Koen exchanges a glance with Levi, something unspoken passing between them. Levi shrugs casually and says, “We need you to steal something for us.”
I blink, trying to catch up.Steal?That is not where I thought this was going.
“If you give back the watch and help us with this…” Koen offers, “… we won’t call the police.”
“Fuck that.” I pull back, but Levi’s hands tighten on my hips, keeping me from bolting from his lap. “Call the police. You can’t fucking blackmail me.”
“We’re not blackmailing you,” Levi promises, but Koen’s smirk sharpens.
“You know who we are, right?”
“Of course I do.Everybodydoes.”
“Then you know we could buy you that villa and Mustang,” Levi says smoothly. “And give you enough to live happily ever after in Italy.”
The promises swirl in my mind, dangerous and glittering like broken glass.
I don’t trust them. But God, some part of me wants to.
I could start over.
I have nothing left here. Annabelle is off to a better life, and I fucked things up with my favorite club. And let’s be honest, Ican’t strip forever.I’m so tired of this life. But as quickly as it comes, it’s gone, extinguished by the weight of reality.
What would I even do there alone?
I snort, shaking my head. “What could possibly be so important for you to offer me all that?”
“We’ll tell you…” Koen says as he studies me. “When you’ve proven you’re good enough to help.”
I raise a brow as tension coils through my body. “So, what? I have to pass some kind of test first?”
The twins share another glance, and then Levi grins. “Good idea.” His fingers press lightly into my hips as he lifts me off his lap and stands. “You know about our building?”
“The Lane Building?” I scoff.
It’s practically a Vegas landmark, right on the Strip with its black exterior and neon blue lights that demand attention, even amidst the towering five-star hotels flanking it. People come from all over the world to see it, where they can see the magic shows and visit the magic museum all in one stop.
Before they took their break after their uncle died three months ago, tourists lined up daily for the chance to see the show, and the museum houses everything from Houdini’s old props to custom-made, high-tech illusions created by the Lane family themselves.
It’s almost untouchable.
“Exactly,” Levi grins. “Be there tomorrow at two p.m.”
“Bring the watch. And come sober,” Koen adds, giving me a look that lets me know he’s fully aware I’m not right now.
“And what if I don’t?” I ask, raising my chin.
I’m a lot, but not a fucking pushover.
Koen ignores that as he asks flatly, “You’ll come, right?”
“Yes.” Once more, the truth slips out of my mouth before I can stop it.
Goddammit.
I have no idea why I’m intrigued, but fuck it, I am.
They could ruin me or worse. Why does the idea of a villa in Tuscany, of leaving this all behind, make my chest ache like I might cry?
