Page 111 of Gathered Sparkle

“Told you I slipped a badge from an employee at the Heights.”

Nicholas and Koen, in perfect harmony, exclaim, “You didwhat?”

I smirk, tossing the badge back to Nicholas over Nova’s head. “That’s my girl,” I say, and God, the way her smile blooms, as if I’ve handed her the world, makes every damn thing worth it.

My gaze catches the glint of the bracelet on her wrist, which she’s absently toying with.Perfect.

“Next, we’ve got bracelets.” I brush my fingers lightly against her wrist, watching her pulse quicken at her throat as they glide up her arm. “Stealing them isn’t only sleight of hand. It’s about conditioning the mark.”

Nova takes some deep breaths, her eyes locked on my face.

“You touch them a few times, get them comfortable with the sensation. Flirting works best here.” I smile at her while my fingers glide back down, tracing the bracelet. “You’re beautiful today.” She gives me alook, but there is a tint of red on her cheeks. “Once they’re used to it, their brain stops flagging the touch as unusual.” My thumb slides beneath the clasp. “Separate it just enough.” I open it with a soft press. “Then, slide it off.”

Nova’s lips curve. “I want that back, Mr. Pickpocket.”

“Of course.” I grin, holding the bracelet up before slipping it back onto her wrist. “But yeah, watches and bracelets are tricky. You have to hide everything, the steal, the motion, the intent, and the sensation, all at once.”

“Oh, she’s got plenty of practice with watches,” Levi cuts in, his tone dripping with teasing amusement. “Isn’t that right, Little Bird?”

“Is that so?” I tease, the memory of Koen looking utterly slack-jawed when she stole his watch flashing through my mind.

I will forever be grateful that happened because it brought her back to me.

She shrugs with feigned nonchalance. “Maybe.”

As if I didn’t already know. Stealing watches has been her favorite pastime since we were teenagers. Hell, she must have swiped my Rolex a thousand times.

I brush my bare wrist absentmindedly, the familiar weight long gone.

Damn, I miss that golden chunk of a watch.

But I guess they gave it to my father when I ended up in the hospital.

Nicholas holds up his wrist. “Want my watch too?”

“Smartwatch?” Nova crinkles her nose. “No thanks.”

Koen and Sylus chuckle as Nicholas mumbles defensively, “I like to track my fitness stats.”

“All right then.” Levi grins, clearly enjoying the exchange. “What’s your favorite?”

Nova doesn’t hesitate. “Rolex.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head.

“Not a Rolex, but apparently good enough since you swiped it once,” Koen pulls off his vintage Patek Philippe, which is worth more than a fucking Rolex, and tosses it to me.

I put it on Nova’s wrist before I take her hand in mine. “Traditional wristband watches are another level. It’s all about manipulating attention. Broad distractions won’t cut it. You need finesse.”

I slowly trace the edge of the watch. “You split their focus, talk to them, touch them, give them something to fixate on, or—”

“Or…” Nova interrupts, her smirk widening into a playful challenge. “You just skip the fuss and use your thumb.”

“True, but that’s riskier.” I meet her gaze, a grin tugging at my lips. “The mark could look down at any moment.”

“Not if you’re good.” Her voice drops to a teasing lilt. “Or if you’ve got your tits in their face.”

The room erupts with laughter, but my focus stays locked on her, the way her smirk plays at the corners of her lips, daring me.

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