“Look who’s talking,” Sebastian scoffed. “Your father would walk into a tavern, Levana, tell the barman keep the tab runningThen, after one beer, he would be on the floor, tongue-hanging drunk.”
They both laughed and I wondered what had happened between them that cause a separation in their friendship. We spent the next thirty minutes talking about their school antics and I realized that what my father lacked in friends, he found in Sebastian.
Chapter 21 - Saint
Istood at the whiteboard, finishing off the calculations for the Sinead project I’d been helping Dean with, when I felt warm hands slide around my waist. Surprised, I turned into Levana’s embrace. Resting her chin on my chest, she looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Granted, my tongue hadn’t gotten over the burn as quickly as I assumed it would, I didn’t trust that she wasn’t up to another trick. Regardless, I enjoyed her company and the reason why I came over more often that it should be deemed appropriate. Her laughter and easy jokes were a pleasure I didn’t know I liked until I met her. I could listen to her all day, even if it meant cock blocking myself.
“To what do I owe this pleasure.” I tweaked her nose then manoeuvred myself out of her embrace. Not sure if I was doing it to prevent Dean walking in on us and getting the wrong idea or for my sanity. Admittedly, the latter was beginning to taunt my restraint more each day I spent in her company.
“I got you something.” She held out her hand.
Curious, I eyed the square ring box. “What is that?”
“You have to open it and see for yourself,” she teased, her laugh contagious. Smiling, I took the box and opened it. My eyes widened as I stared at the contents. “Do you like them?”
Gobsmacked, I was at a loss for words. If I wasn’t mistaken, a pair of Snake-eye diamond cufflinks winked back at me. “Levana, where did you get these?” I finally found my voice after trying to make sense of how a schoolgirl was walking around with a set of cufflinks that were worth millions.
“You don’t like them?” She pouted.
I grasped her arms lightly. “It’s not that I don’t like them, I just need to know where you got them.”
She shrugged. “Promise you won’t be angry if I tell you?” I nodded. “A friend of a friend owns a jewellery manufacturing workshop. He asked me to choose something I liked from his worktable and when I saw these, I knew they’d be perfect for you.”
“Jesus Christ. Levana, these are Snake-eye diamond cufflinks. They’re worth millions.”
Her jaw dropped, her expression pure shock. “Are you serious?”
My laugh was unapologetically mirthless. “Trust me, I’d know these cufflinks anywhere. They were once part of a Winthrop fundraising auction.” I’d overlooked that entire event myself, so I knew every piece in the collection.
“Oh shit. Should I take them to the cops?” she asked, her innocence speaking through her hesitant smile.
Slowly, I shook my head, contemplating the consequences if she did. “I don’t want you involved in this. Just give me the name of your friend or the address, and I’ll take them to the police,” the words came out a lot harsher than I intended.
“Do I have to?” I heard the distinct uncertainty in her voice.
“Levana,” I gentled my tone. “You’ll have to trust me, to keep you safe. This friend, doesn’t happen to fall on the wrong side of the law, does he?” I felt like an arse asking her the question. She was just a seventeen-year-old girl who loved history and played tricks on people like me. Obviously, she wouldn’t be friends with thieving misfits.
