Page 65 of As Thick As Thieves

I stopped, walking the other direction.

Stone: Warmer.

I had no idea how he was watching me, Zavier said there were no cameras inside the house, but now I was worried he’d lied. Stone could hack into them if there were any, so that would explain how he could see me without being here.

Penn: Don’t play games with me, asshole. How are you seeing me?

Instead of answering my question, he kept playing his stupid game.

Stone: Colder.

I let out a huff of annoyance, walking towards the couch and stopping when he messaged again.

Stone: Hot.

My eyes darted around the space, landing on the computer with a frown. I hesitated before walking up to it, noticing a little green light on.

Stone: Such a smart girl.

“Can you hear me?” I asked out loud without taking my eyes off the computer, a message coming through on my phone a moment later.

Stone: Yes.

“How long have you been spying on me?” I demanded, sitting in the chair to glare at the computer. Had he been watching me and the guys this whole time? I almost dropped my phone as it rang, and I stared at it for a moment before hitting answer and holding it to my ear. “You’re going to get in more trouble.”

Stone chuckled, the sound going straight to my traitorous pussy. “Thought you liked walking on the wild side, Princess? Bad boys aren’t your thing anymore?”

“You betrayed me,” I said softly, staring at the computer since I knew he could still see me.

“You’ll get your revenge soon. The Psychos aren’t going to let me walk around untouched after I fucked them over,” he answered, not seeming bothered by the fact he had a target on his back. Frustrated tears burned my eyes but didn’t fall, and his voice softened. “Are you crying?”

“It’s all my fault. If I’d just left you alone—”

“Don’t fucking blame yourself,” he bit out, and I swiped at my eyes when I felt a tear finally run down my cheek. “Penn, that was all on me. I never should’ve tricked you like that, I almost got you killed.”

“But I—”

“You’re not to blame for anything,” he promised. I’d never heard his voice so gentle before, and I couldn’t help but clutch the phone a little tighter.

“I don’t want you to die because of me, Stone.”

“I’m sorry about all of it,” he said instead, hesitating before continuing. “How’s your back?”

It was strange talking to him so casually, but part of me loved being able to. “Healing.”

“Don’t overwork yourself at the gym. Yesterday’s session was too much for you,” he warned, surprising me a little.

“You were spying on me at the gym too?”

“I’m always spying on you,” he chuckled, but it sounded hollow. “I feel better knowing I can keep an eye on you. I can’t figure out who shot up the track the other week, so you need to only trust the guys.”

“What made you change your mind?” I asked.

“I was wrong. You’re not using my boys, and you’re not the crazy chick your father made you out to be. I believed him out of convenience, but I shouldn’t have. Meet up with me.”

“The last time I went off alone with you, you handed me over to my father,” I said dryly.

“I know you won’t, but you can trust me this time. I had no idea how bad it was for you when I handed you over, or I wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Shit, Penn. I could’ve gotten you raped and killed.”

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