Robin made her way to the window, smiling smugly. “Now that was almost insulting. Time to put this to good use.” She tossed the large gem up into the air and caught it, gasping when a hand wrapped around her wrist and a brick wall pushed her back against the cold wooden door.
“Cocky little thing, aren’t you?”
“Who are you? What, you think saving the riches for the fat rich bastard will get you a raise? I have bad news…they spit on people like you. All Vancovers cares about are getting fatter, and richer. Parade me out and save the day. I guarantee you will be in the same miserable place you are right now.”
“Who says I’m the hired help? Maybe I am the one sitting fat on a fortune. I’m more curious as to who you are.” He leaned in close, sniffing close to her neck. Slowly, he raked his eyes up and down her body, drawing up to meet her gaze. With his free hand, he tugged her hood off, setting her unruly red locks free. “Mmm. Now I see where the temper comes from. I have a secret, little minx. I have a thing for redheads. So tell me, what has you hiding this gorgeous body and sulking around in the night?”
Robin’s breath caught in her throat as his knee pressed against her sex. “So what now? I agree to drop on my knees and give sexual favors in exchange for my freedom? Maybe I can bend over the desk over there for a quickie. Tell me, is this your way of picking up chicks?”
The mystery man laughed, stepping back into the light for her to get a good look for the first time. That laugh…those eyes… It was him! The same man who had nearly caught her that night at the Naylor’s. “You…”
“Ah. And you. Let me make one thing perfectly clear. When I make love to you, it will be because you asked, and not on a desk. You will get on your knees, but only after you beg to. And for prancing you around, now that is only something I want to see in private. Naked.” He cocked a smirk, brushing his lips along her neck ever so gently. Robin’s head spun. Before she could assess the situation, Mr. Mysterious dipped down and took her mouth, consuming her. It didn’t take mountains to move for her lips to part, but only a few soft brushes of his tongue along the crease of her mouth. He took over after he gained access. Deep and hard he worked her tongue, testing and challenging with each lick and nip. For a first kiss, this was like a home run. He took her from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds. As fast as it started, it ended when he pulled away abruptly, leaving her panting. He was taunting her, and she had half a mind to beg for her own form of punishment. Moments before she gave in to temptation, visions of Will and the others floated through her mind. No. This wasn’t about her. Not now. Drawing up every ounce of strength she had left, Robin shoved him away and rolled, effortlessly skirting to the other side of the room next to the window. Before she jumped out, she turned and smiled. “Might I have your name, so if we ever pass paths again we can skip the formalities?”
His chest trembled, releasing that same deep laughter that brought dreams in the night that woke her with a desire so strong she often had to relieve herself to go back to sleep. “John. John Naylor.”
“Fuck.” His last name spoke volumes.
He chuckled. “Tsk tsk. Now that’s no way for a lady to talk.”
“Well, you are in luck. I’m not a lady.”
“Ah, but that’s where you are wrong, Miss Robin Hoode. It’s good to see that you haven’t lost your spunk over the years. I feared you would turn into another mindless little rich bitch whose biggest concern was whether your pumps match your three thousand dollar Prada purse.”
Robin cocked her head, humoring him. “You speak as if we have met before…”
“What? You don’t remember? I’m hurt. Truly. Your sixteenth birthday party. Five hundred people, and you bolted before the candles were blown out. I found you out behind the house, hiding with Mary and a bottle of champagne.”
“Little Johnny? Wow. You’ve changed. No glasses? I see the braces did their job well.” She couldn’t help but chide the smug ass no matter how sexy he was.
“Mmm. You do remember. I was surprised you shared the champagne and didn’t dump it on me like any of the others would have. You always were different. So answer me this—why the shadow bandit routine? Your parents are still doing well…in fact your father just bought out Microsoft if I do recall.” His eyebrow quirked up, but the sincerity in his eyes stabbed her in the heart. She lowered her defenses against all her better judgment, and sighed.
