Page 6 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)

After the last couple of days from hell, I slept like the dead. Ten hours straight without even getting up to pee. The moment I sat up in bed, pain flared to life through my entire body. I moaned in discomfort, every inch of me aching. How could I be in more pain than I was yesterday?

The door inched open, and Fox peeked his head into the room. Had he been standing there all morning?

“Good morning, sunshine. You okay?” A frown framed his auburn eyes, his gaze turning concerned.

“I’m not sure. Everything hurts,” I replied with a groan.

“I can get you something for the pain if you can manage to get up and out of bed.”

“I guess we’ll find out.” I gave him a weak smile and slowly moved to the edge of the bed. “I’m just going to change and brush my teeth. I’ll be right out.”

“Nice shirt.” Fox jerked his head to my alien tee and grinned. “Holler if you need help.” He closed the door behind him.

It felt like it took me forever to get ready, but I survived through every torturous movement. When we got to the first floor, he led me to the dining room, which had a spread of oatmeal, berries, and pastries for breakfast.

“Go ahead and start. I’ll go grab you something for your pain.” He disappeared, and I slid into a seat, loading up a big bowl of oatmeal with all the toppings available.

The moment I shoved a huge bite into my mouth, Lucas strode into the room. “Sleep well?”

“Like the dead,” I said around my food, trying not to choke. His lips twitched in amusement. I finished my bite and wiped my lips with a napkin. “Sorry.”

He pulled up a chair across from me and loaded up his own plate with pastries.

Fox came back a moment later and handed me a couple of tablets. I tossed them into my mouth and swallowed them with a gulp of orange juice.

“What’s that?” Lucas asked. His glare burned a hole through me.

I arched a brow, not sure why he seemed annoyed at the fact that I was taking something as mundane as over the counter medication. “Pain medicine.”

“Why wasn’t I told?” His nostrils flared and his gaze locked onto Fox.

“Come on, man. Your caveman attitude isn’t going to work on Roe.” He nudged me as he took a seat in the empty chair next to me.

“Hardly a caveman when the person I’m employing to get me the keepsake needs to be in top shape.”

“Wow.” I shook my head and stared down at my bowl as I scooped up another bite. Those piercing eyes moved to me. I wasn’t going to shrink back from his angry gaze.

“What? You think I don’t think these things through? If you’re in pain, it compromises the job,” he snarled.

“Hence, why I took something for my pain,” I snapped, dropping my spoon with a clatter.

“This just prolongs the entire job.”

“Are you dense?” I asked. Lucas’s head jerked back in disbelief.

“I was in a car wreck. You think there wouldn’t be any damage done to my body from it?

It’s called whiplash.” Irritation burned through my body, and I was ready to throw something…

anything… at his handsome face. “Besides, didn’t you say there was time?

” Fox snorted next to me. He covered his mouth and cleared his throat, trying to cover up his amusement.

“I know exactly how bad the accident was. I was the one who had to go and identify my crumpled mess of a car. You totaled it, you thief.” Lucas sat back against his seat as he continued to glare daggers in my direction. “And as far as saying there is time, I meant for you to sleep.”

I threw my napkin down on the table, pushing my chair back and placing my hands flat on the table as I leaned forward.

“You think I don’t know what I did? If I had stuck to my plan in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this mess.

I wouldn’t have to owe you anything. There are a thousand other places I’d rather be than here with an ass like you. ”

“You expect me to be civil when the woman who stole and destroyed my very expensive vehicle is staying in my home? Should I be some charming schmuck who instantly forgives you because you’re pretty?”

“I don’t expect anything from you!” I seethed and stormed off in the direction of my room. Rage pulsed through me, and even though every step I took was painful, I needed to get as far away from Lucas as possible before I completely lost my cool.

The sound of a chair scraping the floor sounded, but I didn’t turn back. Fox and Lucas’s voices echoed and trailed behind me, but I refused to listen to any of the words between the two of them. I went to my room and slammed the door, taking a deep, cleansing breath.

I needed to get out of this house. Needed space.

