It Takes a Thief--A Heist Romance

by Sloane Steele

  * * *

  Audrey had an excellent night’s sleep. Jay had followed through on everything he’d promised. It was just that damn good. Jay was the kind of man who paid attention.

  She supposed that was what made him a successful fixer—negotiator. He read people and gave them what they wanted or needed before they asked. Between napping and fucking, they talked and laughed. In the quiet of the night, he asked about the errands she ran, and while she didn’t tell him about Gram, she opened up enough to tell him it was a family obligation. He’d murmured understanding.

  The morning light streamed through the window, waking her. The sun cast across the expanse of tan skin of his naked chest.

  They’d spent the night together. She didn’t do that. It was personal, sharing a bed with someone, waking with him. She reminded herself it wasn’t her bed, so it didn’t count. But even with the laughing and talking, being with Jay was easy. He didn’t pressure her for anything. When she refused to answer something or dodged a question, he let it go. Probably because he had at least as many secrets as she did.

  They clicked in a way that nagged at her and made her uncomfortable. She was having a hard time separating the physical connection from everything else between them. She’d never had that problem before, at least not since high school. Sex and emotion didn’t have to go hand in hand. A physical release was normally enough. But with Jay there was more. He saw into her, the parts she liked to keep hidden.

  His arm tightened around her and pulled her closer, as if even in his sleep he couldn’t get enough of her.

  He cared for her. Not about her, but for her. He made sure she ate and slept and relaxed. In the couple of weeks they’d known each other, he’d shown her more care than anyone in her life had since Gram had gotten sick. And he’d done it without expectation of anything.

  Ah, shit. I’m falling for this guy.

  She couldn’t fall for him. It would be a mistake of epic proportions. He came from a world she existed on the fringes of because she was useful to people like him. They could have this time here in this rented apartment, but she would never be on his arm in public. She would never know his family, his friends.

  Her heart thumped. Get out! it screamed at her.

  She slid from his grasp and went to shower. She halfway convinced herself she wasn’t falling for Jay. How could she? She wasn’t even sure if she knew him. He was the kind of guy who always knew what to say to get what he wanted. With the heat of the water, she washed away the ridiculous thoughts she had in bed. She had work to do. They had a painting to steal. When she got to the kitchen, Nikki was already awake and drinking coffee.

  “Morning,” Audrey said.

  Nikki smirked over the rim of her mug. “Better for you than me.”

  “Don’t be jealous,” she said with a bravado she didn’t feel. Vulnerability crept around her edges.

  “Not in the slightest. I’m happy you enjoyed yourself. I just wish you were a little quieter about it.”

  “Sorry,” Audrey answered with a grin of her own.

  “That was real sincere.” She dropped a few pieces of bread in the mouse cage. The bell rang and she went to answer it.

  Audrey focused on getting as much caffeine into her system as quickly as possible so she wouldn’t fall asleep while talking to a damn dog. She downed an energy drink and then poured a cup of coffee. Moments later, London walked through the front door at the same time Jay came up behind her.

  He took her cup from her and drank.

  “Hey, that was mine.”

  “Too much caffeine is bad for you.” He pointed at the empty energy drink can on the counter.

  “I wouldn’t need so much caffeine if someone hadn’t kept me up most of the night.”

  “But the sleep you got was of the highest quality.”

  “Still full of yourself.” But she couldn’t stop her smile.

  The small dog in London’s arms squeaked out a bark. Setting the animal down, she said, “Maybe you guys should try calling her so she gets used to you.”

  “I don’t want her to get used to me,” Nikki said from her perch on the back of the couch.

  Audrey bent and slapped her thighs. “Hey, Daisy. Come here, girl.”

  As the dog clicked by, Nikki pulled her legs up on the edge of the couch so her entire body was balanced on the back. The dog came to Audrey immediately and she rubbed the dog’s head. “I really don’t think you have anything to worry about here, Nikki. She’s not vicious.”

  “That’s what every dog lover says.”

  Audrey straightened. “At least call her once so we can gauge how quickly she can change focus. Once she gets to me, we need her to turn so London can give chase.”

  “Daisy,” Nikki said sharply.

  Her ears perked up, but she didn’t move.

  London crossed the room and picked up the dog. “She’s not going to come to you if you sound like you might kill her.”

  “I don’t want her to come to me.”

  With a sigh, London went to the other side of the apartment. Cradling Daisy in one hand, she pointed at Audrey. “Go by the hallway so Nikki can stay up on her pedestal. Then call her.”

  She set the dog down again. Audrey called her. When she got halfway across the room, Nikki called. She turned, walked a few steps and Audrey beckoned again. The poor animal looked ridiculous, but it was exactly what they needed her to do.

  “You sure this is going to give me enough time?” Nikki asked, stretching her legs out on the couch as if it were a balance beam and she was a gymnast.

  “Once they catch Daisy, London can engage Connie in a conversation for a couple minutes. If Daisy does her part, we have at least eight minutes.”

  “If she doesn’t?”

  “We have about five. Maybe.”

  “Psh,” London said with a wave of her hand as she gathered Daisy in her arms again. “I can have a ten-minute conversation with anyone. You have time.”

