Page 44 of Nest of Thieves
So much for a good hiding place.
“Can I come in?”
“It’s your house.” God, I’m being such a dick. “Sorry. Yes, come in.” I should at least try to be nice. They won’t give me any information if I’m a bitch. While I am pissed at them for stealing the ring from me and putting my family in danger, they could have left me at the crash site. They could have let the cops find me and let God-knows-what happen. I probably would have been sent back to my family with a few felonies in my back pocket. They saved me from motherly wrath and have unknowingly given me time to make another plan to make things right with Laurence.
One that I won’t screw up this time.
“Here.” He hands me three gel pills and a bottle of water.
“Thanks.” I quickly take them and gulp down water, capping it and waiting for him to say something.
Lark eyes the bed. “I should take that.”
I don’t respond.
“But I won’t.” He puts his hands in the pockets of his dark gray jeans. “I get it. You don’t trust us. I can’t blame you, but if you hurt my family, you’ll regret it.”
“Same to you.”
He frowns a little, but I don’t elaborate. A yawn forces my mouth to open. I cover it with my hand and blink, head aching.
Lark glances at the stitches. “You should sleep. Your body is probably exhausted from the accident. Are you sore?”
“A little. My neck is tight.”
“Your door has a lock. If you need anything, you can knock on mine.” He takes a step back, sweeping his gaze over the room.
“Looking for boogeymen?” I tease, sitting on the bed before my legs give out.
“You can never be too careful. There are cameras all over the house.”
I sigh. “You think I’m going to snoop?”
His smile is blinding. “I know you want to. The feeds all run to my laptop.”
“Basically, every move I make, every step I take?”
He hums the song before whispering, “I’ll be watching you.”
“I knew you guys were stalkers when I met you.”
“Stalkers would probably be safer,” he admits.
I do a double take at his words, but he presses his lips together and dips his head, leaving the room and gently closing the door behind him.
Who exactly are these guys, and what sort of business are they wrapped up in?
* * *
I do sleep, but not as long as I should. I wake up with a jolt around three, sweat covering my body as my heart hammers against my ribcage. Reliving the crash in my dream felt as real as the first time. My muscles are a little tense, but after a few steadying breaths, I calm down. I sit in the bed and wrap my arms around my knees. One of the alphas snores. The sound is so faint it doesn’t bother me. Sleeping next to it might be annoying, though.
I slip out of the bed, straightening my baggy Sex Pistols sleep shirt and black cotton shorts. I tiptoe to the door. Lark told me there were cameras, but frankly, I don’t give a damn. I need to know more about who I’m dealing with. I need to explore without them breathing down my neck.
The door opens without a squeak, and I send a silent thanks to the construction company. Non-squeaking hinges are a thief’s best friend. I shoot my gaze up and down the guys’ doors. Mac’s is slightly ajar. He’s the snorer. Go figure. Lark and Vette have theirs firmly shut. No slivers of light. No sounds. Nothing but the peace that belongs in a home when everyone is fast asleep.
Silent as a cat, I slink to the stairs and head to the main floor. My steps are sure and my breath even. I can’t be caught. Aside from Laurence, these men are by far the most dangerous I’ve encountered.
Is it wrong that I want to be caught?
