Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)(31)

Marcus passed by, and Kat mouthed “help,” but he just offered Hale’s mother some champagne and continued through the room, wordless.

“And how do you enjoy Knightsbury, Katarina…or is it Kat? Which do you prefer?”

For all that she had done in her short life, Kat was not used to playing inside. She didn’t know how to smile and flirt, cajole and confuse someone into believing something was their idea (especially when it wasn’t). No, Kat was a thief, not a con artist, more her mother’s child than her father’s in at least that one respect. So it was with a pounding heart and sweaty palms that she told the woman, “Most people call me Kat.”

“It is a lovely name.” When Hale’s mother smiled, Kat felt a pang of familiarity. Hale was built like his father, with the same broad shoulders and tall frame. But right then Kat knew that Hale was actually like his mother. They had the same easy smile and bright eyes. Charm. They were both charmers. And Kat found herself liking the woman just as, years before, she hadn’t been able to help liking the boy. It felt a little like she was cheating on Hale. With his mother.

“Isn’t that something?”

Kat glanced at Genesis and nodded. “Yes. It really is.”

“It’s going to be quite impressive when we unveil it at the gala next week. You are coming to the gala, aren’t you?”

“Oh, I…” Kat looked at Hale, but his mother talked on.

“You simply must. It’s such an important night for Scooter. He and his grandmother were very close. Did you know that?”

“Yes,” Kat said. She didn’t admit that she’d learned it a little too late.

Hale’s mother smiled. “The company means a lot to my son, and if I’m correct, you mean a lot to my son. I’m the first to admit that he and his father and I have been slightly…estranged. He was a challenging boy. But now he’s a man, and I want to know him. And I believe it’s also important to know you.”

“It is?” Kat asked.

Mrs. Hale laughed. “There will be lots of girls who are interested in him now. There were many before, I’m sure, but now…well, let’s just say this kind of inheritance changes things.”

“Not for me,” Kat said, and she meant it.

“And that’s why I hope that we will be very close, Kat.” Hale’s mother smiled.

Kat’s head was buzzing. No. That wasn’t it. The buzzing was reverberating from the center of the crowd.

“The device shouldn’t be making that noise,” Silas said from across the room.

Kat was more than a little surprised at the speed and agility the old man showed as he raced toward the prototype. There was a loud pop just as he reached it, a burning, hissing spark that sputtered and flamed in a bright arc. Smoke filled the air.

“Foster, what is the meaning of this?” Hale’s father snapped as if Silas were deliberately wasting his time.

“I’m not sure,” Silas said. “I’ve personally tested this a dozen times in the past two weeks, and…I’m not sure.”

Kat looked around the lab at what, if Mr. Foster was correct, was one of the biggest days in the history of Hale Industries. Of the Hale family.

But she couldn’t see her Hale anywhere.

Marcus was coming toward her, a tray of shrimp puffs in his hand. But the look in his eyes was enough to stop Kat cold.

“Where is he, Marcus?”

“He’s gone to his office.”

“Where is it? Please tell me. I have to talk to him.”

“No, miss.” Marcus took her hand and squeezed. “You have to stop him.”





Kat wasn’t sure what was going on then, but she’d spent too much of her life as the girl with the plan to sit on the sidelines of whatever was happening. She pushed through the halls of Hale Industries, the cubicles and conference rooms spiraling out like a maze, and she didn’t know where to go. So she stopped, heart pounding. And listened.

“Gloria, red looks good on you,” someone said.

And there he was. Hale was strolling easily down the center aisle, slapping a man on the back and asking, “Hey, Jones, how’s the baby?”

“Hale,” Kat said, struggling to catch up. “I need to talk to you.”

“Go home, Kat,” he told her, never breaking stride until he finally came to rest in front of the woman who sat stoically guarding the corner office.

“Mr. Hale,” the woman said, a little too much emphasis on the word Mister for Kat’s liking. “I was not expecting you today.”

“Hello, gorgeous.” Hale smiled and sat on the corner of the woman’s immaculate desk. “I tried to stay away—I really did. But I knew you were up here, and I just had to come say hi.”

“Delightful,” the woman said. “And you brought a guest.”

She slid her icy glare from Hale to the girl behind him. Kat shifted and was acutely aware of the fact that the skirt Gabrielle had chosen for her was too short. She wanted to rappel down the elevator shaft and disappear.

“I had to show off the empire. So, have you missed me?” Hale reached down to polish the Hale Industries Employee of the Year plaque that sat beside the woman’s computer. “I’m sure you must have missed me.”