  Hopping off the couch, Nikki said, “Then let’s do this.”

  As London and Nikki headed for the door, Nikki pointed at Daisy. “Don’t you have a cage or a bag or something for that?”

  “No. Daisy is great in the car. She rode on my lap on the way here.” London stroked the dog’s head.

  “Keep her away from me or I’ll toss her out the window.”

  As they left, Audrey laughed, but she wasn’t sure Nikki was exaggerating. She shoved the bag of dog treats that London had brought in her pocket. Jay reached out and yanked her back to his body.

  He kissed her deeply and when he pulled away, he whispered against her lips, “If things go sideways, get out of there.”

  “We will.”

  “No. I mean if you can only save yourself, do it.”

  She didn’t say anything since she didn’t know how to respond. It was kind of nice that he was worried about her. And it had to be concern, right? She’d already completed everything he needed for the alarm. He could have anyone run it Saturday night. But the fact that he was okay with her bailing on Nikki and London bugged her.

  “I want to be looped in on the comms. I’d like to hear how things are going.”

  She set an extra earpiece on the table. “You need to be in range for it to work.”

  “No problem.” He held up keys. “I’m driving.”

  Her heart thundered. She’d needed more of a reprieve. She needed space to deal with her feelings and thoughts. Now she was going to be trapped in a car with him.

  * * *

  “Take the rats, just in case Daisy doesn’t cooperate,” he said.

  She sighed but picked up the cage. “They’re mice, not rats. I think it’ll break London’s heart if we have to sacrifice them.”

  “Better them than us.”

  With cage in hand, she gave him a skeptical look and walked o
ut.

  Mia would kill him if she knew he was riding along again. But he couldn’t stay behind. If they ran into problems, he could run interference, but mostly he wanted to make sure Audrey was safe. While she talked like some badass criminal, she admittedly rarely interacted with people. She’d chosen a line of work that required minimal contact. He didn’t know if she would have any clue how to get herself out of a jam.

  Nikki could handle herself. Not much fazed her—except apparently a small dog. He drove the borrowed car back into the north shore suburb, letting the women out in separate places. They each planned to enter the property from a different direction, with Nikki and Audrey climbing through neighbors’ yards. If they were stopped, they would explain they were looking for their friend’s dog. London’s calling the dog would set minds at ease.

  It was a good plan. Better than the crazy letting loose of rodents and waiting for exterminators. It didn’t stop him from worrying, though. Audrey had burrowed under his skin in a way he hadn’t seen coming. He wanted to see where they could take things, and he wanted to protect her. He knew she’d balk if he said that, but it was true. Whether or not she needed his help.

  He put the earpiece in and within moments heard Audrey. “I’m in place. You, London?”

  “About fifty feet away from the front of the house.”

  “Give me two to avoid cameras and get in the yard,” Nikki responded.

  The silence was killing him. He wanted to see, make sure everyone played her part. Driving in circles near the house—but not too close—was maddening.

  Then all hell broke loose in his ear, just the way it was supposed to. London’s squeals were almost enough for him to yank the earpiece out, but then Audrey’s quiet whisper of “Daisy, here, girl” came across and his nerves settled. London made so much noise he was surprised the entire neighborhood wasn’t outside.

  London began talking to someone and soon there was another voice joining the fray.

  “I’m in,” Nikki said.

  “You should get out now, Audrey.” Fuck. As soon as he spoke it, he knew she was going to be pissed.

  Nikki snickered. “Yeah, Audrey. Beat it.”

  “Not funny,” she muttered.

  “Fuck,” Nikki whispered.

  “What?” he and Audrey asked simultaneously.

  “It’s not here.”

  “What do you mean?” Audrey asked.

  “The fucking painting isn’t where you said it would be.”

  His brain scrambled. Mia wouldn’t have been wrong about this. She was meticulous in her observations.

  “Get out and we’ll regroup.” Audrey sounded nervous.

  “Give me a minute.”

  His heart began to race. If Nikki was caught in the house, the entire plan would be ruined.

  London finally caught the dog and just as she’d said, she engaged the maid in a conversation about dogs and their owners.

  “Found it. Should’ve known this stupid plan wouldn’t be as easy as we thought. I walked right past it in a hurry to get to the stairs. They conveniently moved it to the den.”

  He released the air trapped in his lungs.

  “It’s in my hands right now,” Nikki said. “I can have the whole thing out of here in less than two minutes.”

  “No,” he said sharply. “It has to be Saturday and you have to replace it.”

  She huffed a sigh. “I’ll have you know this goes against every cell in my being. To have the mark, the prize, in my hands and walk away. It’s dumb.”

  “Hurry up,” Audrey said. “Connie’s patience is wearing thin with London. She’s starting to back away. Time for you to get out.”

  “What are you still doing there? You’re supposed to be on your way back to me.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

  He heard rustling and then her harsh whisper came back. “Well, it’s not like Nikki has eyes on the situation, and London can’t very well warn her. I’m heading out now.”

  “I’m out. London, say good-bye,” Nikki said.

