Page 24 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

“I can’t believe you’ve never been skating before today,” Monroe said.

“It just was never a priority.” I shrugged and set Monroe’s bag on the ground by the front door of my home.

Monroe had looked beautiful as she glided across the ice, a huge smile pasted on her face, her nose and cheeks pink from the cold of the chilled air in the arena. Dark hair moved around her shoulders as she twirled like a ballerina on ice, her brown eyes lit up with glee.

And me, I fell on my ass more times than I would like to admit. She laughed and helped me to my feet, giving me tips on how to maneuver across the frigid surface. The sound of her snickers had made my heart speed up, and the need to kiss her again swallowed me whole. To claim her as mine.

I felt like a damn schoolboy with his first crush.

How could I start falling for the woman I’d loathed the first time I first heard her name?

Fox knew it from the very beginning. He read me like he always had been able to, but my denial wouldn’t let me see how fucking right he was. Until now.

Now I realized Monroe was the perfect match for me. And maybe, deep down, I knew that when I first offered to marry her for protection. Because the thought of anything bad happening to her launched a newfound fear and anger in me.

While I wanted her to agree to nuptials, I knew we needed to finish clearing the air.

I needed to tell her about Sarah.

“Why don’t you go change, and I’ll order us a late lunch,” I said.

“Okay. And then we can talk?” She tilted her head in an adorable way.

“We will talk.”

Monroe reached up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my cheek. Then I watched as she went up the stairs, until she disappeared around the corner. I couldn’t help the smile that made its way across my face.

“So, you got under her defenses.” Evie stood in the hall that led to the kitchen. Fox stood behind the pretty Latina woman.

“I wouldn’t say that.” I unzipped my jacket and hung it on the coat rack by the door.

“You like her, and she likes you,” Fox teased. “I take it she agreed to marry you?”

“Not yet.” I strode past them and into the kitchen.

They followed me, and I pulled out my phone to order food for Monroe and myself. Silence ensued as I clicked away on the screen and submitted our order, stuffing my phone back in my pocket.

When my attention landed back on Evie and Fox, the two of them looked like they were ready to come out of their skin with questions.

I sighed. “What? ”

“Do you have feelings for her?” Evie asked. Her arms crossed over her chest, her face stern. The interrogation had begun.

“Does it matter? I’m sure you’re aware of her becoming debt free with the Crimson Brotherhood.” My brow arched.

“Roe is a good woman regardless of the clan. I can tell she’s developing feelings for you. So, if you don’t plan on making this shit legit, then I suggest you back off the marriage crap and just have your agreement without it.” Evie cocked her head to the side.

Fox rested a hand on her shoulder. “Lucas does have feelings for Roe. He just won’t admit it.”

Evie glanced up at Fox, her demeanor shifting. “I just don’t want her to get hurt. Again.” Her scowl landed back on me.

“I’m not like Frankie, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“Sí, it is what I’m implying. Because if you go down the wrong road with my bestie, that pretty man face of yours won’t be so charming anymore.” Her nostrils flared.

I barked out a laugh. Shit. Evie and Monroe were perfect friends for each other. Monroe was a badass, but Evie was more hardened, where Monroe was soft.

“How are you not a criminal too?” I asked while I continued to chuckle.

“Who do you think helped her get into the museum?” A sinful smile grew across her face. “And her job with Raf? I’m not in the crime rings like I used to be, I have a normal job now . ”

I appreciated Evie’s wariness. Even if it was pointed at me. She cared about her best friend and looked out for her.

“Evie,” Fox said. “Lucas is an asshole, but he’s a good dude. Besides, he may seem straightedge, but he gets shit done. Legal or not. He’s the reason Roe is back here and safe. ”

“True. He could have left her there to rot.” She leaned herself back into my friend’s chest, seeming to relax a bit.

“Are you two a thing now?” I asked.

“Yeah, are you?” Monroe’s voice came from behind me as she entered the kitchen. She took a seat on one of the chairs at the island.

Fox and Evie looked at each other. “We haven’t decided.” Fox replied and cleared his throat.

“You mean you haven’t decided.” Evie put some distance between them. Some frustration apparent. “I’m going to head out.” She strode over to her friend and wrapped her in a hug.

“Evie, you don’t have to go.” Fox stepped closer, but she stepped back.

“I’m fine, Fox. I just have some errands to run.” She spun on her heel and left before he could respond.

“You know she’s not fine, right?” Monroe raised her eyebrows at my best friend.

“Yeah. I know.” Fox’s jovial attitude turned sullen in the blink of an eye. “I’m going to go… work.” He trudged out of the kitchen, leaving a trail of dismay behind.

“How sad,” Monroe commented.

“He’ll be fine. He just needs to get his head out of his ass.”

“Like you?” She giggled, her brown eyes full of playfulness.

“Exactly. Like me.”

Monroe bit her lip but kept silent. This was the moment I had dreaded from the start of all this.

I cleared my throat. “I ordered our food. It should be here soon.”

“Hmmm.” She folded her hands on the counter in front of her and stared at me expectantly. “Is that what you really wanted to tell me? Or are you procrastinating getting down to the nitty gritty of why you’re so fascinated with Anastasia’s Keepsake?”

I paused for a moment and rubbed my hand across my jaw . “The reason there is so much importance surrounding the chest and key… I need to find it so that I can offer it in exchange for my sister’s freedom from her husband.”