
“Do I get to know the full plan this time?”
His teeth scrape across my skin, and I bite my lip to suppress the pleased sigh that wants to escape. “Last time we were there, Lark bugged the security system. Now that we have a clear path to the vaults, we’re going to hit those.”
“Why wait so long? What about the guards?”
Leaning back, he takes in the red wig and contacts. “We waited because you and I need to cause another scene, and we have men in position to deal with the guards who won’t come chasing after you and me. Remember how many we had to dodge last time?”
I bite back a smile. “You just want me to smack you again.”
“Maybe.” His gaze drops to my lips. “We needed to let time pass before we could go back on the floor and wreak havoc.”
“That makes sense. I’m sure they haven’t entirely forgotten about the last fight on the floor, but they’ll be looking for a blonde woman. Won’t they recognize you, though?”
“Maybe. But you’re a new date and I’m counting on them not remembering exactly what I look like. Besides, I have this.” He pulls out a small bottle of tattoo coverup from his pocket. “Can you help me put it on?”
“Yeah, but you’re going to need to take off your jacket and shirt.”
“You just want me naked.”
I go on my tiptoes and give him a kiss. “Maybe. I’m going to need sex when we get home, Vette. All this foreplay is going to kill me.”
Stepping back, he releases a dark chuckle. “I’ll give you all the orgasms you want, mami.” He undoes the top button. “I’ll make that ass red.” Another button. “I’ll make that sweet pussy weep.” And another. “I’ll—”
“Stop talking before I fuck the job up and make you take me right here, right now.”
He laughs again and mimes zipping his lips. Once he has his top off, I slather his forearms, wrists, and neck, covering the visible tattoos. He shrugs back into his shirt and jacket while I say goodbye to Atticus and check my phone. Having just eaten a mouse, Atticus is coiled around his tree branch. The extra-large vivarium the guys got me for Christmas needed its own stand, but Atticus deserves the extra space, and he’s more than content.
Knowing he’s happy, I grab my phone from the bedside table and see a picture message from Tori.
Tori: Just a week until we see you!
I smile at the selfie of her and my niece.