  Jared sat at the corner where Audrey was supposed to come out. He scanned the neighborhood and saw no one milling around. Then she peeked around the corner and dashed to the car, carrying the mice with her.

  She scooted into the passenger side and set the cage at her feet.

  He pointed at the mice. “You probably could’ve left them behind.”

  “London wants to keep them.” She pulled her comm from her ear and pinned him with a look. “I told you not to use my real name.”

  He also removed his earpiece. This wasn’t something he needed to broadcast to everyone. “Are you going to tell me that during all of your girl bonding, you didn’t tell them your name?”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “They know we’re sleeping together. I don’t see what the problem is.”

  “It was a simple request.” She crossed her arms and looked out the window.

  He pulled away from the curb, his jaw clenched. Everything had gone more or less as planned, but he was still irritated. Yes, her request was simple, but it wasn’t as if her name was a state secret.

  On the next block, Nikki was jogging like she belonged there. When he pulled up, she ran to the car and stuck her head near the passenger window.

  “Care for a ride?” Audrey asked.

  “Love one.” She climbed in the back seat.

  Another block down, they picked up London. As soon as all three were in the car, they debriefed.

  “No additional alarms on the frame. Them moving the painting was the best thing for us. I actually save travel time. Saturday night will be a breeze as long as you can get me in,” Nikki said.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem,” Audrey responded.

  “Still don’t see why I couldn’t take it now.”

  “That’s what we’re all wondering, but it’s obviously above our pay grade.” Audrey was filled with snark.

  He drove to the apartment and dropped them off before leaving to return the car. Audrey needed space to cool off, and he needed to get his emotions in check. They had eleven more jobs to pull after this one, and nothing would work if he kept worrying about her.

  After switching back to his own vehicle, he texted Mia and let her know the women were amazing. Everything had gone as planned and Saturday was looking better than expected.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You’re in a mood,” Nikki said as she did her usual flounce on the couch. For a renowned burglar, she sure did flop and flounce a lot. Before Audrey could say anything, Nikki jumped back to her feet.

  “Jay pissed me off. How did he not piss you off?” Audrey asked.

  Nikki shrugged. “I can admit that I usually prefer to run the show myself and call the shots, but I’m fine letting someone else be the boss for the right price. It’s his gig.”

  “There’s something else going on.”

  “Is this because he used your real name? I thought you stayed Data with him.”

  “I told him in the heat of the moment. He’s not supposed to use it willy-nilly like that.”

  “What’s the big deal? You told me and London your name.”

  Audrey huffed. “He knows where I live—the building at least. Now he has my real name. It removes a layer of anonymity. My life is based on being anonymous.”

  “So even the score.” Nikki stretched her arms over her head. “I think I need a run.”

  Audrey nodded but wasn’t listening. Even the score. Why the hell hadn’t she considered that before? Obviously because she respected boundaries more than Jay did. But it wasn’t just his use of her name. Something about their insistence that the job go on Saturday and his sharp reaction when Nikki mentioned nabbing the painting today.

  She didn’t like not having all the pieces and this puzzle definitely had some holes. />
  As Nikki changed into her running gear, Audrey went back to the computer. She’d figure out what the Greens were hiding.

  She was vaguely aware of Nikki leaving. With her headphones on, blasting music to keep her tired brain focused, Audrey attempted to remember every bit of information she’d gleaned about the Greens. Normally, when she had to track someone down, she at least had a name or a trail to follow. What did she have here? The rented apartment she was working in. She shook her head. They were smart. They’d bury their names.

  The one constant they had was Scott and Saturday night. “Let’s figure out where Scott is going to be Saturday.”

  She started to dig through Randall Scott’s social media and found nothing of note. Someone else ran the social media for his business. His personal accounts were bare. But his pretty wife would want to show off.

  Audrey found the wife’s accounts and as expected, they were chock full of information and photos. Event after event she attended on her husband’s arm to show the world how fabulous they were.

  No mention of her plans for Saturday, but Audrey had plenty to scroll through. In one picture, she hit pay dirt. Ms. Green. Two photos later, Jay. “I knew it.” They traveled in the same circles as Randall Scott. Now it was time to get names.

  Audrey wanted to kick herself. Digging into a person’s life was routine for her. Why she hadn’t done it with Scott before embarking on this job was crazy. Then again, the Greens had made her digging unnecessary. They’d handed her all of the pertinent information. At least the information they wanted her to have, carefully omitting anything that would lead to them.

  A reverse image search was easy enough to perform and she had Ms. Green’s name within minutes. Mia Benson. Benson. The name sounded familiar, but nothing immediately came to mind. Then Jay’s real name popped up. Jared Towers.

  Fuck. Towers and Benson. Those names were synonymous with high-end con artists. No different than Madoff. Her heart thumped. Whatever she thought she’d learn, this wasn’t it. Maybe I’m wrong. She wanted to be wrong.

  She searched for Jared Towers and Mia Benson. Window after window popped up. Some were benign articles about their work, but most of the information linked them to their fathers. While Audrey recognized the names, she’d never paid much attention to the full story. Millionaires stealing from people didn’t have an effect on her. She’d never had anything to steal.