It Takes a Thief--A Heist Romance

by Sloane Steele

  He let himself in. To say what, he had no idea. He walked in as Nikki was running the plan down. “I’m going to creep up on the house and Audrey will be in the van on the street to give me the all clear.”

  “You’re not supposed to be on site,” he blurted.

  Audrey shot him a dirty look. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

  “I left him in the car,” Mia responded. “Unfortunately, he listens about as well as the rest of you.”

  “London and I are both going to be in the van. We’re Nikki’s backup. I don’t like leaving her on her own for this. If something goes wrong, she has no way out.”

  London hopped off the breakfast counter where she’d been perched.

  “How are you going to help?” he asked.

  London shrugged.

  “I have no idea. But Nikki won’t be alone,” Audrey answered.

  “Okay, kids,” Nikki interrupted. “Let’s move this along.”

  Audrey handed comms to Mia. “You’ll be able to hear everything we do, but we won’t hear you unless you press the button on the comm. It’s tiny, so not the most convenient, but I think the noise from the party will be distracting.”

  Mia stared at the piece in her hand. “I just tuck it in my ear?”

  “Like this.” Audrey stepped close, took the earpiece and positioned it in Mia’s ear. Taking the other one, she came near him.

  Her face showed no emotion. If he declared his love right now, would she even hear him? She held out the earpiece and placed it in his upturned palm, her fingers barely grazing his skin.

  Before she could drop her hand, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her toward the spare bedroom. “Can we please talk?”

  She yanked free once they were in the hallway. “We don’t have time for personal shit. As you’ve said about a million times, this job has to go tonight. I need to be focused.”

  “So you at least admit that I’m a distraction.” He wanted to lighten the mood, make a joke, but she wasn’t having it.

  “I didn’t say you were a good distraction. I can’t afford the interference and brain space.”

  “Then tonight. After the job.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know what else there is to say.”

  He had so much more to say, but she was right. Now was not the time. He lowered his voice. “Thank you for not throwing me out.”

  “Kind of hard to do. You pay for the place after all. I’m just a visitor.”

  “Back when you were Data and I was Mr. Green, you always said you wanted to see inside my lair.”

  She huffed. “But this isn’t yours, either. It’s a way station. A brief stop before heading back to your real life.”

  Her words struck him hard. She was right. They had a nice fantasy thing going here, but it wasn’t real. This wasn’t his life.

  He pulled a pen from his pocket. Taking her hand again, he wrote his address on her palm. “That’s my lair. My home address. Come whenever you want.”

  She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Not a smart move. What if I get arrested tonight?”

  “I’ll take my chances.” Strolling past her, he said to Mia, “Ready to go?”

  “Okay, kids, have fun,” Nikki called.

  Audrey stood, staring at the black ink on her palm.

  He led Mia from the apartment and forced himself not to look back.

  Mia slipped her arm through his. “Feel better?”

  “Not really.”

  “What happened?”

  “I gave her my address.”

  Mia froze on the sidewalk. The driver stood at the car, holding the door open for them. “What?”

  “I told you how I feel. It’s real with her. I can’t continue to pretend that this is my whole life. Not if I want her to give us a chance.”

  Mia’s eyes iced over. “What if she gets caught? What if she gets pissed off and goes to the police?”

  “She already has my name, so having my address doesn’t much matter. But she wouldn’t do any of that. Don’t you see how loyal she is? Even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t risk us dragging Nikki and London down, too.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She turned and went to the car.

  He didn’t know how to explain it, but he knew Audrey. Felt it in his every cell that she loved him, too. She just couldn’t admit it yet because she felt betrayed. But he’d fix it. She didn’t think there was anything left to say, but he hoped that a declaration of his love would change that.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Audrey stared at that stupid address for a full minute after the door closed behind Jared and Mia. Then she spun to face Nikki. Flashing her palm up, she said, “What the hell is this? He gave me his address.”

  “Oooh,” London said. “That’s some serious stuff.”

  “Girl, you’re in trouble,” Nikki added.

  “Me? I didn’t do a damn thing.”

  Nikki shook her head, ponytail swinging. “If this was about fucking, he would’ve planted a hot and heavy kiss on you and been on his way.” She pointed to Audrey’s hand. “He just invited you into his life. His real life.”

  Oh shit. Shit. Her heart raced and her lungs locked. What the hell was going on? She sank onto the edge of the couch.

  “Is she okay?” London asked.

  Suddenly, something thunked against the back of her head. Nikki’s rubbery shoe flopped to the floor. Audrey turned. “Did you throw your shoe at me?”

  “Snap out of it. We have work to do. Money to make. Be lovesick later.”

  Lovesick? She’d never been lovesick. She didn’t pine away for some guy. Guys had their uses, mostly in the bedroom, but her life was complicated enough without adding the messiness of feelings.

  But nothing with Jared had felt complicated or messy. At least not until she knew his true identity.

  She shoved the thoughts way down deep. Nikki was right. They had work to do. Pushing off the couch, she asked, “What’s up first?”

