Page 34 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

“Monroe.” Lucas’s voice was distant through the fog of sleep. I was content in our bed, wrapped up like a burrito in the comforter and dreaming of the warmer days that I knew were just weeks away.

So, I pretended I didn’t hear him.

“Monroe, wake up.” Lucas gripped my arm, shaking me gently. Still, I didn’t budge. “I see lights outside. I think it might be a UFO landing.”

My eyes peeled open, and I sat up with a start, trying to make my way to the window, nearly tripping over the sheets as they tangled in my limbs.

Lucas chuckled behind me as I pulled back the curtains.

The crescent moon stood guard in the sky as stars spattered the rest of the dark backdrop of the atmosphere.

“You lied.” I released the fabric, allowing it to cover the window once again.

“I had to wake you up.”

“It’s two in the morning, Lucas. Why?” I asked, looking at the clock on the nightstand. I pouted and trudged back to the cozy bed, dropping onto it dramatically.

“It’s time to go.” He ran the back of his hand along my cheek.

“Go where?” I asked .

“Romania.”

“To Romania? Now?” I grabbed onto his fingers, enjoying the warmth of them. In the dimness of the room, I could tell Lucas was ready to go. He was dressed, and the smell of his body wash drifted through the room, already freshly showered.

“Something like that, little thief. Time to go.” Lucas slid fingers through my hair.

Without further argument, I readied myself for the long flight to a country I had never been to, with sights I never imagined I would see.

The good thing about such a long flight was that I still managed to get some sleep before we arrived in Romania.

Evie stayed behind at Lucas’s since she had work.

She was guarded by extensive security around the property, while Fox joined us on our excursion.

There had been a constant look of concern on Fox’s face from the moment he found out Evie was staying behind.

He wanted to be there. To be the one to make sure she was safe.

Maybe he didn’t realize how badass my bestie was.

We pulled up outside of a villa after forever and a day of traveling. Men stood around of the cream-colored house, ready to greet us. Before one of them reached for the door handle, I shoved the door open, a look of surprise crossing the man’s face.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

Fox, Evan, and one of the other men began to unload the back of the car.

The man who attempted to open my car door moved closer.

“Mrs. Knight, my name is Avram. I’ll be your guide while you and Mr. Knight stay in Romania.

Let me show you to your room.” Avram’s timbre held a heavy accent.

It matched his stocky build, with a large frame that towered over me, a thick head of chocolate hair, and warm brown eyes that were focused.

Just as I was about to move forward, Lucas grabbed my arm, bending to my level and bringing his lips to my ear. “Don’t make me have to kill him for touching you.”

I reared back. Now I was the surprised one. “Lucas, if you would ever think I would do that to you, you married the wrong woman.”

“It’s not you I don’t trust.” His gaze slid to Avram, who stood with a perplexed expression, watching our exchange from several feet away.

“I can promise you, if he touches me, I will blow his kneecaps off myself,” I replied as I grabbed the front of Lucas’s T-shirt and yanked him down to my mouth. A groan of satisfaction rumbled from my husband’s chest as our mouths crashed together. All tongue and teeth and passion.

The display of affection brought forth the feelings I always felt. Like I could drown in Lucas and be completely at peace with it. Flaunting my relationship with him wasn’t just for his benefit or peace of mind. I wanted him. Badly.

“They’re newlyweds.” I heard Evan mumble and clear his throat.

Lucas pulled his mouth from my lips and rested his forehead against mine. “A little show to let him know you’re mine?”

“I’m pretty sure he was aware of that to begin with.”

Lucas just smirked and adjusted his now wrinkled shirt. “Go ahead, I’ll meet you inside in a few. I need to catch up with Jericho.” He nodded in the direction of the man.

I gave him a nod and followed Fox and Avram as they carried the bags into the villa.

The house wasn’t as big and overly boujie like Lucas’s or Sebastian’s homes.

This had a homier feeling, with a smaller foyer and typical staircase.

While there was a modern feel to most of it, there were also still touches of charming Romanian culture.

Woven carpets, pottery, and wood carvings were just a few of the adornments I spotted as we continued to the second floor.

Avram showed me to my room and gave me the run-down of everything before leaving me alone with Fox and Evan as they situated our luggage.

I couldn’t help but notice Fox’s regrettable expression as he stared down at his phone.

“Evan, can you give us a minute?” I asked.

He nodded before he exited the room.

“Are you pining for Evie?” I asked as I moved closer to him.

His mahogany gaze shifted to me, and he pushed his phone back into his pocket. “I hate being away from her. Not knowing if she’s going to be okay.”

“She can take care of herself, believe it or not. She has a crazy side that no one wants to see.” My lips tipped up into a smirk.

“Evie is a handful.”

“She is. But she’s also the best person I know. She would come running with me into a blazing fire if I needed her to.”

Fox sighed and took a seat on the edge of the mattress. “She is so much more than I could have ever hoped for. She’s different. Accepting. I don’t think I can go back to a world without knowing her.”

“Have you told her that?” I asked as I took a seat next to Fox.

“No. ”

“Maybe you should.”

“I’ll tell Evie my feelings if you admit yours to Lucas,” Fox replied, and a glint of his old playful self peered out from behind his sad eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I chewed on my bottom lip as I averted my gaze.

