“No jewelry,” Aiden said, appearing in front of me. “Only coins.”
He held out his hand for the ring, something strange flickering in his eyes, smothering their earlier warmth.
I dropped it in his palm. “I’ll go stand watch.” I gave Maz the lamp, but glanced over my shoulder as I left.
And saw Aiden slip the ring into his pocket.
I frowned. Had he simply wanted it for himself? Or did it mean something to him?
He started to face me, so I rushed down the hallway and peered around both corners. Still empty and silent.
I paced the hallway, my skirt swishing with each step. The only other sound was the faint tinkle of coins. How much were they taking? We’d never discussed numbers. I’d spent so longassuming the heist would never happen that I’d never thought about it.
But it didn’t matter. Renwell would never let the gold escape Father’s clutches for long.
Come dawn, I would ask Aiden if I could stay with him. Plain and simple. After what he’d said, surely he wanted me to stay?
I bit my lip as butterflies danced through my stomach.My little thief.Did he want me to be his?
Sudden longing struck in a deep, dark crevice of my heart, growing roots, taking hold, drawing strength from hope.
At long last, Aiden and Maz pushed the cart out of the vault.
Just as voices echoed down the hall.
Panic flooded my bloodstream, and I waved wildly at them.
Their eyes widened, and they struggled to shove the cart back into the vault.
The voices came closer. Gods damn it, they would be here in moments.
Lost. I was supposed to act lost. Should I run out and greet them before they reached the vault hallway?
Aiden and Maz strained to close the door with Aiden on theoutside.
What are you doing?I wanted to scream.
My fingers dove into my hair and pulled out the hairpin knife Melaena had given me. Just to be safe.
Voices. Male. Footsteps. So close. More guards?
Aiden raced up to me, whipping off his helmet, his eyes blazing with determination.
I gaped at him. “You shouldn’t?—”
“Don’t stab me,” he whispered.
Then he kissed me.
Chapter 24
Kiera
The world had frozento a shocked calm as Aiden’s soft lips pressed against mine. Somewhere, in a different world, there were voices and the feel of the knife slipping from my fingers.
Then a beautiful, raging storm exploded inside me.
I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him back.
