Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
I giggled. “You were not.”
“58274,” he said, “and I was. Always knew I was going into the family business, so it didn’t matter what I majored in. English sounded cool, so I went with that.”
I typed in the final code, pulse humming as the door swung in. This may not be a heist in the traditional blood-pumping, one-step-ahead-of-the-cops sense, still, it was pretty damn thrilling.
“Wow.”
When Sunny said safe, he misspoke. Vault was the accurate description, and treasure trove the one I went with. Five metal racks stacked four shelves high claimed the space rivaling the size of Sunny’s office. Everywhere I looked, an item worth four times my life looked back at me.
“I don’t know where Ryker put it,” Sunny said, “so you’ll have to look around.”
“I’ll find it.” I started with the rack in front of me, skimming the neat labels for “Diamonds: Seven million dollars.”
“How’s Laurel?” I asked.
“Bathed, changed, and playing the piano with her feet. Fuller bought her a tummy-time toy that lets her play music when she kicks. Afterward we’re chilling until you come home.”
“You’re so amazing with her, Sunny.”
“This surprises you? I excel in all areas, baby.”
I heaved a sigh.
“Totally nailing this stepdad thing, so whenever you’re ready to make this official, let me know.”
“Oh?” I moved to the second rack. “What if I said I’d hop a plane with you to Vegas tonight?”
“I’d say wear something slutty underneath your wedding dress ’cause the only thing better than a Vegas wedding is a Vegas honeymoon.”
My toes curled thinking of what we’d get up to in a Bellagio suite, and him carrying me over the threshold inside one.
“I never wanted to get married,” I confessed. “Seeing what my mom went through with my father... Putting a ring on her finger convinced the man she was his property. I was terrified of stepping inside another cage.”
“Was?” Sunny said gently.
“Yeah.” A smile stretched across my lips for more reasons than one. I took down the blue velvet pouch, spilling the diamonds on my palm. “Was.”
My prize disappeared in my pocket. “I’ve got it, Sunny. I’m going to meet Vito now.”
“Where’s Sienna? Don’t meet him alone.”
“I’m not. Sienna is catching a ride with Bane and meeting me there, while Bane does his invisibility trick. I don’t put a double cross past Vito. It occurred to me that with seven million dollars in his hand, he could knock me out and take off.”
“Coates and Wexler should go with you too. They’ll be discrete.”
“We can’t risk it. It’s too much of a risk having Bane hang around too. Whoever attacked you was watching close enough to know when your guards were around, and the one night you went out alone. If they’re hooked up with Vito and watching me just as closely, discretion in this case is you staying home.” I ducked out of the hidden compartment. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you when it’s done, and I’ll have a name.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up. Climbing on top of the chair, I flicked the switch—sliding Native Son and the wet bar into their rightful place.
“Wasn’t expecting you this late.”
I jerked and nearly toppled off the chair. Grabbing the leather, it swung around, pointing me straight at Ryker.
“Me?” I jumped off, hoping just how bad a fright he gave me wasn’t written on my face. Oh no, did he see the wet bar move? Did Ryker notice the book I put back on the shelf?
“What are you doing here?” I asked. I resisted flicking to the wet bar and giving myself away. “I thought we discussed the open-door policy. It doesn’t exist.”
“Orlando called.” Ryker stepped farther in the room, letting the door shut us in. “Said the boss stopped by to make sure everything was okay.”
“Huh.” I moved, inching toward the door. I had to catch a thirty-five-minute ride to Harlow where Vito was waiting. I didn’t have time for this. “So, you rushed over here to check on me? You’ve got to get yourself a life, man.”
Ryker chuckled, and my insides curdled. He smiled for the second time. Why did that not feel good for me?
“Where is it?”
I tensed. “Where’s what?”
“Orlando said you forgot something. Where is it?” he asked slowly.
“I thought I forgot one of the inventory sheets.” I was proud of myself for the quick answer. “I was missing a page and thought I left it here, but it seems I didn’t. Probably is at home mixed with the wrong papers.” Turning, I cast a look at the bookshelf. “While I was here, I gave Sunny’s books a look. An impressive collection I expect from an English major. Did you study the same thing?”
Ryker narrowed on me—gazed fixed, steady, and hard. I waited for a reply, none came.
“Well, lovely talking with you as always.” Brushing past him, the diamonds were an anvil in my pocket. “Go to a club, Ryker. Meet a girl, or guy. Go back to their place and bang some of that stress out of you.” I saluted him. “See you tomorrow.”