Page 44 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

We barely made it to the hospital in time. The bullet had nicked an artery and Lucas lost almost forty percent of his blood. It took Fox, Jericho, and Evan to carry him into the emergency room, where staff bombarded us and took him back behind closed doors.

The entire time my husband was in surgery, we waited. And waited. And waited.

Lucas was right about the police asking questions. They came in while he was still out and badgered all of us. We decided beforehand that we would claim a stranger shot my husband and ran off.

Sarah kept blaming herself for Lucas’s near-death experience, and every time, I reassured her that it wasn’t her fault.

Lucas needed to be monitored for a few days, and I refused to leave his side. So, I slept on the couch in his room, ignoring his protests to get a hotel room to be more comfortable.

Months had passed since then, and summer was in full effect.

I registered for the upcoming fall session to get back into nursing school.

Lucas was adamant that if it was what I wanted, he was all for it.

In the meantime, I would start looking for a part time job so I didn’t feel so useless.

Lucas told me it wasn’t necessary, but boredom was a heck of a thing when you’re used to bouncing around from job to job.

No one had heard from Frankie after the night he showed up in my room. Although, Raf texted me, letting me know he heard through the grapevine that Frankie was behind bars for attempted robbery. He was awaiting trial.

“Honey, I’m home,” I hollered as I stepped through the door.

No reply. I started toward the kitchen to put a few things away, only to be stopped dead in my tracks when I heard the sound of a piano.

My brows bunched together, and I set my bag on the floor to follow the music.

With quick steps, I rushed across the main floor to the library, stopping just at the ajar door.

I peered inside. Lucas sat at his piano, shirtless and brilliantly moving his fingers over the keys. His tattooed arms flexed as he moved, and I bit my bottom lip.

Could he get any sexier?

Shoving the door open, I slowly trekked toward my husband and came around so he could see me. He didn’t stop playing, only gave me a panty dropper smile, his piercing eyes alight with mischief and happiness.

He played on for a few minutes, ending with a bang.

“Bravo! That was incredible.”

“I’m out of practice,” Lucas said as he stood and pulled me against him. His lips pressed against my racing heartbeat in my throat.

“Yeah, right.” I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around my husband’s lean waist. “Surprised you weren’t playing any of your favorite heavy metal bands.”

“I know a few.” He shrugged, his grin widening .

My hands explored the plains of his muscled back, then to his arm, where a piece of plastic caught on my finger.

“What’s this?” I examined the fresh ink on the skin of his bicep and laughter bubbled up from me. Honest to God hysterical laughter. “An alien?” I managed to choke out between breaths.

A black and white realistic version of an alien from the shoulders up. High cheekbones, slits for the nostrils, over-sized eyes… the whole deal.

“Do you like it?” His cerulean eyes gazed at me with amusement.

“I freaking love it.”

“I had a feeling you would.” His mouth melded to mine. Sweet but firm as his hands roamed over my body.

When I pulled away, I said, “You’re just full of surprises today.”

“You’re my muse. For music. For the art on my body. My life wouldn’t be this good without you in it.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. “Stop. You’re going to make me cry.” Love and affection soared through my chest.

“I just never thought anyone could make me feel this way.” He trailed his thumb across my cheek. “So complete.”

“Did you ever think when you met me in the hospital room the first day that we would ever be here?” I asked with a giggle.

“Hmmmm. I knew I wanted to fuck you.” I smacked his arm, and he chuckled. “You were so hot in your hospital gown and handcuffs. And even better in your valet uniform.”

“Yeah? You down for a little role play action then? I’m sure I could find my outfit somewhere.”

“Absolutely.” Lucas nipped my ear .

“Hate to break up the love fest,” Fox’s voice came from the doorway, a wide grin on his face. “But there’s something you might want to see.”

We broke apart and followed Fox out of the library.

“Were you two going to screw in there?” Fox asked as he led us toward the living room we hardly frequented.

“Does it matter?” Lucas replied.

“It does when I take breaks in there and don’t want to come into contact with your dried spunk.”

Lucas and I both howled with laughter.

“Fair enough,” I said, looping my arm through Lucas’s.

“So, Evie texted me and told me to turn on the news.” Fox grabbed the remote and turned on the television. The image of a crane pulling a red Bugatti out of a ravine appeared on the screen.

“Oh shit.” I covered my mouth with my hand.

Footsteps echoed through the hall, and we all turned to see Sarah waltz into the room. “Fuck.” She tugged at her golden strands. “I was hoping they wouldn’t be found.”

“Sarah, take a deep breath.” Lucas was calm and collected, unlike his sister and me.

“How are you so chill about this? Christian might have a bullet in him still. They could trace it back to you and then me. I didn’t report him missing.” She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

“Listen to me.” Lucas came to stand in front of her and gripped her shoulders.

“I have an expansive payroll. It’s all taken care of.

The gun was never registered and has been disposed of.

As have Jericho’s and Evan’s. My company is responsible for all those cameras on the streets, the footage of us coming and going has been deleted.

Our cars were patched by the best who know how to keep their mouths shut about my business. You have nothing to worry about.”

“What about me?” Her bottom lip trembled. “They could look for me and ask why I never reported either one of them missing.”

“The divorce papers were finalized two months before the accident,” Lucas said.

“How?” I asked and a frown formed between my brows.

Lucas glanced at me for a moment, then back to his sister. “I had a judge move the date on the papers. A favor for a pretty lump sum.”

That seemed to settle her nerves a bit. She nodded and took a seat on the couch to watch the rest of the story.