The Cunning Thief (Stolen Hearts #6)(40)

Hart looked at her questioningly, but he ended up nodding. “You don’t need to be here for the rest of this. But if you want to stay and keep updated on what we’re doing, you’re more than welcome.”

She’d had enough for one day. She gave a quick, insincere smile before she turned and left. She was just out of the room when she heard footsteps behind her. Footsteps that she recognized. In fact, she was pretty sure she could recognize Tristan’s footsteps anywhere now. It was as if she were tuned in to him. “What?” she asked without stopping.

“I figured you might be hungry. Want to head to the kitchen and raid the fridge? I think Toni went shopping today.”

“You can’t just give me brownies every time I’m in a mood.”

“Well, that’s silly. I don’t see why not.”

She let out a little laugh. “Listen, I am in a bad mood. I’m probably going to be in a bad mood all night. You really don’t need to hang around out of pity to make me feel better.”

“I don’t know what part of this read pity to you. Besides, I’m good at cheering people up. I always know the right thing to say.”

“Is that how you get people to trust you when you rob them?”

“Well, it started with me getting people to like me when I was on the streets, begging.”

Shae narrowed her eyes. She thought back to how little she knew about him. He’d mentioned his father and how he’d pushed him into the water, but that had been back before she knew who he was. She didn’t know what was just a fabrication to get her to like him and what had actually happened. And at what point did the begging come in? Before or after he’d been thrown into that water?

She just didn’t know what to do with him. “Look, Tristan, I don’t want to be cheered up right now. I want to be angry. I want to feel bitter. Considering you might very possibly have had a worse childhood than I did, I’m not in the mood to have my pity party with you.”

“You keep using that word,” he said. “Pity. I don’t know why you think I pity you.”

“Of course you pity me,” she said. “Hell, I pity me. People trying to kill me. I’m hanging around with a bunch of people who don’t even want my help, but I’m too afraid to go home. I really don’t see anything that’s not to pity right now.”

“Well, do you want to know how I see it?”

“Not really.”

“Too bad. I see one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever known, who is surrounded by people who like her and want her to be safe. I see someone who came from a privileged background and let that go even when it was one of the hardest decisions she’s ever made. I see someone who’s too smart for her own good, too pretty for her own good, and feels things even when anyone else would tell her to push those feelings down and just do what’s expected of her. I don’t see one damn thing to pity here.”

Just when Shae was about to throw herself into his arms and tell him that was the nicest thing she’d ever heard, Hunter showed up behind him. Shae shifted her weight and tried to act normal. “What’s up?” she asked.

“You’re not going to like this. Your dad’s here, Shae.”





Tristan braced himself as everyone in the house scrambled to the front door. Thanks to all of Toni’s security systems and safeguards, they knew Manuel Grant was there long before he ever parked his car. By the time he reached the front door, Tristan pulled it open and was glaring at the man who had caused Shae so much pain. “I think you’re in the wrong place,” he said harshly.

Manuel blinked in surprise. He apparently wasn’t used to being threatened. Well, he was about to get a really intense fucking lesson on it.

“I’m here to see my daughter.” Manuel straightened his shoulders, showing that he wasn’t one to cower easily.

Tristan knew it wasn’t just him glaring down at the man. By now Hunter, Gage, Toni, and Scott were all there. It wasn’t just his daughter. He had to get through all of them first.

“Shae’s not here right now.”

“I can see her,” said Manuel.

“Like I said, she’s not here right now. At least not for you. Maybe try again later.” He started to shut the door, but Manuel stuck his foot out.

“Shae! I just want to have a few words. I’ll leave you alone after this. I promise.”

Tristan turned to look at her.

Shae took a nervous gulp. Tristan could tell she didn’t want to spend any time with her father, but he also knew Shae well enough to understand that she wasn’t going to say no. Between her desire not to let people down and her desire to be strong, she wouldn’t want to step away from this, even if it made her uncomfortable. “It’s fine, guys.” She stepped forward. Tristan didn’t move out of her way, though. Instead, he remained standing shoulder to shoulder with her. “I can spare him a few minutes.”

“Ummm, I think you guys are forgetting the bigger picture,” said Toni. “How the hell did you find us?”

“I always know where my daughter is.”

Tristan wasn’t sure whether that was supposed to sound reassuring, but to him it sounded creepy as hell.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” said Toni. “I want details. If you tracked us here, other people can too. People who don’t really care about the safety of their precious daughters.”