“The others should have been tarred, feathered, and hung for the way they treated you. I do this for the same reason in a way—so many people are cast aside and thrown into the gutter by the rich. My family refuses to give me my inheritance because I won’t follow their shallow superficial ways. So, I do the next best thing. I take from the same fuckers who took from them, and return it. This little baby right here will feed a hundred people for months or more. People who have lost everything—their homes, jobs, and life, all because Mayor Nottingham sits by, taxing them until they are cast out to the streets. Our economy and government have gone to shit,” her voice shook with emotion. It infuriated her so much that tears stung her eyes. This was America; land of the free, but had turned into a third world country in so many ways.
He thought for a moment, remaining silent. Robin didn’t know whether to run or reach out to him. His expression was blank, but emotion stormed in his deep crisp blue pools. As the silence lingered, she turned to leave, only to have him stalk toward her. He grabbed her arm and swung her around, planting his mouth back on hers in a heated claiming. This time, she didn’t pull away. Her empty hand snaked around his neck, pulling him down harder. When John wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her long locks, tilting her head up more for better access, she moaned. He swallowed her sounds, keeping her safe from anyone who might be in earshot. They kissed passionately, showing what words couldn’t say. This time he eased her back to earth, only pulling away after he had dropped sweet kisses on her lips and the tip of her nose. Robin let out a deep breath, unsure what to say or do.
“I want to help,” he said at last.
“No. There is too much riding on this, and the risk would ruin you.”
“Listen, I know a few people who would kill to own the Hope Diamond, and would pay double its worth without question. I also have access to my family’s art collection. Monet, Picasso, we have them all. A simple sleight of hand and they will never know a reprint from the original. Here, call me tonight. We can meet somewhere safer and discuss it.” He pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to her. She tucked it in her bag and smiled. More loot meant more money to give. It was a bad idea, but she didn’t have many options. Her resources with the black market were thin, and sure to pop up on someone’s radar. If he could unload it without raising any red flags, she had to accept. He grinned, knowing he had her.
“Don’t look so smug. Okay, yes I need help. I’ll call you tomorrow with a place and time. I have to get out of here. My ride is waiting.” She smiled and slid out the window, using a repelling line to glide down effortlessly. Before she took off in the dark, she shot him one last look and grinned. He waved and shut the window behind her, covering her tracks. Things just got a whole lot more interesting.
*****
Robin had to shake her head to clear her thoughts before she got caught. She hurried to unhook and retract her line and ran through the bushes just as voices came around the corner of the mansion. She took advantage of her high tech gadgets and removed her heels, quietly slipping away undetected. Just as it was planned, Mary waited on a side street with the car. When she spotted Robin, she opened the door to help her in and sped away into the darkness.
“So, did you get it?” Mary asked excitedly.
“Yep. And, I think I may have a way to get rid of it without jumping through hoops.”
“So…care to elaborate?” Mary turned left at the light and drove the side streets just in case they were followed. She turned a few times just for good measure.
“He was there.” She braced herself for the
sure line of interrogation to come.
“Who? Oh my God, him him? What did he say? Was he was sexy up close? You didn’t hurt him did you? Please tell me you didn’t kill him!” Mary rattled, finally stopping for air.
“Yes, and he is Little Johnny Naylor—minus the braces and glasses. He recognized me.”
“Shit! So, where do you want to go? I can’t take you home now. Did he see you get in the car?” Mary freaked.
“No, it’s fine. He wants to help. Go figure! He gave me his card. It seems his family has an astounding art collection he would like to contribute, and knows buyers.” She couldn’t help but laugh at Mary’s expression. Her eyes bulged out of her head, matching her gaping jaw.
“Wow. And…you trust him? What if it’s a trap?”
“Then he’s stupid. He could have busted me twice now. And…” she hesitated, knowing her next words would send Mary in a fit of hysterics, “his kiss said otherwise.” She winced, waiting for the flood of questions.
