Page 4 of Steal

I raise my brow with disbelief, expecting him to saypsych, but all he does is tilt his head, his eyes staring at me like he’s staring into my soul.

Crap, he means it.

I give the man a tight smile, causing him to narrow his eyes as I state, "As honored as I am that you want to take me out, I uh, um, have to decline." I take a step back and admit, "Don't take this wrong way, but you have player written all over you, and with whose room I saw you walk out of this morning, I don’t think you can argue my conclusion."

His brows hit his dark hairline, but I ignore his shocked reaction and give him a slight wave before leaving him sitting there.

As hot as he is, I don't fancy an STI.

"Thanks for coming in on short notice, Cass," Mr. Hellen says loudly as I grab my coat and smile at the elderly man.

One of the other workers, whom I haven't met yet because we're always on different shifts, was a no-show, and Mr. Hellen called after I'd finished my last class to ask if I'd cover half the night shift.

It's nearly one in the morning, and I'm dog-tired. I still need to finish my papers, and I have a class at eight in the morning, but I can't complain because he's paid me double.

I give Mr. Hellen a wave and leave the store before I tilt my head up and blow out a breath into the cold air, my eyes taking in the lights that fill the night sky, covering the stars in Brooklyn.

I've lived my whole life in New York and have never seen the stars. I could travel to the Hamptons, but that would cost money I don't have.

Sighing, I wrap my coat around me and head to my Nissan Versa, which my dad bought me for my sixteenth birthday. I dig into my bag for my keys, but as I get close, I feel eyes on me and look up. I jump back at the figure leaning against my car.

My heart races as I fist my hands, ready to fight, when the figure pushes up and walks into the light.

I sigh in relief when I see it's the guy from this morning.

I know I should technically have my guard up, but something deep down inside tells me he won't hurt me, which makes me an absolute idiot considering it’s the middle of the night and I’m alone with a stranger.

"You know, this has could be consider stalkerish," I huff, placing my fisted hands on my hips.

The man smirks. "Not really, especially if your dad told me you worked here and got called in."

What the heck, Dad?

I try to be unaffected and tilt my head. "I'm guessing you use my dad's gym?"

He shrugs. "Sometimes, but that's not how I know your dad." I raise a brow, and he stops just shy of his chest, touching mine, causing me to tilt my head upward to lock eyes with him. He grins. "Your dad and mine went to school together. They're good friends."

I furrow my brows and mutter, "There's only one man my dad is good friends in an MC, and that's Hammer."

He smirks and nods in confirmation. Huh.

"So, you're Colt Brody, then, his son?" I confirm.

He grins. "That, Trouble, I am, though the brothers call me Steal."

"Trouble?" I question, trying to ignore the way it came out breathy.

This man is, well, he's all man….

"You seem like you're trouble, and if what your dad has said over the years is true, the name suits you."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, so I crashed the car, but that doesn't mean I deserve the name trouble."

Colt laughs and retorts, "Five times, you crashed his carfive times." I wince. "And besides, I got my road name by stealing my dad's bike and crashing it."

I snort, remembering Hammer telling my dad that story. My dad actually side-eyed me, hoping I wouldn't get the idea to do the same after he banned me from driving his cars. It's why his Mustang will become Perrie's when she's older, and even though my little sister is only fourteen, she can drive much better than me.

Colt gently brings his hand up and tucks my hair behind my ear, making me suck in a breath before he whispers, "All I'm asking for is a drink, that's it, and if you don't have a good time, if you think we don't have this crazy connection I’ve feeling since we locked eyes this morning, then I'll leave you be. All I'm asking for is one chance, and the fact that your dad told me where you would be should tell you how much he trusts me with his daughter."

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