The Cocky Thief (Stolen Hearts #1)(19)

Phillip’s phone went off and he excused himself before he ran off to deal with who knew what.

“You look lost,” said a voice from behind him.

He looked over his shoulder to see Melody Murray there. Strange that she was talking to him when Jennifer seemed to want nothing to do with him. “Not lost,” corrected Austin. “Calculating my next move.”

She didn’t look amused at his choice of words. Funny. He knew that if he’d used the same line on Jennifer, he would’ve gotten a brow raise or something. So he went on to explain himself. “I’m supposed to be networking. I’m trying to do the cost benefit analysis of how boring someone is to talk to and how much they can help my career.”

Still no change of expression. Maybe she’d just gotten Botox or something. Though she was so young that he had a hard time imagining that...

“If you don’t want to be here, why don’t you just leave?”

“Uhhh...work.”

Melody didn’t seem convinced. “Some jobs just aren’t worth it.”

“I think I missed it, but what do you do again?”

That got a wistful smile out of her, at least. “I used to work retail but I’m between jobs at the moment.”

It was strange to think of someone so closely related to Isobel and Jennifer working behind a cash register at the local department store. But now that he thought about it, Jennifer never told him what she did for a living. And as far as he knew, Isobel was just a socialite before she met Stranger.

So what made this family so special?

Melody didn’t seem like the kind to bullshit, so Austin got right to the point. “What are you doing here?”

She frowned. “I’m here for my mother’s wedding.”

“No. Here talking to me when I can’t help but feel like you don’t even like me.”

She tilted her head before she glanced to her mother and sister. “I think my sister likes you more than even she thinks. So I’m trying to figure out if that’s a good thing or not. My family isn’t an easy one to get along with.”

Austin stiffened. Jennifer was talking about him to her sister? Maybe she thought things were more serious than they were. “I hate to break it to you, but your sister and I haven’t, I mean, we aren’t—”

“Don’t worry. She’s not planning the wedding yet. Actually, I don’t think she wants anything to do with you right now. But there’s something...” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I felt like there was something there that I’ve never seen before. Figured I’d talk to you about it now before it’s too late.”

That got his attention. “Too late for what?”

She smiled as if there was something she knew and he didn’t. “You know, with the wedding and all that, I figure I won’t get another chance to talk to you. Anyway, I better get going. You have a nice night, Austin.”

She crossed the room to join her family and Jennifer briefly met his eyes before she looked away. Was something happening that he didn’t know about? Austin stiffened and looked around the room. The guards were at their posts and hadn’t moved all night. The blond one seemed extra interested in Melody, but she was hot, so that didn’t surprise Austin too much.

The biggest variables in the room, Stranger and Sterling, were still being chummy on the right side of the room, and Isobel wasn’t too far away. Austin wouldn’t mind meeting the evil mastermind behind the Killion Group, but considering he was about to steal from the guy, he’d rather stay under the radar.



“What were you talking to him about?” asked Jennifer as soon as Mel reached her.

“Wedding stuff,” said Mel innocently. “What else?”

Jennifer had no idea, but there had been something about the way they’d been looking at each other that told her there was more to the conversation than that. Not a romantic look. More...intense. Calculating. Normally she never questioned those instincts, but she didn’t want to think about her sister talking to someone about things she shouldn’t, especially not the guy they were about to set up. “You’re not planning anything, are you?”

Mel rolled her eyes. “I was just curious about him, okay? Nothing else.”

Jennifer finally nodded. It would have to do for now. “Okay. Isobel is planning on making a move right after dinner starts. Most people will be too distracted. If Austin moves sooner, we’ll have to adjust our plans.”

Mel shrugged. “Fine. I’m ready.”

“Okay. One of the guards, the blond one, has been watching you all night. If we get caught in a bind, I recommend you get him to help you.”

Proving that she still remembered her training, Mel didn’t immediately look. “I’m daughter of the bride. It makes sense that the guards would have their eye on me.”

Yeah, but something told Jennifer that it was more. Mel had an innocence about her that tended to attract all sorts of men, usually no-good ones like her ex. However, while working jobs, that innocent look worked to their advantage.

Jennifer didn’t have a naturally innocent look, but she took after her mother’s fast talking and quick thinking that could get them out of trouble. She might not look innocent, but she could convince even the most skeptical of men that she was an angel.