“Don’t worry about it,Jaxy,” Vera says. “You’ll know when it’s time. Hel, can you make sure the bruise under Jax’s eye is covered well for tomorrow? I can’t have him going around looking like a street thug after a brawl.”
“You got it,” Hel says.
“I bet pretending to be someone else is exciting for you,” I murmur to Jax. “I would want to be someone else if I were you, too.”
Bart and Hel holler in laughter. Even a corner of Vera’s mouth twitches up.
Jax covers his eyes with the back of his palm. “Oh, Phoenix darling, why are you so cruel to me, a sensible fool, absolutely mesmerized by your beauty?”
My fists itch for violence.
“Tanaka,” Vera says once she finishes the next letter. She places it in the envelope and hands it to the blond girl. “Bring this to Taaslord Noire. If you say Vera sent you, his Ezkai should let you in to see him no matter what. Wait for him to read the letter and come back with his response to me immediately.”
Tanaka takes the letter. “Of course, Vera.”
I cross my arms and lean back in the chair. “Care to share your plan?”
“I told you I know the perfect gift in mind for Oka Oya,” Vera says. “Unfortunately, getting it is a complicated matter.”
“Why so?”
“We’ll need to steal it,” Vera says and jerks her chin at Jax. “That’s why we’ll need pretty boy right there.”
“Happy to be of service,” Jax chirps. He wiggles his fingers. “Stealing happens to be my expertise.”
“Go figure,” I say. “What is this gift and from whom are we going to steal it?”
“It’s a priceless family heirloom,” Vera says. “And it belongs to Nobleman Uringi.” To Jax, she says, “You said you want to help Phoenix win. That you are our ally. Well, this is your chance to earn your keep.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
PHOENIX
I’ll admit, I’m extremely nervous about tonight. I know Nobleman Uringi doesn’t have many warm feelings towards me already. If something disappears from his treasury during the party he threw in my honor…I bet he’ll hate me.
“I would make a great Caetra,” Jax says. He walks between me and Vera, looking at both of us for confirmation. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
I don’t bother to answer him.
Sure, the wide silk shirt he wears with a deep V going all the way down to his belly button looks damn good. His massive eagle tattoo on his chest is out on display, and his oiled-up skin gleams whenever it catches light as we make our way towards Uringi’s estate.
Jax looks hot. I can admit it even if I despise him.
It doesn’t meanheneeds to know I think he’s hot.
“You’re not wrong,” Vera says. “I know quite a few noblewomen who enjoy a company of men like you.”
“What exactly do you mean by saying ‘men like me’?”
Vera and I exchange a silent glance and I snort a laugh.
Jax frowns. “Hey! That’s absolutely not fair. I want in on the joke, too.”
Vera pats his shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’re at the center of the joke.”
The face Jax makes is priceless.
Vera turns serious. “Remember, the heirloom is in the private treasury connected to Uringi’s bedroom. You’ll have to get in there unnoticed towards the end of the party. Once you have it, give me a sign so we can wrap the party up. We need to be swift and on time, because later tonight, I have people breaking into Uringi’s estate to steal some stuff so it looks like the heirloom went missing then, and not during a party.”
