Page 32 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

An overwhelming sense of peace overcame me after clearing up everything with Lucas.

I thought for sure he would give me the cold shoulder after needing time to myself after Frankie’s little visit.

But my anxieties were calmed, and the sense that I was dangling from a precipice by my fingertips had fled me.

In the position of power in his business, he had to be seen as a hard ass. Unmovable and stern. Like he was when we first met. And then, something softened in him. I hadn’t expected it. Certainly didn’t deserve it. But he had given it to me regardless.

“You guys fucked?” Evie asked around a bite of her croissant. The other patrons at the bakery nearly broke their necks at the tables surrounding us to see who had made the statement.

Luckily, we had shooed Fox away to another table on the far end of the establishment. He had been reluctant at first, until we started badgering him and telling him we needed to have serious girl talk. We might have also mentioned it had to do with periods.

My cheeks burned, and I covered my grin with my coffee cup as I took a sip. “Say it a little louder for the people in the back.”

“Sorry. I’m just so proud of you.” She dusted the crumbs from her fingers on a napkin. “How was it? ”

“We didn’t have sex. But he went down on me.” I groaned and sat back into my chair as the memories came flooding back. The feel of his mouth on the most intimate part of me. The racing of my heartbeat and the feeling of being safe with Lucas in more ways than one. “It was amazing.”

“You guys didn’t do it?” Evie’s brows came together.

“No, we were interrupted,” I said with a sigh.

“Interrupted?”

My smile faltered. “Frankie showed up.”

Evie’s eyes widened. “You’re fucking joking. How did he find you? What did he say? Did you punch him?”

“Hold on.” I held up my hands. “You’re going too fast.”

“Ese estúpido punk.” She tore a piece of her pastry and tossed it into her mouth.

“I’m not sure how he found me. Maybe he followed me. I don’t know.” I bit my bottom lip. “We heard a noise just as we were going to…”

“In your room? How did he not get caught by security?”

“Frankie climbed the side of the house. Lucas relieved most of the security for the night so we would have more privacy. So, he must have snuck around.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Also, he had to have known which room was mine, so he’s likely been watching for a while.

He saw his opportunity with a lack of guards and decided it was time. ”

“What a creep.”

I shrugged. “He is a creep. It took me way too long to realize it. I pretty much told him he had abandoned me in everything and told him to leave. After punching him in the face… twice.”

Evie slapped the table and laughed. Again, everyone turned to glare at us. “That’s my girl. ”

I locked eyes with Fox from across the room. His brow was raised, and he took a sip of his coffee. I turned my attention back to Evie. “I should also mention that Lucas came in while he was there.”

“Please tell me he kicked his ass.”

“No. But I’m sure he would have if I didn’t ask Lucas to let him leave. Scratch that, I think he would have killed him.”

“Dammit.” Evie scowled. “All I know is he better not catch me in the streets. I’ll drop kick his ass.”

“Enough about me. What’s up with you and Fox? Have you done the genital tango?”

Evie pouted. “Sadly, no. But we did have some good conversation.”

“What? You guys were all goo-goo ga-ga over each other and you didn’t do anything?”

Evie shook her head. “He said he wanted us to become familiar with each other before we went there. Can you believe that shit? What man gives up a perfectly good night of sex for conversation ?”

“No man I know,” I replied with a giggle.

“Exactly.”

We sat for a little while longer before standing to leave. When we exited the door of the shop, the bitterness of the morning was starting to leach away. Tables were being assembled outside along with chairs.

A black car pulled up to the curb in front of the bakery, making me step back. Dread trickled through my veins and my breath caught in my throat. Fox pushed himself to the front of us and pulled his firearm from its holster .

No one emerged from the passenger side. However, the car turned off, and a tall man I recognized came around the car and into view.

Tweedle-Dee. Evan.

“What are you doing here? We had a deal with Charles that this shit was over once Lucas paid him,” Fox cocked his gun.

Evan pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head and held up his hands.

“Lucas paid him off already?” I asked. Fox didn’t answer me, his focus stayed on Evan.

“I’m not here because of Charles. Quite the opposite, in fact.” Evan’s gaze swept to me and Evie. “Hi, Monroe. Good to see you’re feeling better.”

I swallowed. “Thanks.”

“I want to leave the Crimsons and ask Lucas for employment.”

My mouth popped open in surprise, and I glanced at Evie, who looked like she was about ready to tear Evan to pieces. “What?”

“I’d like to ask Mr. Knight for a job.”

“If you fuck with my friend, I’ll end you myself. Understand?” Evie asked and stepped to Fox’s side. Her dark hair swayed in loose waves behind her.

“Understood. Now, can we talk to your husband, Mrs. Knight?”

I adjusted the strap of my purse on my shoulder, Evie’s chocolate eyes pinned on me. She waited for any sign that I wasn’t okay with it. Like she would pounce if I gave the word.

My head nodded. “Okay. Follow our car.”