Mary turned and stared at her, gasping. “He kissed you! Why the hell didn’t you lead with that! How was it? Was it a ‘bend over and fuck me now’ kiss or a ‘nice to meet you, let’s snuggle’ kiss?”
Robin giggled, rolling her eyes. “It was a ‘please fuck me now before I spontaneously combust you hunk of man meat’ kiss.”
“Hot damn! Of all the places to find a date, you hook up in the middle of a robbery! Tell me more! I want full details!”
“He definitely isn’t the timid little geek he was in school. Little John is Big John in all meanings of the sense. He is…intense.”
“When are you supposed to see him again?” Mary pulled into the apartment complex and parked, turning in her seat.
“I don’t know. Listen, don’t read too much into this. I don’t have time for a relationship right now, Mary. This is strictly business. I have to go. Call you tomorrow?” Mary handed Robin her keys and they got out.
“You better. Be careful, okay?”
“Always. Love you.” Robin hugged her and walked toward her car, grinning. “You can mix business with pleasure, ya know… Just think about it.” She winked before she got in and started the engine.
Robin unlocked her door and sent a final wave before she walked in to her apartment, shutting the door behind her. Before she could relax there was still the matter of her loot to tend to, and there was only one place to secure it. Her cubby.
Since childhood, Robin had learned that having anything private in a house full of maids and frequent guests was impossible. So, like any kid, she created a trap door and cubbyhole in her floor. Even now that she was on her own, her little trick came in handy for things just like this. She kicked off her shoes and headed down the hall, stopping at her closet. After sliding the shoe rack and shelving over, Robin lifted the fake panel in the wood flooring, opening up a space big enough to crawl into if she were ever in danger. The whole setup had been manufactured so she could roll everything back into place from the inside, giving her the ultimate hiding spot. Carefully, she wrapped the huge diamond in a scarf and tucked it in a hidden shelf along the top of the cubby. Once her gear was all tucked away and no trace of her nighttime extra-curricular activities, she slid the lid back and put everything back in place as if she were never there. Since she was already in the closet, she shimmied out of the confining dress and slipped on her favorite yoga pants and oversized t-shirt before heading to her favorite spot on the couch to catch up on missed episodes of Psyche. It was her favorite show, but also gave her tips on what not to do and how to cover her tracks, more than any textbook or research she had poured over night after night before starting her second job.
Remote in hand, she plopped down, only to jump up at the buzzing of her phone. “Damn it,” she growled. Robin grabbed the blinged out smart phone off the counter and returned to the couch, determined not to move again until she got through at least one episode. Her thumb slid across the screen to unlock it, revealing an unknown number. Curious, she opened up to read: Answer your door. Robin reached under the couch cushion to her left and pulled out the .357 mag pistol and chambered the round while kicking off the safety. She silently tiptoed to the door and peeked out the peephole, spotting her creepy stalker standing nervously fidgeting. “John. What the hell is he doing here?” After unlatching the almost compulsive amount of deadbolts and chains, she whipped open the door, keeping the pistol in her grip, concealed out of his view.
“What the hell are you doing here and how did you find me?”
“Nice to see you too. Can I come in?” he asked amused.
“No. I don’t let strangers in. Now answer me.” Her eyes narrowed, showing her growing irritation. John couldn’t help but grin. She had spunk.
“I hardly classify us as strangers…unless you get off on kissing random people on the street.” He pushed the door open and proceeded to walk around her, only to get a gun shoved in his chest. “What are you doing! You have a gun? Have you lost your ever-loving mind, woman? Put that thing away before you hurt yourself!” His amusement quickly turned to irritation.
“The only one who will hurt is you. I have a license. Now, it would be in your best interest to answer me before—” His lips crushed against hers, silencing her. Instead of the playful coaxing as before, this time he took. Robin was caught off guard, melting instantaneously. Her tongue had a mind of its own, meeting his with equal enthusiasm. Somehow she didn’t notice he shut the door, but finally snapped to her senses when he reached for the gun. With one hard shove and a knee to the groin, John crumpled over in pain. His grip released, flying to preform CPR on his man junk. As if it would help. Robin almost laughed at the sight of him. He was a large man, reduced by the most common force of woman: self defense.
