Page 41 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

The following day, I was full of anxiety and uncertainty about how trading the chest would go.

I twisted my hands in my lap on the ride to Christian’s until Lucas reached over and placed his hand in mine. His way, I assumed, of being there for me.

He had held me the entire night, our naked forms intertwined after lovemaking.

Whispering sweet nothings and praise with every orgasm Lucas wrung from me.

We had come to a place of higher understanding, and I knew that he would be there for me regardless of the outcome with his sister. And I would be there for him, too.

Evie had refused to hang back for the meeting and took a separate car with Fox. They would wait down the street and only be called in for back up. Which I was hoping would not be needed. Jericho and Evan would accompany us into the lion’s den.

I cleared my throat and slid my fingers through Lucas’s as he drove the sleek Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 43. My focus was so scattered, I couldn’t even enjoy the gorgeous car we rode in. “What’s the plan?”

His grip tightened in return and brought our joined hands to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles.

Never once did he take his eyes off the road.

“Christian knows I have the chest and key for him. He knows I’ve wanted Sarah out of their marriage forever and I’d do just about everything to get them divorced. ”

“And does Sarah want to be divorced? Have you ever asked?” I stared at his profile.

“She never wanted to marry Christian to begin with. He has devilish tastes, and there is a rumor he’s had an illegitimate child from an affair.

But he’s brought women back to their house even while my sister is there.

Sarah isn’t allowed to talk on the phone without someone present, so when we do have conversations, she can’t get into details without a punishment. ”

My heart squeezed in my chest. “Why would your father arrange for her to marry someone so vile?”

“Money. He knew it would be a beneficial joining of families.” Lucas snorted and shook his head. “And it would get her away from her lover.”

“And it hasn’t been? Beneficial, I mean.”

Lucas shook his head. “Maybe it would’ve been if my dad was still alive, but now there’s no reason for our family to have anything to do with Christian.

Besides, I was able to pull Sarah aside at a family dinner a couple of years ago, and she begged me to help her.

To get her out of the marriage. She had bruises from him.

Christian barged in while we were talking, we fought, and I haven’t seen her since.

” Lucas glanced in my direction, eyes locking with mine briefly. “He has her on a tight leash.”

“That’s insane. I can’t imagine someone trying to control me like that.” I shook my head in disgust.

“You’ll never have to worry about that, Monroe. I may be an asshole, but I’m nothing like Christian.”

“I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you even for my own advantage if I thought you were.” I reached over with my free hand and cupped Lucas’s cheek, running my thumb over the slight stubble that had grown on his jaw. He turned his head and kissed my palm.

***

It took several hours to drive to Christian and Sarah’s house. When we pulled into the driveway, everything was surprisingly… normal.

The house was nice but on a smaller scale to Lucas’s and right on the beach. Lazy palm trees swayed in the breeze in the front yard, the smell of salt and sand bombarded my senses as I climbed out of the car, grabbing the keepsake.

Lucas was at my side, protectively wrapping a muscled arm around me. The two of us strode to the front door, with Jericho and Evan on our heels.

I swallowed. “What if he has more people and we’re outnumbered?”

Lucas squeezed me closer under his arm. “I have my gun tucked in the back of my waistband.”

“Do you think it will come to that?”

“You never know. I just wanted to be cautious. If all goes well, we can trade the chest with the key and leave without any problems. Sarah in tow.” Lucas gazed down at me.

I opened my mouth to reply, but the front door swung open. A tall gentleman with a dark stare and brown hair stood at the entrance. His jaw ticked as he took in Lucas and me.

“Joey,” Lucas growled as we reached the front door.

“Don’t call me that, Knight,” Joey snarled in return.

“Call me Joseph, or we will have more problems.” Lucas gave him a shit-eating grin as he released his hold on me.

Joey’s gaze slid to me, and then to the two men behind us, arching a dark brow.

“Who are they? I thought Christian made it clear to not bring anyone with you.”

“Christian doesn’t make the fucking rules. If he has a problem with that, then we will take the chest to someone worthwhile. Besides, I’m not bringing my wife around the likes of you without additional protection.”

My husband had some serious balls.

“We both know you won’t leave without Sarah.” A wicked grin pulled at Joey’s mouth.