Kneeling on the floor, I began rummaging through my bag for my cell phone. It was at the bottom, along with my charger. I plugged it in and waited for it to turn on. Text messages lit up the screen, but I didn’t have the patience to go through them all right now.

I dialed my bestie, and it rang twice before her voice came through the line. “Where the hell have you been, Roe? Do you know how crazy I’ve been going, not knowing what the hell happened to you? I thought the Crimsons got ahold of you. And Frankie isn’t answering. I thought both of you were dead.”

“Calm down, Evie. I’m okay. Sort of.” I bit into my bottom lip.

“Girl, you did not just tell me to calm down,” she replied, “when you have been missing for days.”

“I did, and I need you to listen to me.” I explained everything that had happened in the last couple of days. From the car debacle to the wreck and subsequent arrest to being at Lucas’s mansion.

“So, he wants you to do a job for him to basically make up for wrecking his expensive ass car?” Evie asked after I finished my story.

“Yes,” I said with a sigh. “And he’s a huge dick.”

“What do you expect? Him to be nice about it?” She clicked her tongue. Never one to sugarcoat anything.

“No, but I mean, if I have to work closely with him, he could at least be nicer. ” I didn’t expect him to be my BFF but a little more level-headed. We had to work together if he wanted his precious key.

“Monroe Whitlock, you fucked up. Big time. The fact that he even offered you this in exchange for your freedom is a Godsend. You should be kissing his damn loafers for that kindness.” Leave it to Evie to put me in my place and tell me to stop expecting the best in people.

I giggled. “Fine. You’re right. But I don’t think he’s the type to wear loafers.”

“Whatever. Just do the job and get your ass back home. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. Maybe we can meet for drinks. That is, if I’m allowed to leave my prison.” I glanced around the girlie room I was holed up in. It wasn’t bad, but it still wasn’t home.

“Shoot me a text if you can. I get off at three. We can meet at Marty’s Bar.”

After we hung up, I laid back onto the carpet with my arms spread wide, staring at the ceiling in thought.

There was no choice but to stick this out.

I was lucky. Even if it was hard to see.

Anxiety wasn’t holding me in a chokehold anymore.

However, there wasn’t true relief either.

Just another bump in the road in the life of Roe.

The door swung open, and I turned my head to see Fox in the doorway. “Do you ever knock?” I asked as I sat up. My pain had lessened drastically.

“Sorry. I thought maybe you’d try to escape after the whole showdown.”

“I just don’t understand what the big deal is. I can do it, even in pain.” I got my feet under me, making my way to sit on the edge of the mattress. My feet hung a few inches off the floor .

Fox shook his head. “He isn’t going to let you go into the snake’s den unless you’re feeling one hundred percent. Otherwise, it may screw everything up.”

“Fine.” Now was my chance to ask Fox if I could meet with Evie. “So, my friend wants me to meet up with her.”

“Is she cute?” he asked. A grin slowly spread across his face and his mahogany eyes twinkled.

“Very. Do you think you could take me later?” I batted my eyelashes.

“I’m sure it would piss Lucas off.” Fox tapped his chin.

“Even better.” I felt a sick sort of satisfaction with the knowledge that Lucas would be peeved if I left his place. It made me smile, and I couldn’t wait to get under his skin even further.

***

Evie met me at Marty’s sometime after the sun had set.

Even though it was cold out, I made sure to dress my best. A short, black, sequined skirt, with a white chiffon tank and knee-high black boots.

To stay warm, I wore my thick, zip-up parka until we passed through the front doors and the heat of the bar melted into my skin.

“Damn, girl. You are looking so fine for being in a car accident just a few days ago,” Evie said as she kissed both of my cheeks and wrapped me in a hug. I winced at the contact.

Evie was the definition of a spicy Latina.

Gorgeous, long brown hair fell down to her waist, bright brown eyes, a pert nose, and a set of plump lips graced her pretty face.

Her curves were hugged by a skin-tight bodycon black dress and silver high heels to boot.

