Page 14 of The Diamond Thief

Really, truly, I had no idea what these sad, broken bits of metal were when I opened the safe. I took them out of anger that he and I were so compatible, and yet he was such an ass. It was like a dream of mine had been dashed.

But these swords are a retirement-level job. And I stole them right from under him.

One hundred and forty million dollars. I turn back to the bed. The velvet case lies spread out on the covers. The hilts of the swords of King Arthur’s Round Table. I had no idea such things even existed.

The value of these swords ensures that he will come after me. I’ve done far more than undermine the Den’s confidence in their lead thieves.

I’ve made a mortal enemy.

I pace the room. What should I do? Take them back?

No, not to that asshole.

A woman bested him. He will not accept them even if I do. He’ll come after me, relentlessly. He might eventually uncover my larger mission, and then I’ll have to report my failure to my father.

I need to leave right now. I’m not sure of Jacob’s skill level with searches and online tracking. For all I know, he already has a team looking for anyone searching for information about these jeweled hilts, and I’m giving him coordinates to this hotel even as I sit here.

I shut down the laptop and shove it in my bag. I roll up the swords and carefully wrap the two tiaras in silk scarves. God, I have nothing but a straw beach bag for all this. One hundred and forty million dollars in a beach bag!

I can’t possibly try to offload the hilts myself. I will have to find someone who can help me with that, and I will have to avoid the clutches of one Jacob Holt in the meantime. Thank God I colored my hair. That gives me a little longer before he figures it out. He’ll be looking for a thief with dark hair. I need to go back to blond, stat.

I can’t warn Sabrina about what I’ve done. The less she knows, the better. Jacob Holt isn’t a killer. But he will be set on revenge against me.

God. What have I done?

The elevator stops on the sixth floor, and my heart almost seizes before a family with two small children get on board. I need to calm down. He isn’t going to find me immediately.

I need to think. I’ve bested Jacob Holt, but now I have to figure out what to do next.