  “Food. I’m hungry,” Nikki said.

  “You’re always hungry.”

  Nikki shrugged. “What can I say? A good heist always makes me famished.”

  “Aren’t you afraid you’ll throw up?” London asked.

  “Nope.” She tossed keys at Audrey. “Let’s find me some food and get in place.”

  Audrey jiggled the keys. Although she had a driver’s license, she hadn’t driven in years. “I think you should drive.”

  “What?” Nikki said. “This was your idea. You wanted to be my getaway. Are you telling me you don’t know how to drive?”

  “I do. Kind of. I’ve never owned a car. I take the bus everywhere.”

  “I’ll drive,” London said.

  They both turned to stare at her. Nikki had only included her in the plan because she seemed as if she wanted to be a part of it. She had no reason to be there tonight. Unless she was a plant from Jared or Mia to watch them.

  “Why exactly are you here?” Audrey asked.

  London’s eyes popped wide, looking innocent. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, your part of this job was done once you finished the painting. And yeah, we used your place for a run-through, but that was Mia’s doing.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

  “Why are you still here? Why risk being arrested?”

  “I want to see this through. It seemed like it would be good for you to have an extra pair of eyes tonight.” She neared Audrey and took the keys. “Lucky for you, I’m an excellent driver. Besides, I thought we’d become friends.”

  Audrey was looking to lash out at something, anything, but a little hint of guilt wiggled its way in.

  An exasperated gasp came from Nikki. “God. She wants to make sure you’re not a spy for Jared or Mia.”

&
nbsp; “Of course not,” London said.

  Walking in between them to head to the door, Nikki said, “I invited London, remember? None of this was orchestrated by Mia.”

  “Okay.” Audrey picked up the remaining comms and handed one to each of them. “I don’t trust Mia. She’s still holding stuff back.”

  “We just need to get through tonight, and you’ll walk away with your bag of cash and never have to see her again. That’s what you want, right?”

  It was, wasn’t it? She closed her fist and tried not to think of the address written there, or remember the warm strength in Jared’s hand as he wrote it.

  “Come on,” London said. “I’ll drive and you can give us all the details of your wild affair with our boss.” She snickered. “It’s like one of Charlie’s Angels sleeping with Charlie.”

  “Wasn’t Charlie the fat guy?” Nikki asked.

  “No, Charlie was the mysterious guy who took care of the girls.”

  Audrey couldn’t believe they were discussing her life as if it were a TV show from the ’70s.

  They got to the street and London pressed the fob to open the van. It looked almost like a soccer mom van, but the back windows were blacked out.

  “Charlie was always portrayed as a total ladies’ man. How could he not be? Rich, eligible bachelor. Bet he was great in bed,” London continued.

  Audrey climbed into the back of the van. “We are not Charlie’s Angels. We’re not private investigators. We’re thieves.”

  She glanced around, a little disappointed that it was just a regular van. No equipment. Nothing. She’d wanted a decked-out van and got this. She didn’t know why she’d expected more. Jared only offered superficial gestures. She looked at her palm again. Until now.

  “Whatever. Same kind of excitement. And Jared is kind of like Charlie. He foots the bill for everything. He worries about keeping us safe. Well, at least keeping you safe. And his identity was a secret until you blew it.” London started the engine as Nikki got in the passenger side.

  “This is a ridiculous conversation.” Audrey tucked her comm in her ear and began booting up the laptop.

  A low chuckle sounded in her head as soon as it was in place. She knew that chuckle.

  “It might be a silly conversation, but I don’t mind being compared to Charlie. Which angel are you, Audrey?”

  Hearing his voice softly inside her head did something to her. She shot Nikki a dirty look. “You put your comm in early?”

  She smirked. “How was I supposed to know where that conversation was going?”

  “Audrey, I asked a question.”

  “First, you’re not supposed to be on the comms. Second, I never really watched the show. It was a little before my time.”

  “I came on to let you know our friends are here at the party.”

  “Mia could’ve told us.”

  “I know, but I like being inside your head.”

  “Stop talking. You’ll draw attention at the party for being the weirdo who talks to himself.”

  “Please give me more credit. I’m talking into my phone.”

  She sighed.

  “We’ll be in touch if Scott or his wife leaves early. Good luck tonight.”

  “We don’t need luck,” Nikki said. “We’ve got skill.”

  Nikki turned the radio on and began to dance in her seat.

  “Stay safe,” he responded and then he was gone.

  Of course, not really gone. He could still hear whatever they said, but she could no longer hear him. His last words felt like they were meant for her, even though they all heard him. She needed to focus. Having his voice in her head while she worked wasn’t smart. What she’d said earlier was true—he was a distraction.

  London swung into a drive-thru and Nikki ordered an obscene amount of greasy food. They drove into the suburbs with nothing but the radio making noise. It was game time, and they all had to get in the right headspace.

