Page 103 of Brazen Criminals

“What do you mean?”

He holds me tighter against him, like he always needs me closer, always needs to feel me beside him. “Jansen hasn’t stolen from me for weeks. RJ is talking to you, even though he’s probably sweaty and terrified while he does—the guy has never been able to talk to a girl unless it was totally platonic, and trust me, that’s not how he feels about you. And Trips is driving you places, which doesn’t sound like much, but he never does nice things unless there’s something in it for him.”

“He packs me snacks,” I say, not knowing how to take this knowledge. My heart is all achy.

Walker huffs. “Damn.”

“What about you?” I whisper, not sure I want to know.

Walker squeezes me tight. “I started drawing again. Not just copying other people’s work, but putting my own stuff down on paper.”

I shift so I can see his face. “Can I see?”

“Not today.”

“But someday?”

“Yeah. Someday.”

“Good.”

Together, we watch the sunrise. A new day beginning.

Chapter 51

Clara

RJmirroredmynumberto an ancient flip phone, and now I’m staring at Bryce’s contact info like it’s a portal to a different time.

The guys and I went over the plan so many times. It feels like I’ve already finished the damn thing.

First, we came up with a list of words that I should try to get Bryce to say, but each time we tried it, I sounded more and more like a robot. Frustrated, I tore up the damn thing (Jansen lit the pieces on fire in the sink, destroying the evidence) and opted instead to ask Bryce what he knows and go from there. RJ and Walker are not fans of this plan, but Jansen gets it.

Now, all that’s left is to call Bryce and invite him over.

I set the guys up in my bedroom. We fitted the living room with a bunch of wireless microphones the guys repurposed from the poker room—I’m going to have to ask about that later. Either way, as long as I keep Bryce near the couch, we should be good. Just in case, I have a small body microphone tucked into my bra, like I’m an undercover agent in a movie instead of a boring old college student.

Sadly, the little mic isn’t the best, so I’d have to get super close to Bryce for it to catch our conversation. I don’t want to get close to Bryce. The room mikes had better be enough.

I hit the call button, not wanting to stew in this anxiety any longer. He can’t hurt me, the guys are here, all I have to do is say “run” in a sentence and they’ll rush in. I take deep breaths, waiting for Bryce to pick up.

The phone clicks on the second before it goes to voicemail. If I didn’t know him, I’d think he was busy. Because I do know him, I know he sat there, watching my name flash on the screen and waited, putting himself in the position of power, throwing me off my game, hoping I’d stumble when switching from “please leave a message” to, well, him.

“Clara. To what do I owe the pleasure?” His voice is honey smooth. I try not to gag.

“Bryce. I need you to come over. Please.” It’s not acting that makes my voice shake. All of me is shaking. I don’t want to do this.

I forced the guys to leave the room before I called. They make me feel too safe; I have to do this alone. Bryce knows all my tells, all my quivers and cries. He’d know if I was pretending.

He inhales sharply. “But Clara, baby, it’s illegal for me to come over. You did that, you know.”

He’s playing with me. I can see him in my mind, already picking up his keys, calling the elevator in the hallway. “Bryce, please. I think you might be right about my roommates—about them being criminals. Please, I don’t know how long they’ll be gone. I need to know what you know. Please.” I beg the way he always liked, knowing it’s his catnip. He’ll be here.

He lets out a humoring sigh, signaling that whatever comes next is hardly worth the breath it takes to form the words. “If you insist. But I’m going to need a guarantee in return—no calling the cops.”

“O-of course not,” I stammer, trying to force out the words he wants to hear from me. “That wasn’t me, not all of it. You know me, Bryce.”

“I do, baby. No one knows you like I do. No one could love you like I do, and I’ll protect you from the villains you live with. I’m on my way.” He hangs up, and I stare at the phone.

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