“It’s an invisible shield, not that you give a fuck,” Cash growled. He didn’t want to be cruel to her. Hewantedto love her. To cherish and marry her. To make her the mother of his children. But the longer he stared at her outfit, the more her betrayal gutted him.
“Of course, I give a fuck,” she shouted. “I didn’t want this. I never wanted this. I was trying to save you from her.”
“Like I believe you.” Cash pushed past her, his heart breaking as she registered his rejection. “I’m a fool, but I don’t want to see you in handcuffs. Get out of here before I change my mind.”
“Cash…”
“Get out!” He shouted to keep from crying. How could she do this to him? He loved her. He was ready to give his life to her, and she’d played him like a fiddle. “I have to find my son.”
“Clover,” Sable whispered. “Oh shit!” Her curse was so forceful that he flinched, but before he could learn what had her freaking out, she fled the exhibit.
Sable ran faster than she’d ever run in her life. She tore through the museum like a madwoman and burst onto the street so fast that the gala guests shrieked at her sudden appearance. Ignoring their cries, she aimed for where she’d stashed her motorcycle and jumped on it, revving the engine to life when she saw Cash explodeoutinto the night after her.
Changing her trajectory, Sable rode the motorcycle up the museum’s front steps and skidded to a stop before him as guests and security guardsalikeshouted at her.
“Get on!” she demanded.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Cash said.
“Get on now!” Her voice was so aggressive that he flinched, but he still didn’t move. “I know where she’s going,” Sable added. “I know where she’s taking Clover, so get on!”
That kicked Cash into gear, and he launched himself at her, landing on the back of her bike with grace, and she was speeding away before he was fully seated.
“Slow down!” he shouted as he fell forward to clutch her waist, but instead of listening to him, she pushed the bike faster.
“Every thief invited to participate in this heist competition was given coordinates,” she said, ignoring his concern. “You don’t win the prize money unless you deliver the egg to Him at that location, which means if we hurry, we can catch her. The Ombra doesn’t win until she delivers, and I doubt she’ll let Clover out of her sight tonight. He’s with her, and if he’s with her, I know where to find them.”
“Sable, slow down!” Cash shouted in her ear, and she twitched at the harsh sound. Her ears—both sets of them—were sensitive, and his panic hurt her eardrums. “Humans can’t drive that fast.”
“I can,” she said.
“Stop the bike,” he ordered. “Stop the bike and let me drive. I’m Fae. I’ll be faster.”
“Cash, stop yelling. I know where we’re going, so I’m driving.”
“Of course, I’m yelling!” His voice rattled through her as his chest vibrated with his panicked anger. “My son is missing. My child, who I’ve given ten years of my life to, is gone because I let you distract me. If I hadn’t been so obsessed with you, I would’ve paid better attention. I would have realized something was wrong, and my ex would’ve never taken my son.”
“You couldn’t have stopped this,” Sable argued. “No one knew who The Ombra was. I didn’t even know what she looked like before tonight. You couldn’t have stopped her. She’s called The Shadow for a reason. Everyone’s terrified of her.”
“It doesn’t matter what she is. You’re still a thief. I let you near my son, and this whole time you were playing us for fools. I must be the biggest idiot because I fell for women like you twice.”
“I’m sorry. I never meant for Clover to get hurt.”
“No, you just meant to insinuate yourself into our lives so you could ruin us when you stole the egg.”
“That’s not what happened.”
“Really,Sable? If that’s even your name. Because I saw you in the exhibit. Youwere seconds away from stealing the egg. I would’ve been fired if you fled town with it, and you would’ve left both me and Clover heartbroken. So tell me again how that isn’t what happened.”
“Please, let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Just drive. Clover is all that matters.”
“Cash…”
“Just drive!”
“No! I need to explain.” Sable slammed on the brakes, and the motorcycle skidded to a halt on the side of the empty highway. She yanked the keys out of the ignition so Cash couldn’t take off without her and then jumped off the bike. He could hate her all he wanted. She deserved it, but she needed him to know the truth. She needed him to know that she hadn’t used him. Unlike The Ombra, her love was real, and if things had been different, she would’ve given up her invitation to this competition to be with him.