  * * *

  Jared walked the room with a glass of champagne in hand. What he really wanted was a whiskey, but he needed to keep a clear head, so he held the flute as a prop. He tracked Randall Scott as he joked with other guests. Mia worked the room as she always did.

  The conversation in his ear died and he wondered if the women had fallen silent or simply removed their comms. He wished he could be with them in the van making sure all moved smoothly. He was well aware of the fact that they didn’t need him. But he also knew Nikki would protect herself above all else. Audrey wasn’t wired that way.

  The image of the lone hacker was one she portrayed well, but once she made a connection, she was loyal to the core. He wanted to be on the receiving end of that loyalty. He didn’t know what else to do to convince her they had a chance. They could share something real.

  Mia stepped in front of him. “Stop scowling,” she said between the gritted teeth of a fake smile.

  He blinked and looked at his cousin.

  “They’re fine. They know what they’re doing.” She patted his arm. “In the meantime, you need to play your part. Go ask someone to dance. Drink. Don’t stand here looking miserable.”

  He normally had a better hold on his emotions. He never let anyone see any more than required. Forcing a smile, he said, “Would you like to dance?”

  Mia scoffed. “Please. I have more important people to talk with.”

  “Who are you charming now?”

  She turned to the side so they faced the same direction. She raised her glass toward the right. “Bruce Moore was kind enough to show up this evening.” Then she tilted her chin up, indicating across from them. “Elijah Davis and I had an interesting conversation about a Caffrey sculpture he plans to sell.”

  “Would that be the same Caffrey we’re interested in?”

  “The very same.” She shook her head in disgust. “They’re liquidating. They must’ve burned through the cash they took with them. Something’s going on.”

  “Do you think something happened to trigger this? They were safe where they were.”

  He briefly wondered when their fathers had simply become they instead of Dad.

  “I don’t know what’s happened. But I wish I could tell them now. I’m petty enough to want them to know it’s coming. That we are the cause of their downfall. But, no, to answer your unasked question, I haven’t done anything to warn them.”

  He understood Mia’s need to rub their fathers’ noses in everything, but he didn’t like seeing her lose her grip. They were only one heist in—and even that hadn’t been pulled off yet. What would she be like by the time they reached the twelfth?

  “I saw Carolyn. You could ask her to dance.”

  “You mean I could pump her for more information.”

  “She’s always liked you.”

  “Her mother likes me. Carolyn and I are not interested in each other.”

  Mia sighed. “I’m aware of who you are interested in. Unfortunately for you, she has chosen to distance herself.”

  As if he needed the reminder. “I’m working on it.”

  “By inviting her to your house.”

  “She needs to know I trust her.”

  “Do you?”

  “Implicitly. I love her, Mia.”

  Mia’s usually cool countenance flickered. “Have you considered how that will play out?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “With her, you’re Mr. Green, shady fixer. Out here—” she swept her arm out “—you’re Jared Towers, consultant to the rich and powerful.”

  “It’s the same person. And any of the people here who’ve hired me as a consultant know, or at least suspect, how shady I can be.”

  “But is she? Can she play the dual role? Or do you plan to introduce her as your hacker girlfriend?”

  He paused because he hadn’t given it any thought. He didn�
�t want to bring Audrey into this world. Not because he didn’t think she could play the role, but because he didn’t want her to have to.

  “I think Carolyn could use a fresh drink. I’ll see you later.”

  As he stepped away, Audrey’s voice came in his ear. “We’re going to trip the system now. So if I don’t hear from either of you about a problem in the next ten seconds, we’re a go.”

  He glanced over his shoulder to where Scott was still entertaining people with some droll story that required them to force laughter to impress him. He chuckled his way through the retelling, waving one arm for emphasis while gripping his glass of brandy in his other hand. Everything about Scott was pompous. Was that how Audrey saw him?

  With a nod to Mia, he crossed the room, picking up an extra flute of champagne for Carolyn. Mia smiled as she engaged in conversation with Mrs. Scott.

  Extending the glass, to Carolyn he said, “You look like you could use this.”

  “Thank you.” She took a sip and then stepped closer. Keeping her voice low, she said, “Please rescue me. Kyle Peters keeps asking me to dance and he has no rhythm. He’s on his way back here.”

  “Never let it be said that I would leave a beautiful woman in distress.” Jared set his glass on a nearby table and bent his arm for her to take.

  She looped her arm through his and he shot Kyle a look as they passed to get to the dance floor.

  In his ear, Audrey said, “System is rebooting. Nikki, get in.”

  His heart raced, but he took Carolyn in his arms and began to waltz.

  “How are things with work?” Carolyn asked.

  “Busy. I’m thinking of expanding and hiring some permanent help instead of using freelancers.” He had no idea where the thought came from, but it solved all of his problems. Audrey could work for him full time. If she became part of his consulting firm, no one would question their relationship or whether she fit in. Take that, Mia.

  Of course, he still needed to convince Audrey of the brilliance of his idea. Which would require her to actually have a conversation with him. Later. Make sure she finished the job without trouble. Then they could figure out the rest.