Page 48 of The Thief

“Argento said I was trying to rob him, so he must have been one of my targets. Instead of turning me in, I guess he taught me the ropes on how to swindle wealthy people and made me his.”

Bear narrowed his eyes, and tension crackled in the air. “What do you mean by his?”

“Like joining a gang. Some get tattoos, others get brands, but I got silver hair. There’s something defective about his light. Whenever he uses it, it turns the other person’s hair silver. Permanently. That explains why his Learner had silver hair.”

“He put his light in you?” Bear looked like he was going to spontaneously combust.

“That’s what he said. It must have been a mutual agreement, like closing the deal. It feels like he owns me. That’s why he wears those gloves all the time. If he kills someone, it’ll be easy to prove.” I ran my fingers through my hair and scrunched it in my hand. “I’ve learned how to fill in the gaps in my life with fiction because it doesn’t invite speculation. That’s why I lied about being born with this hair. If I say I don’t remember, it creates more questions. Ones I don’t have answers for.”

“I wish I could make it go away.”

“Me too.” I glanced around, thinking how cozy his room felt. The black and brown colors gave it a masculine vibe, and it smelled so inviting. The thought of going back to my empty room put a knot in my stomach. “Do you mind if I sleep in here tonight?”

When he swallowed, his large Adam’s apple slid up and down his throat. “If that’s what makes you feel safe, you’re welcome to my bed.”

That last part rolled around in my head for a little too long.

Bear stood and crossed the room. After pulling back the thin blanket, he patted the mattress. This wasn’t planned, but for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone. He switched off the light. As my eyes adjusted to the dark room, I waited for the bed to surrender to his weight. Instead, the love seat creaked when he sat across the room.

I was not about to let him sleep on a tiny sofa.

“I’d feel safer with you over here,” I said, inviting him to lie next to me.

“I’m safer over here,” he replied.

“Safe from what?”

“That little nighty you have on.”

My belly warmed, and the thought of him climbing over the bed made me crave his nearness.

“Those boys singled you out because they were jealous. You weren’t even an alpha and you were maturing faster than they were. I bet when they saw your wolf for the first time, they peed their pants.”

“Doubtful.”

Stunned by his sincerity, I sat up. “I’ve seen your wolf. Have you? Do you realize how big and terrifying he is? Everyone dreams of having a brave wolf like yours. And a gorgeous coat to boot.” I fell back onto the pillow. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-five.”

“Thirty-five?” I laughed. “Holy mackerel. You’re just a baby.”

He belted out a robust laugh. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.”

I dragged the cover over my head. “Oh my God. I’m more than three times your age.”

The mattress dipped when he finally lay down beside me.

“Maybe so, but you’re the prettiest young lady I’ve ever seen.”

I flipped the cover off my head. “How old do I look? In human years, I mean.”

“I don’t spend much time looking at humans.”

“I’ve never met a man as sweet as you.”

He tucked his legs under the covers and rested on his back. In the dim light that leaked in from a quarter-moon, I studied his handsome profile.

“I’m not as sweet as you think, Mercy.”

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