Page 108 of Ruthless Legacy

I spin on my stool again, studying the faces of the people in the room. No one looks familiar. The bar phone rings, and when the bartender answers, he says, “Who? Thea?” I turn in my seat. He arches a brow. “One second.” He hands me the phone. “Like I said, you look like trouble.”

“Yeah.” I answer, swirling my straw in my glass.

“There’s a gentleman wearing a red polka-dot tie and navy suit. His watch. It’s rare, and the watchmaker is very selective about his clientele. You have three hours to get the contact information for the watchmaker. One of our esteemed members would like to buy one for themselves. There’s a car waiting out front for you to take you to your next location.”

I hand the phone back to the bartender. “Where’s the bathroom?”

He points to the back of the bar. I slowly climb to my feet, exaggerating my movements. I catch polka dot’s eye and smile as I make my way towards the bathroom. I don’t need to pee. What I’m looking for is another exit. There’s a small alcove near the restrooms. I step through it and into the side entrance of a restaurant. I can see the guest services counter of a hotel from where I’m standing.

I rarely operate off the cuff like this, but lifting watches was my version of riding a bike with training wheels. The issue is, I watched my target fiddle with his watch three different times in five minutes. He’s neurotic about it and would notice it missing, so I need to replace it with something that has a similar shape and weight.

I return to the bar and watch the rest of the patrons. There’s a guy in the corner, red-faced and leering at his companion. His watch is nowhere near as expensive, but it’s close in shape. Good enough. Now, I have to keep polka dot here until red-faced is ready to leave, so I can make the swap.

I order another water, this time with a cherry. It’s clear so it could be vodka and club soda. He just needs to think I’m drinking. I cross and uncross my legs, making sure polka dot has a good view, then just happen to look over when he’s staring at me.

He smiles, raising his drink, and I do the same. Before shifting my gaze away again. Can’t seem too thirsty about meeting him. Gotta let him come to me. The last time I put out bait to hook a guy in a bar, I snagged a wolf. Good times.

He finally comes over, projecting an air of confidence, like he’s used to women fawning over him. He probably is. Also probably drives an expensive ass car. He’s a flasher. Even if I was single, he wouldn’t be attractive to me.

“Hello beautiful.”

“Hi.” I blush at his compliment.

“What are you doing drinking over here all by yourself?”

“Oh, you know. Trying to unwind after back-to-back flights. I feel like I live in the air, but it gives me a chance to see different cities and places in the world. You know?”

“You’re a flight attendant.”

I sip my water, then ask, “What about you? You’re drinking alone too.”

“Hopefully not anymore.” He chuckles. “Actually, I’m also trying to unwind after a hellish day of meetings.”

“Mmm.” I point to the stool next to me. He slides into it and orders another drink, then holds out his hand. “I’m Lucas.”

“Beth.” I smile, slipping my hand into his. “So tell me about yourself, Lucas. I’m assuming you’re not from around here.”

“Why would you assume that?”

“Hotel bar. I figured you’re a guest here. Or maybe this is the hot spot in this town.” I flap my hand. “I’m on a layover, so I drove up from LA just to see the coast.”

“Oh, yes. Same. Sort of. I’m actually from Seattle.”

“Did you drive down?”

“Oh no. The corporate jet landed at the regional airport.”

“Impressive. I have a friend who works a private airline, and she loves it.” I smile at him. “So what do you do, Lucas?”

I let him talk, boring me with the details, while keeping an eye on red-face. He finally staggers to his feet and heads to the bathroom. I excuse myself a few seconds later, and time it so he’s coming out just as I’m walking to the bathroom. I pretend to trip, grab onto his wrist and slip his watch off.

That was the easy part. Now, I have to get Lucas’ watch and make the swap. The only way that’s gonna happen is by distracting him.

Crap. If I had more time, I’d just find out what room he’s in, then steal it when he falls asleep. I’d need a few more hours to plan that out, but it’d be easier. He’d need to be inebriated enough to mix up the details about what I look like. I also can’t ask him about his watch because that’ll be too obvious when he notices it’s missing.

I go back to the bar and let him order me another drink. “You sure you don’t want another drink?”

I press my hand to his forearm, the way I’ve been doing the entire time he’s been sitting here. Then drag it to his wrist, giving it a little squeeze. “I wish I could, but I’ve had a few already, and I’ve gotta get up early and head back to LA. Since I was shotgun driving up, I have to drive back. I don’t want my coworker saying I didn’t hold up my end of the deal because I was hungover.”

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