The Cocky Thief (Stolen Hearts #1)(46)

“Fundraisers are populated by genuinely good people and horrible people trying to feel better. I just find one of the horrible ones and tell them that an agency sent me as a gift.”

“You little whore. That makes me so proud.”

Jennifer let out a laugh as she considered him. “This is strange.”

He intertwined his arm with hers and led her to the entrance of the fundraiser. “A little strange is good for you.”

“Tell me, Austin. Have you ever been with someone who knew who you were? Because I haven’t. Not once did anyone know what I did for a living. My most serious relationship thought I was an art appraiser.”

“I used that one while dating once. It really does explain all the travel and fancy clothes.”

“So does this mean I’m your first?”

“You’re my first honest relationship. If by honest, you mean that we lied continuously to each other when we first met.”

“Which was only a few days ago,” she reminded him.

“A long few days.” They reached the building and his grip on her arm tightened. “You ready for this?”

“To walk into a room where we know there are people who want us dead and we’re about to announce our presence? Sure. I’m totally ready.”

“Face it, Jennifer. I’m the only person who will find lies like that utterly sexy.”

Toni had given them the specs of the Spencer Tower. It was seventeen stories tall, fifteen above ground and two belowground. The building was mostly office space and amenities for the workers of the building. There were a few retail stores in the first level. So getting into the building was easy, but the elevators could be programmed on a day-to-day basis. For tonight, the elevators only went to the floor of the fundraiser. If anyone wanted to use the stairwell to get to any floors besides the lobby or the elevator for anything else, they’d need a keycard.

The atrium probably would’ve been impressive to most people. The glass windows went up for all fifteen floors; it was accented by a waterfall over the bottom two levels and light could enter above to illuminate hanging glass sculptures of blue, reds, yellows, and purples.

Except for Austin. All that glass meant it was easier to be seen.

The fundraiser was on the third level, and the signs, along with a few other partygoers trickling in, led the way. When they reached the third level, there was a folding table with two elderly women checking tickets. Behind them, standing off to the side, were two men in matching blue blazers and wires coming over their ears that signaled them as security.

“Hello,” one of the women said cheerfully as they approached. “Tickets and names, please.”

They both produced their tickets and Jennifer said, “Jennifer Murray and Austin Miles.”

The woman looked over her list and frowned. “Hmm...I’m not seeing an Austin Miles.”

Jennifer and Austin didn’t make eye contact. She knew if they looked too worried, security would take note. “I’m sure he’s there,” said Jennifer. “I think he was a late addition, if that makes any difference.”

“No, I don’t see an Austin Miles... There is an Austin Murray, though. And his name is right next to yours.” She smiled in victory, proud that she’d put the puzzle together.

“Austin Murray,” repeated Jennifer as she tried to stop the knowing smile. Toni was messing with her. One of the things she hadn’t missed while working alone was the practical jokes during jobs. Really not the time or place. “My assistant was joking,” she said with a half laugh.

“Well, here are your informational packets and you two are at table twelve. You have a great night.”

“Thanks so much.” Austin took the packets for each of them and, keeping them in one hand, he hooked the other around the small of her back and led her into the room.

Jennifer leaned in close. “Think Stranger knows we’re here yet?”

“Depends how many of the guards are his.” Austin and Jennifer turned to walk along the perimeter of the room and noticed that each of the guards standing by the entry table was talking into their earpieces. “And I’m going to guess that’s a yes.”

The room was large enough to hold a few hundred people and looked as if it were on the brink of reaching capacity. It killed Jennifer that they were trying to be seen because this was the perfect crowd to blend into.

“Oh. I have something for you now that we’re in.” Jennifer reached into her clutch and handed him a small beige-looking blob.

“What is this?”

“It’s a comm. Put it in your ear and you can hear the rest of the team.”

Austin took it from her and stared at it skeptically while he used his body to shield anyone else from seeing it. “Are you kidding? I’ve used these before. They’re shit. Half the time, you can’t hear what people are saying and they pick up so much background noise it’s impossible for anyone to hear us.”

“That’s a normal earpiece. This is Toni’s and it’s ten years ahead of anything on the market.” As Jennifer spoke, she put one of the devices into her own ear. “Can you hear me?”

“We can hear you,” said Toni. “Where is Miles?”

“They want you to put yours in.”

Austin shook his head even as he put the comm into his ear. “This isn’t going to work,” he muttered.