Lucas just shrugged, not seeming the least bit bothered. However, I knew he would be devastated if that happened. He loved his sister and wanted her safe.

Joey moved out of the doorway and led us into a sitting area with chalky couches and minimal décor. Bland and boring.

“Wait here.” Joseph stepped out of the room, leaving us alone.

Jericho and Evan positioned themselves against one of the walls. Present but out of the way until needed.

“That guy is a dick,” Evan muttered, adjusting his jacket.

Lucas helped himself to a drink at a small bar that was against a far wall. He tipped his glass in my direction. “Do you want one?”

I shook my head. As much as I would love to have a drink to settle my nerves, I needed to have a clear mind. Drinking would muddle my thinking.

With the chest in hand, I took a seat on one of the couches, resting the keepsake on my lap.

After a few more moments, the sound of shoes clicking against the hardwood floors echoed into the room.

A slender woman with sandy blonde hair and the same piercing blue eyes as Lucas strode into the room.

She quickened her steps as she glanced around, briefly locking eyes with Jericho.

Jericho tensed, his tongue running along the scar on his bottom lip.

Sarah visibly swallowed and quickly averted her gaze, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

But Jericho didn’t flinch or remove his amber stare from Sarah.

Interesting.

When she caught sight of my husband, she rushed over and hugged him. He set his drink down on a nearby table and returned the embrace.

A bit of tension in his shoulders fled, and his hardened expression softened.

When she released him, Sarah gazed up at her brother. “Lucas, it’s so good to see you. Joseph said you’re married now?” A smile spread on her gaunt face.

Lucas’s gaze landed on me, and Sarah followed his stare. “This is my wife, Monroe.”

Her smile widened further, and she stepped in my direction. I placed the chest on the table and pushed to my feet to greet her. “You can call me Roe. Lucas likes to call me by my formal name for some reason.” I shook her hand as she chuckled. Her slender fingers were cold in my grasp.

“He would.” She glanced over her shoulder at him, and he shrugged. “I’m Sarah.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sarah.”

“Now that the meet and greet is complete, can we get the fuck on with the reason you’re here, Knight?” a deep, soulless voice said. We all brought our attention to the doorway of the room.

My body went rigid as I took in the man who held reign over Sarah’s life. The man who caused so much torture in my husband’s heart. He stood tall, with his hands in his pockets, dark hair swept back and a smug smirk on his face.

Christian stalked into the room, Joseph trailing behind him. His gaze snagged on the chest on the coffee table. His brows raised and his expression morphed into that of a kid in a candy store. “How’d you find it?”

“Does it matter?” Lucas drawled.

Christian’s inky eyes snapped back to him. “I suppose not.” He sat on the sofa and ran his fingers along the edge of the chest. “And the key?”

“I want an understanding before I hand it over.”

Beside me, Sarah tensed, and her hands at her sides shook. I reached over and gripped her hand in mine. She glanced at me with a weak smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

She was terrified. If holding her hand was the only way to offer her support, then that’s what I would do. When we went back home, we would figure out what else she needed.

“Get on with it, Knight. What are your demands?” Christian said.

“You are never to contact Sarah again. Or have anything to do with my family. The divorce will be immediate.”

Christian chuckled. “You can have the bitch.” He nodded in Sarah’s direction.

Lucas’s hands balled into fists, his jaw feathering with irritation. With jerky movements, he pulled the key attached to the chain out of his pocket, tossing it to Christian.

Without waiting, Christian opened the box.

He tossed aside the ancient letters and the portrait encased in an elegant silver frame.

The thud sent a cringe through me as I withheld a gasp.

Because even if the painting wasn’t important to him, it was still a relic.

Maybe not even for a museum. Maybe for Alina .

Christian continued digging in, tossing aside the remaining contents until he had removed everything. A menacing laugh erupted from him, the pit of my stomach churning with nausea.

“Done deal,” Lucas mumbled, coming closer to where Sarah and I stood.

“No. Not a done deal, Knight. Where the fuck are the jewels?” Christian barked.

“Jewels?” My husband said, “There was nothing other than what you’ve pulled out.”

My stomach sank at the infuriated look on Christian’s face. He must have gotten it in his head that the stories of treasure were true.

“You’re a fucking liar, Lucas. You took it for yourself, didn’t you?” He strode toward us.