Page 47 of Take the Sub and Run

“Painting is not a crime.” Tired of wearing the heels, she slipped out of them, toes wiggling happily on the warm wood floor. “Even attempting to recreate a masterpiece is not a crime. It’s how art is taught in many schools.”

“And the fact that you're friends with a world-class thief?”

“What is it you said Colette says? Allegedly?”

“And that your friend the thief was eyeing a pearl necklace, and you just happen to have jewelry-making supplies?” He gestured back to where the soldering iron rested in its spiral mount, and small pieces of precious metals were laid out on a soft leather mat.

“I’m an artist, but not confined to one medium.” She gestured at her dress. “I made this too. My sewing studio is upstairs. Does that make me a forger?”

Andrei stalked toward her, a slow, focused prowl. Sofie held her ground until he was an arm's-length away, and then her instincts took over and she backed up. He backed her all the way up to the wall, slapping his hands on either side of her shoulders to cage her in.

Andrei leaned in close, and some stupid, romantic part of her thought maybe he was going to kiss her. She stared at his lower lip, aching with the need to be kissed.

“I wish you weren’t such a liar, Sofie.”

Her gaze jerked up to his, and there was hunger and regret in his eyes.

“If I’d told you the truth?”

He caught of piece of her hair, sliding his fingers along it. “Maybe I would have taken you. Maybe the chance to touch an innocent angel would have been too tempting.”

Touch me, touch me, touch me.

His gaze hardened as his jaw clenched. “But my soul is not that black. Not yet.”

He pushed away from the wall and backed up.

Sofie stayed where she was, mouth parted, breathing deep but too fast.

“Goodbye, Angel.”

Andrei raked her with one last look before quietly opening the door and slipping out of her life.

Andrei leaned against the driver’s door of the rental car, which now sported a large scratch. He both was and wasn’t surprised to find out that Sofie was a criminal like her friend.

He’d known she was at the museum for nefarious reasons. He’d thought perhaps she was new to the game. Colette’s apprentice. She’d clearly be inexperienced, given that she hadn’t blended in well at all.

If only he’d stopped to ask exactly how inexperienced she was.

Once he got back to Club Alibi, he was going to ask Colette what the fuck she’d been thinking bringing her forger with her on a job.

But first…

Andrei brought up a translation app, and letter by letter typed in the message he’d memorized from her large monitor.

* * *

Sofie,

You disappointment me. You know it isn’t safe for you to leave your studio. I expected better. There will be consequences.

- Father

* * *

Andrei’s jaw clenched. This was none of his business. He needed to leave it alone.

But as he got into his car, a stone of worry formed in his gut.

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