Page 19 of Nest of Thieves
No. Focus, Jo. You can’t keep stealing weapons.
Shaking my head, I grab the biggest box. There’s an impressive diamond, but it’s not what I’m looking for. I slide it into my clutch, anyway. Laurence never has to know. I make my way through two more boxes before I find the Sunrise Ruby. The red gem glitters under the lamplight. I run a finger over the face of it. Why would someone pay so much money for something so small? The ruby is beautiful, but I’d rather have a five-hundred dollar black pearl ring than this gaudy thing.
Whatever. It’s not my place to wonder why rich people do the things they do.
I secure the ring on my finger for now. It fits best on my ring finger. Why would anyone wear something so heavy? I put everything back inside the safe. My eyes fall on the gun and I chew on my lip. I already took a diamond. I should leave it. I really don’t need another weapon.
But it’s so pretty.
Fuck it.
I grab the gun. Glancing back at Edmund, I close the door. The locks click back into place, and I grab my phone, holding it in the same hand as the gun. I check to make sure the safety is on. Wouldn’t want to accidentally shoot myself.
I stand and step over Edmund. “I’d say sorry, but I don’t like lying.”
A dark chuckle filters into the room. “Eres graciosa.”
“English, Vette. Our little thief probably doesn’t know Spanish,” Lark says from right outside the door.
Freezing, I slide my gaze around the room. It’s just me and Edmund in here and he’s still passed out. I set everything but the gun on top of the desk.
“You know, if you like a woman, you should ask her out, not stalk her.” I take the safety off and edge toward the far wall so the door will give me coverage.
“But I brought you flowers,” a cheeky voice quips.
Mac.
“Gang’s all here, huh?” I squat and press my back against the wall, waiting for them to burst in.
“Don’t sound so disappointed,” Vette says.
The light shifts as they step closer and the door swings open. My position was a good choice. They don’t notice me behind the door.
“Boo.” I aim the gun between Vette’s eyebrows. The sparkle of the ring on my finger catches my attention for a second, but I ignore the urge to admire the pretty gem and focus on the alpha assholes.
“Mierda,” he says, throwing his tattooed hands into the air. “Blonde again, mami? I told you I like your natural hair better.”
“Why are you following me?” I squint at Lark. His long black hair is tied back and he’s wearing all black like Vette. That leaves Mac behind him. His tattoo sleeves are gorgeous in the dim lighting. I bet they look even better during the day. This is my first time seeing him without a mask and goddamn him, he’s gorgeous. His hair is shaved on the sides, and the longer black pieces on top are slicked back, the style reminiscent of Andy Biersack from Black Veil Brides. It should be a crime for all three of these alphas to be so damn hot.
Shaking myself from my gawking, I point the gun at all of them in turn.
“You took our money,” Mac says with a shrug.
“Technically, I was there first, so by the official laws of thieves, the money is mine.”
Lark wrinkles his nose. “That’s not a thing, and you didn’t get the money out of the bank. We did.”
“I would have gotten the job done if you hadn’t ruined it with your little bank robbery,” I growl.
“You’re adorable when you’re mad, you know that, right?” Mac asks.
He’s annoyingly charming.
“Shut up.” I point my gun at Mac, but that only makes his smile widen. I catch a glimpse of his tongue ring when he runs his tongue over his bottom lip.
“What are you doing here with this guy?” Vette asks, grabbing my focus. He takes a step back and cranes his neck to look at Edmund on the floor behind the desk. “You drug him too?”
“Why do you care?” I ask, flicking my gaze to my ring. I force myself to look away, but it’s too late. Vette’s eyes are already zeroed in on my hand. The wheels immediately start spinning inside his head. “Don’t even think about it.”