The eyes of the men in the bar all wandered over her. But her bite was worse than her bark .

Fox followed closely behind me, and the three of us took a seat at an available table.

“Are you going to introduce me to your shadow?” Evie asked.

“Right. Sorry. Evie, this is Fox. Fox, this is Evie.” Evie stuck out her hand to shake his, but when he gripped her hand, he brought it to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.

My eyes about bugged out of my head at the forwardness of him. I expected Evie to bite his head off, but she didn’t. Instead, she smiled.

“Pleasure,” Fox said as he released her hand and gave her a seductive stare.

“Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” Evie muttered something in Spanish and started fanning herself.

“You said you haven’t been able to get ahold of Frankie?” I started.

“No, I’ve called him multiple times. It just goes to voicemail.” The server came to our table, and Evie ordered us a round of shots and a round of vodka cranberry.

“I don’t know if I should be drinking. I’m the guard, after all,” Fox said.

“Suit yourself.” Evie shrugged and turned her attention back to me. “Frankie hasn’t reached out to you?”

I shook my head. “No, he left me there, stuck in the car.”

Her eyes widened, nostrils flaring. “That asshole.” Our shots and drinks were placed on the table in front of us. Evie threw her shot back without a chaser and licked her lips. Fox, all the while, watched every movement.

Good lord, these two were going to be banging before I knew it.

“I’m not sure what to do about him.” I took the lime off my glass and downed the liquor. It burned my throat, and my face contorted. To lessen the terrible taste, I bit into the lime and sucked. Chills still managed to work through my body and caused me to shiver.

“Drop his ass, amore. He’s never been a true friend,” Evie replied.

“I’ve known him forever. I guess it just hurts to think of losing the person I’ve grown up with.

” I shrugged. The warmth of the alcohol spread through my belly, but it didn’t numb the ache in my heart at the thought of losing Frankie.

He’d left me, and I was hella angry, but I always held a soft spot for him because of our history.

Evie gripped my hand, and her stare softened as she realized the inner battle I was having. “It’s okay to grieve the loss of a friendship. Some people aren’t meant to stick with us forever. No matter how long we’ve known them.” She squeezed my fingers.

“I agree,” Fox chimed in. “If he were a true friend, he would’ve gone down with you trying to pull you from the wreckage.”

Taking a sip of my drink, my gaze landed on Fox. “How long have you known Lucas?”

“We met as teens in prep school. So, about fifteen years.” Fox tapped his fingers against the polished wood of the table.

“Has he always been so…” The word I wanted to use wasn’t coming to mind.

“Ostentatious?” Fox finished my sentence, and I snorted a laugh.

“Yes. But no. He’s got a stick up his ass, that’s for sure.”

“He isn’t always that way. He has a personality, believe it or not. You just rub him the wrong way.”

“How so?” I asked. As if I didn’t already know.

“Well, for starters, you stole and then crashed his car.” A grin kicked up at the side of Fox’s mouth.

“True.”

“Now you’re staying in his house, and it pisses him off.

Lucas likes to have control over just about everything.

And this morning… he’s never had someone go head-to-head with him like you did in an argument.

I had to calm him down. He wasn’t going to let you go to your room, wanting to have it out with you.

” My cheeks felt warm, either from the alcohol beginning to spread through me or, more likely, the conversation.

“He also didn’t like it very much when I gave him shit about it. ” Fox chuckled.

Evie and I both glanced at each other and giggled.

A ringtone started to play, and Fox pulled his phone out of his pocket. “It’s Lucas. I’ll be right back.” He excused himself, and Evie and I were left alone.

“He’s cute,” Evie said.

“Are you going to give him your number?”

“Duh. How can I not?” She passed me the extra shot and I downed it. It was starting to dull some of the aches and pains in my body, since the medicine had worn off.

A few minutes passed before Fox returned to the table, his face set in a hard expression.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Lucas is on one. He found out we left, and he’s demanding I bring you back right now.”

“One more drink. I think I need to be buzzed for this,” I said, grabbing the vodka cranberry Fox hadn’t touched.