“I think you do, Mrs. Knight.” He bumped my shoulder.

“Ugh, how do you always see through me?” I slapped my hands over my face.

“You’re pretty easy to read. At least when it comes to my best friend.”

“I can’t believe this is my life.” My hands slipped down and landed in my lap. “I mean, who makes an arrangement with someone and starts falling for them. Especially Lucas.”

“He’s loosened up a lot since you’ve come into the picture. Well, not at first. But I can say that I don’t think he’s ever been this happy.”

“Ever?” I arched a brow.

“Ever.”

The immature side of me wanted to get on top of the bed and bounce until I couldn’t breathe anymore. Lucas Knight was happy. And it was because of me.

I pushed down the need to lose my mind like a teen finding out their celeb heartthrob noticed them in a crowd and looked back to Fox.

“He likes me, likes me?”

Fox chuckled. “He wouldn’t be so protective over someone that he didn’t care for on a huge level. I think it’s safe to say he likes you, likes you .

I rolled my lips, trying to stop the psychotic grin that wanted to appear on my face. “Evie likes you. She said you guys haven’t…”

“Had sex?”

I nodded. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“It’s not.” Fox was quiet for a moment. “I wanted to make sure she was worth the commitment that could come with. I’ve done casual hookups, and it’s not what I want. At least not with Evie.”

“Awwww. You are such a softy!” I nudged him with an elbow to his side.

We were quiet for a few moments before Fox asked, “Do you love Lucas?” The change in direction gave me pause.

“That’s a loaded question.” I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

Fox arched a brow at me, waiting for my answer.

A dry laugh left me and my palms began to sweat. “We’ve only known each other for a little over a month.”

“Do you think love has a definitive time when it’s acceptable?” Fox asked.

The intensity of the questions caused my heart to stutter in my chest.

Did I have feelings for Lucas? Of course. For multiple reasons.

We may have gotten off to a pretty rocky start when I crashed his car, but, ultimately, he had my back. He probably wouldn’t admit to anyone how he took care of me after Rocco’s beating when he easily could have employed someone else to do it. No one had ever tended to me so gently, carefully.

His grumpy demeanor had shifted the moment he saved me from Charles’s dungeon. The man who treated me like I was nothing more than a criminal had gone from one extreme to another. Now, he was my savior. The one person I could see myself standing beside for eternity. My husband.

Any fear I had about Lucas reverting back to his hardened self toward me dropped away and shattered to pieces. It was a kindness I didn’t deserve.

It wasn’t just how he was with me. It was how he made me feel.

Like at any moment my heart could just speed up and then halt in my chest just by the way he looked at me. Like the heat of a thousand suns burned in my belly whenever he was near. And, God, when he touched me… Lucas sent my body into overdrive.

My blood pumped double-time through my veins, electricity zipping through every cell. He lit up every darkened corner within me, unraveling the desires that hid in the shadows. Theimpulsive yearning to make Lucas Knight more than just an out for my debt.

Mine.

Mine.

Mine.

That’s what I wanted him to be.

Wholeheartedly, unabashedly mine.

With Lucas, feelings of excitement blazed through me. Every inch consumed by the glowing fire that he stoked to life.

Was that love?

“I—” The words froze on my lips like the very ice I loved to skate on as Lucas stalked into the room. My attention snapped to my husband. His handsome face was unreadable as he glanced between the two of us.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked .

“Actually, you are, friend,” Fox said, and a troublemaker grin spread across his face. “I was just asking—” I slapped my hand over his mouth before he could utter the words.

“He was oozing sensitive man baby vibes talking about Evie and how much he misses her.” Fox licked the palm of my hand, sending my body jerking away in disgust.

“Ew!” I rubbed my hand down my jeans, scrunching my nose up. “That was so wrong.”

“Hmmm,” Lucas grumbled with an arched brow. “I would love to talk more about this and find out what you were really talking about, but I need to give you both the lowdown.”

I hopped up from my seat, striding across the room to lock my arm with Lucas’s. With a firm tug, he chuckled and went along with me.

Fox trudged along after us, his mood slightly improved.

“What did Jericho say?” I asked the moment we arrived at the kitchen table. Lucas pulled out my chair, and I took a seat.

“The alleged affair is pretty well known; however, not much has been found in the case of the chest we are looking for.” Lucas sighed as he leaned his hip against the table and stared down at me.

“But Jericho and Avram were able to get a genealogist to get the information on Anastasia’s one relative.

We will rest today and head over to her house tomorrow. ”

“I’ve rested enough on the way here. Can we spend the rest of the day going to Vlad the Impaler’s castle?” I asked and batted my eyes.

Lucas chuckled. “I thought you were into aliens.”

“Can’t I be into aliens and vampires?”

Fox grinned. “Technically, he wasn’t a vampire. It was just because— "

“He maliciously murdered his enemies and put their heads on stakes for everyone to see. I know, I know.” I rolled my eyes. “Where’s your sense of curiosity, Fox? Geez.”

“All right, little thief. We can go and see all the historical parts of Romania today until your little heart is content.” Lucas held out his hand.

I hopped up in a heartbeat, placing my hand in his and pulling my husband behind me.