Page 98 of Sticky Fingers

“Sonia...just let it go. I don’t care about it, and I’ll never ask you about it. What’s done is done. We’re together now, and that’s the only thing I care about.”

She looks into my eyes for two long heartbeats, and I can almost see the gears turning inside her head. Even though I’ve almost fucking begged her to let it go, I know she won’t do it. In fact, I can see a fucking plan shaping up in her eyes.

“Do you trust me, Malcolm?”

“With my life,” I reply.

Three words, but I have my whole being behind those words. I’d trust her with my life.

“Then can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Set up another condo meeting... Get all the tenants in the art gallery and tell them that the thief will return the painting.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Sonia?” I ask, having no idea what she’s planning.

Does she still have the painting? I thought she had sold that shit a long time ago.

But even if she has it...how the fuck is she planning on returning it? It’s fucking impossible to do that this late in the game.

“Malcolm...you said you trusted me,” she whispers softly, and I can’t help but exhale sharply.

“And I do... Are you sure of this?”

“I am.” She nods, managing a weak smile.

“I’ll set it up then,” I reply, not sure if that’s the right thing to do.

I just hope she’s not planning on something as stupid as turning herself in. If that’s what’s on her mind, she can forget about it. I’ll kick every New York City cop in the face before I let that happen—including Detective fucking Strong.

“Thank you.” She hugs me, her arms wrapped tight around my neck, and brings her lips up to my ear. “I’ll fix it for us…I promise. Then, when it all blows over, just come and meet me. Will you?”

“Meet you?”

“Yes…” she continues, caressing the nape of my neck. “It feels...heavy at Clarendon Tower. I just want to be with you after, somewhere none of this matters.”

“Just tell me where, babe.”

“The Grand Hyatt, Midtown. I have a suite there. But you need to meet me in the lobby... Will you come?”

What an odd question for the love of my life to be asking me.

“I’llalwayscome for you, baby.”