Page 66 of Tempting Little Thief

“Counted out the cash.”

“And?”

“Two hundred in counterfeit bills.”

My face falls, anger swimming in my gut as face after face flashes in my mind until I land on one. “What a brave little bitch, rats on one dude to try and cover his own ass,” I mutter. “No wonder you’re fired up.”

“Love making little boys bleed.”

I scoff and start walking again. “That sounds fucked up.”

“Nah.” He grins, dropping back on his sleeping bag. “Fucked up would be cutting off his dick and feeding it to him.”

A chuckle leaves me, and I shake my head. “Find him. Call me when you do.”

“You got it, boss.”

Boss.

I like the sound of that …

Chapter 12

Rocklin

There’s a soft knock on my door, and then it’s opened, and before Saylor can issue a warning with her wide eyes, my dad strides in.

Bronx slams her laptop shut, and Delta throws the pillow in her lap over the papers just as I drop onto my side over the stack.

“Dad. Hi. You didn’t tell me you were stopping by.”

His eyes narrow, his gaze slicing from one of us to the next, settling on me. “Daughter …” He trails off. “What are we up to this evening?”

“Studying.”

“Working.”

“Planning.”

We all answer at the same time, but thankfully, all responses are cohesive enough to be convincing.

“Uh-huh.” His lips pinch and he looks to Bronx. “Your father is still joining us for dinner tomorrow, I hope?”

“He is,” she confirms.

My dad nods and then it’s Delta’s turn. “Your grandfather said your mother has finally taken the hint?”

“No contact for a few months now.” Delta places a hand over her heart, sighing dramatically. “It’s bliss.”

My dad’s lip twitches. “I know the feeling.”

I frown but erase it as his attention returns to me.

“I wanted you girls to see this first.” He passes the folded paper from beneath his arm.

Accepting it, I unfold the simple sheet of printer paper, and the girls lean toward me, the three of us reading the print in silence.

Breaking News: Jacobi Randolph arrested after his brand-new, six-million-dollar building burned to the ground just five months after its opening. Randolph allegedly filed a claim with the insurance company early Wednesday morning, but officials have now stepped in. Sources said during a routine search of Randolph’s vehicle, the county sheriff seized a suit jacket suspected to be the same one Randolph was photographed wearing the night of the fire and is believed to have traces of kerosene. Now, authorities say they will be looking into the overnight success of Randolph’s financial firm as they suspect foul play …

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