The Cunning Thief (Stolen Hearts #6)(47)

“But it’s not too dangerous for Tristan?”

“He’s a professional,” said Toni.

“He’s a professional who’s about to track sandy footprints all over my business! Fuck this. I’m not wasting time debating with you people. You promised me I’m not a prisoner, so either you take me to Seaside Escape or I’ll walk out this door and find a way there.”

There was a tense silence, and right before Shae had been about to walk right the hell out of there, Toni ordered Hunter to go with her and said they’d be soon behind once they arranged a few last-minute items.

Which led to her cursing Tristan’s very existence while Hunter had to listen in annoyance. “Son of a bitch,” said Shae for the hundredth time. “Son of a—”

“Please stop,” blurted Hunter as he made another reckless lane change.

“I’ll stop when the murderous rage goes away,” she muttered.

Hunter tightened his grip on the wheel. “We’re almost there.”

Maybe she should shut up for a bit. She had a feeling Hunter was as pissed off as she was. She couldn’t believe Tristan had left. He knew how important this was to her. How important Seaside Escape was. She thought back to what it felt like to run into his arms when she realized he’d survived the shootout at the mansion. That joy. Had that meant anything to him?

“I can’t believe he would do this to me. I can’t believe he would leave me. Fuck, Hunter, he said he loved me. How could he do this?”

Hunter looked over at her questioningly. “Tristan said that?”

“Well, no. He said he loved how brave I was. That I was a fighter or some shit.”

“That’s a little different than saying the big three.”

“I....” She couldn’t fight that logic. It was very different. But damn it, she loved him. She didn’t even know whether she’d realized it until he’d walked out. But somehow that undeniable connection between them had turned into so much more.

“Hey,” said Hunter in a comforting tone. “He didn’t leave you leave you. He’s trying to take care of you.”

Shae shook her head. “Don’t bother trying to defend your friend.”

“I’m not just saying it because he’s a friend. We both know he can be a dick when he wants to be. But I’ve left someone I love to keep them safe before.”

That had Shae’s attention. She turned to look at Hunter. “Was she mad?”

“Knowing her? I’d bet my life on it. But I never saw her again, so I never felt the wrath.”

“Wait. If you loved her, why didn’t you go back?”

“Long story.”

“Well, why don’t you go back now?”

“What’s different about now?”

“Now you have me telling you to go back.”

It was Hunter’s turn to scoff. “She doesn’t want to see me.”

“You said you loved her. Isn’t it worth a chance?”

“You’re talking a lot about love for someone who just met Tristan. Exactly how serious are you?”

Shae knew he was changing the subject, but it worked. She immediately shut up about his love life even as she pondered his question. How serious were she and Tristan? She kept trying to convince herself they were a phase. A really fucking hot and passionate phase.

But as Hunter turned onto the road leading to Seaside Escape, she knew for certain that if she ever lost Tristan, she’d lose herself as well.





Tristan stepped through the door cautiously. Considering the back door was still unlocked, it was by far the easiest place he’d ever broken into, but getting inside was only the first hurdle. Finding what he was looking for would be something else. It would be relatively easy considering the small amount of furniture inside the house. It also helped that he’d searched his share of homes.

Usually when he started a search, he had a better idea of what he was looking for. But he wasn’t clueless either. Something probably fireproof. Something inside the house. And, for whatever reason, something that Damask was unable to have his men remove.

As he stepped farther into the house, he listened carefully for anything to indicate that he wasn’t alone. So far he didn’t hear anything, but he didn’t let his guard down as he started on his search. There could be someone in hiding, and there was very likely a hidden camera alerting someone to his presence. He wouldn’t truly feel safe until he was looking at this place in his rearview mirror.

And that was exactly why he was here alone. Because he wasn’t about to let Shae put herself in the line of danger. Hearing her talk about leaving him had pushed him over the edge. He wanted to fight. To say this wasn’t just a one-off thing. That he had no intention of leaving her.

But to do that, they needed to solve the Damask problem. And he needed to solve that in a way she didn’t get hurt. He was sure she’d be pissed at him, but if she was alive, she’d be much more likely to get over it than if she were six feet under. It was apparent now more than ever that he couldn’t let her go. And he sure as hell wasn’t about to let Damask take her away from him.

He started upstairs. In his experience, most flame-proof safes were generally in bedrooms. People liked to sleep close to their valuables and dirty secrets. He went through the rooms carefully, checking for hollow spots in the wall or floor. He’d just finished the second story and was heading to the main floor when he heard someone enter the house. Automatically, he reached for his gun and held it at his side. He stood utterly still. From this angle, he wasn’t exposed on the stairs, but if he moved, he knew he’d make noise. Holding his breath, Tristan prepared himself as the footsteps got closer.