Page 43 of Nest of Thieves
My hackles rise. “What makes you think I can’t handle it?” I spit out the question with a little too much attitude.
Ihatebeing underestimated.
“Because you’d have to pretend to like me, mami. And right now? I can’t tell if you want to rip my head off or cut my heart out.”
“Either would work, but the heart is personal.”
“So, the head, then.”
It’s my turn to smirk. I put my hands on the back of the chair and shake my head. “The heart.”
He hums and glances at the guys. Lark is standing by me but not close enough to crowd me. Mac rubs his jaw and tips his head to look at me before turning to his friend. Vette gives him a small shake of his head and Mac scoffs, cracking his knuckles and bouncing his knee. Mac didn’t like whatever Vette tried to tell him.
“The job?”
“The job is simple. You and me go on a date at one of the fancy casinos.”
“That’s it? You’re joking.”
“Nope. You’ll be my date. These two will be busy stealing chips.”
“Let me do that. Surely, I’m better than them.” I’ve been learning to discreetly steal things since I was fifteen.
“Lark and Mac are pros. I don’t trust you enough to let you loose. You’re stuck with me.”
“How, exactly, is pretending to date you going to help?”
The tug of his lips is feral, like a wolf. “Because we’re going to make a scene.”
Their entire plan relies on Vette and me practically having a brawl on the floor. It’s a good plan, but I’m not sure the payoff will be worth it.
“All this for a few chips?” I look at the papers covering his desk. The same skull that’s on their matching rings is at the top of the header.
“It may sound lame to you, but it’s a good job.” Vette’s gaze shifts to the side.
He’s lying.
It doesn’t matter. Regardless of what they’re actually doing at this job, I’ll do what they want me to. Anything to gain more access and time to figure out who they work for. Stepping around the chair, I place my palms on the desk and lean toward him.
“When do we leave,doll?” I flick my gaze to the paper, but his hand is covering the contents now. I fight to keep a frown off my face.
“How does next Thursday sound?” The faint outline of a mustache above his lips is infuriatingly attractive. Nothing about Vette is clean-cut. He’s dangerous, like a loaded gun, and I’d be a fool to play with him.
I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.
Five sleeps until Thursday. Five nights in their home. That’s plenty of time to get the intel I need. For my family’s sake, I hope I can find it sooner. Laurence won’t wait that long, but I’m relying on the fact that he’ll come for me first.
“It’s a date. Don’t be late.” I quickly glance down again, but he’s still covering the header. “I’m tired and my head hurts.” I leave the room and Lark follows after me, leaving Mac with Vette. We set off toward the staircase, passing through the library on the way.
“I’ll get you some ibuprofen. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Water would be nice.”
“I’ll bring it up to your room.”
“Thanks.”
We separate at the stairs. I check on Atticus. He’s as happy as ever, content inside the confines of his vivarium. I open the suitcase full of weapons and stuff a gun between my mattress and box spring, just in case. Lark knocks on my door and I jerk around, scowling at him.
