Page 35 of The Kat Bunglar

She jogged off to find a chair while Kat disappeared into the bedroom, rummaging through Laila Malik’s ridiculous walk-in closet. She almost cried at the sight of a LaQuan Smith gown crumpled in the corner.

Laila Malik was an absolute savage for disrespecting LaQuan like this? Kat grabbed a handful of belts, ties, and scarves, hoping they would be enough. But a question nagged at her.

Why was he so obsessed with Laila?

Unless...No. Laila Malik was way too much of a goody two-shoes to have a side piece.

She returned to the living room to find Christian struggling to lift Gabriel into the chair.

“Shit,” Christian panted. “This dude is heavy.”

Kat took his other side, and with considerable effort, they hoisted him up.

As they fastened him to the chair, Kat muttered, “Wow, he smells good.”

Christian shot her a glare. “Focus, Kat! Tie his feet—I’ll do the arms.”

Gabriel groaned.

Kat’s hands trembled, but she tightened the last knot.

“Kat, we’ve got an hour.” Christian dusted off her hands. “You suss out the cameras. I’ll grab jewelry, bags, all the small stuff.” She disappeared into the bedroom.

Kat tried to calm herself. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. She hugged herself tightly, counting to ten. You can do this.

She opened her eyes—and met Gabriel’s glare.

She jumped.

“Hello,” he rasped, his voice groggy.

“...Hello.”

Why did she say that?

His golden-brown eyes and perfectly arched eyebrows had hypnotized her. Did he get them threaded?

She turned quickly, facing away from him. The mask was decorative, not burglar-proof.

Gabriel’s voice cut through the silence. “What are you doing?”

“Working on my cardio.” Her words dripped sarcasm.

“Cute.” His voice was dry. “You’re a kid, right? Mid-twenties. Trying to be a dancer or something.”

She ignored him. Two cameras disabled. Not bad.

As she began collecting statues and knick-knacks, his voice softened. “Why don’t you untie me?” he said, quieter this time. “I can give you what you’re looking for. Laila is a good person. If she can help you, she will.”

Kat froze.

He was straining against the restraints now.

“I don’t think you’re a bad person,” he added. “I think you’re in a bad position. Let us help you.”

Kat swallowed hard. Why am I talking to him? She didn’t want to think of Laila Malik as an actual person. Maybe it wasn’t too late to turn this around—

““Alright, Kat!” Christian sashayed back into the room, rolling a large suitcase behind her. “We’re good. Stash is loaded.”

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