“Your sweet little ass is going to pay for that,” he groaned through clenched teeth.
“Yeah yeah. Now. Why. Are. You. Here.” Her tone was sharp and condescending.
“I came to warn you.” He finally pulled himself together enough to hobble to the couch. “Vancover has every force possible out searching for his prized trophy. Everyone on the guest list is undergoing a full home search and questioning. They just hit my home an hour ago and should be headed this way any minute now.” John still seemed pouty about his ‘bruised ego’, keeping his eyebrows drawn together.
“Shit. Well, they won’t find it. It isn’t a good idea if they find you here either. You need to go.” She walked back to the door to show him out when a pounding on her door made her jump. Robin jumped into action, stashing the handgun back in its rightful place and grabbed John with both hands. “Come on! You have to hide!” He looked at her confused but got up and hurried into her bedroom closet, watching in disbelief as she opened her cubby and motioned for him to get in. “Hurry!” she whispered.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I won’t fit in there!” he exclaimed in a whispered yell.
“Shhh! Yes you will, damn it, now get in!” She gave him a friendly little shove, hustling his limbs in before she put things back into place and ran to the door. She took a calming breath and asked, “Who’s there?” ss sweetly as she could without sounding winded.
“Police. Open up.” Robin rolled her eyes at their stereotypical response but opened the door, plastering on her sweetest smile. Two uniforms met her gaze.
“Robin Hoode?” The tall one asked as if trying too hard to sound authoritative.
“Yes? Can I help you, boys?” She added an extra bat of her eyelashes, laying on the feminine charm thick.
“Good evening, ma’am. We need to ask you a few questions, can we come in?” the shorter, older one said. He had to be in his late forties given the chrome dome on the top of his head.
“Sure! Would you like something to drink?” Robin offered, cocking her weight on one hip.
The tall one opened his mouth to speak when baldy cut him off, obviously disappointing the young pup. “No, thank you. Were you at the Vancover’s party this evening?”
Straight to the point
. This one’s going to be a challenge. “Of course I was! Anyone who is someone was on the guest list. Why, this is the event of the century! I didn’t stay long.” She lowered her voice to an almost whisper before continuing, “I started my monthly early and had to run home before I became the subject on every tabloid.” Both men flushed at her reference for her menstrual cycle just as she anticipated. Bingo. Robin found their weakness and played off of it. She casually strolled over to the freezer and pulled out a container of Rocky Road ice cream and fetched a spoon, offering them some. “I have plenty, would you care for a bowl?”
Once again, the tall one started to accept but stopped when baldie shot him a dirty look. The older man seemed to be playing into her girlie girl roll and already was on the verge of annoyance. “No, ma’am. Now, what time did you leave? Can anyone vouch for you?”
Robin took a huge bite, tilting her head in thought. “Mmm, it must have been around eight or so. We were there for cocktail hour but didn’t stay for dinner or the unveiling. To be honest, it would have been a bore anyway. My family owns bigger and better jewels than Vancover could ever get his paws on. Did you see what he was wearing? It looked like it came from a department store! My father wouldn’t leave the house to fetch the paper in anything less than a Stuart Hughes. It was embarrassing! Mary and I rode home together. We couldn’t believe it. Even the champagne was generic.” She tossed in that rich bitch valley girl accent just a tiny bit to deliver her performance. She kept her eyes on them, watching for any sign they saw through her act between bites of ice cream. Just when she thought she would have to flash some cleavage, the middle-aged man nodded. “Mind if we have a look around?” he asked, already scanning the room from where he stood. Robin choked down her temper and shoved a huge glob of chocolate in her mouth to hide her impatience. “What’s all this about?”
Robin and Her Merry Men Page 5