Page 17 of Princess of Thieves

Rosa’s chin quivers. “This is Mr. Guy’s office,” she says. “He said you’re not supposed to be in here.”

“I know, but I—” I can’t come up with a lie quick enough, and I still feel like the truth is justified, so I go for it. “I just needed some documents,” I say. “I can’t leave here without them, because no one will know who I am or believe me. I’m not stealing or doing anything wrong. I promise. I promise. I wasn’t doing anything else.”

Rosa pauses.

“Documents?” she echoes.

“Yes,” I say, nodding eagerly. “My birth certificate. Things like that. I’m just trying to start my life over, that’s all. Really, that’s all.”

The fear in Rosa’s eyes softens to recognition, and something like sadness.

“I know,” she says. “I understand.”

I swallow hard. Decide to press my luck and ask point-blank.

“You won’t tell Guy?”

She shakes her head softly. “I see nothing. I am just in here vacuuming.” She shrugs, a wry little smile twisting her lips, and I smile too. With that, she pops an earbud back in, plugs in the vacuum, and any further conversation is drowned out by the roar of suction on the carpet. I press my palms together and give a little bow in my mime of thanks, and slip out.

Guy’s given me a lot—shelter, food, clothing—but something about Rosa’s simple refusal to narc me out feels like the much greater gift.

The office door closes behind me, and the lock clicks into place. I make myself a promise: If I can get out of here and get my own life going again, I’m gonna help her do the same.

“I’M AFRAID I’VE KEPTsomething from you, Maren.”

My head jerks up from the plate of salmon and rice pilaf that I’m eating, once again, in the massive dining room. “Oh?”

I changed into a white sundress for dinner since it only seemed appropriate. I still don’t think I was doing anything wrong by using Guy’s computer, but the less he suspects me, the better. And somehow, I think the prettier I look, the less he’ll think anything is going on.

He smiles, and my heart pounds. His fiancée. He is engaged. He’s going to admit it, apologize, kick me out on the streetbecause she’s coming back from her girls’ week in Nashville and wouldn’t like me living here.

“I’m hosting a fundraiser this Friday, and I’d like you to be there.”

I do my best to act surprised—because I am, only not for the reason he thinks. I must fail miserably, though, because Guy only smiles at me.

“Aren’t you going to ask what I’m raising fundsfor?” he asks mildly.

“Oh, uh...” I blink a few times. “What for?”

Satisfied, he smiles. “I have something of a career change in mind. When District Attorney Ryan retires, I plan to run for his seat.”

“Oh,” I say again.

Guy frowns gently. “You don’t look too stunned to hear the news.”

My heart seizes. Does he know I was in his office? But no, I trust Rosa. I don’t think she has any reason to rat me out.

“You’re an ambitious type,” I reply. “So no, can’t say I’m shocked.”

But what about your fiancée?I scream internally.Where is she?

What did you do with her?

“No? Well, I’m glad to hear that.” He laughs a little to himself. “To be clear, I’d like to invite you as a guest, not a donor. No checkbook required. It’ll be held here, too, so it’s not like you have to go far, and I assume you’ll be able to find something in that wardrobe that’s suitable. I made sure there was a range of occasions available since you were starting from scratch.”

I dab at my mouth with my napkin. “No doubt,” I say.

“I must say,” Guy goes on, “that dress really suits you. You look so much healthier than you did when you first arrived here.”

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