Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
SIERRA
I’ve worried all night about the diamonds.
Something is off, and despite Crane trying to ease my worries with his incredible hands and tongue—and other things—it won’t go away.
The nagging feeling that someone has taken the diamonds won’t leave me, and I’m sure I know who did it.
SIERRA: Have you been in my house?
My fingers hover over the send button before I press it, knowing Declan will respond immediately.
He’s been blowing my phone up all night.
Dick.
DECLAN: Just bring the fucking diamonds back.
Hot tears of frustration fill my eyes at his words, and I drop the phone onto the bed.
Crane stirs beside me, one arm moving to my back as he tugs me in close.
“What’s up?”
I can’t tell him it’s the diamonds keeping me up at night, not when we’ve just got engaged.
“Nothing,” I respond, curling up against him as his breathing steadies.
Burying my face into his chest is heavenly. I thought it would feel strange being with Crane after Declan, but it was easy.
Effortless.
The phone lights up again, and my stomach clenches.
It has to be Declan.
There’s no point in me reading his next text—it will be more anger, and I feel powerless right now.
Instead, I close my eyes and try to sleep, which is hard to do when your heart is hammering against your chest.
My dreams are filled with Declan, a permanent snarl on his face.
You don’t need to be Freud to work that one out.
The following morning, Crane declares that he’s taking me to see his mother, and my stomach flips with nerves.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” I ask nervously, pushing my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
Crane gives me that smile—the one that tells me to shut up and kiss him.
I don’t take much convincing.
He holds my face as he kisses me, pulling me in between his legs as my fingers curl into his hair.
“Sierra. Baby.”
“Baby?” I tease, kissing him once more. “I love that.”
Crane’s hands move to my waist as he chuckles against my lips.
“Huh. I bet you do.”
His mouth moves to my neck, and I sigh, knowing we’ll probably end up back in the bedroom before the hour is out.
“My mom will love you. So get your shoes on and let’s roll.”
Crane stands and slaps my ass as I turn away.
He doesn’t seem to have picked up on my anxiety which is good, because I don’t want to explain myself or anything else when it comes to Declan. Crane won’t hesitate to kick his ass, and Declan won’t hesitate to fight back or press charges.
Both of which I don’t want to happen.
Crane gazes at me from the doorway, a boyish grin on his face.
“I can’t wait for you to see my mom. She’s excited too.”
Declan must’ve broken into my house and taken the diamonds.
It’s the only thing I can think of.
“Hey.” Crane frowns, tipping my chin back so he can search my eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing!” I reply brightly; too brightly.
Crane tilts his head, pushing the door closed.
“Nah. I’m not buying it. Your phone was going off all night, and you’re edgy and jumpy. What gives?”
I swallow, my tongue darting over my lips as I try to think of what to say.
But Crane beats me to it.
“It’s him, isn’t it? That prick.”
“It’s okay, we can talk about this later; let’s have a nice day.”
Crane crosses his arms, shaking his head.
“Tell me what he’s said.”
I groan, dragging my hands through my hair as he watches me intently. The vein in his neck is throbbing, and his eyes seem to be darkening by the second.
“It’s the fucking diamonds.” I exhale, shrugging my shoulders with defeat.
Crane's eyes glitter with something unreadable, and he shakes his head.
“Don’t you want to give them back?”
His voice is guarded, but I get why. He probably thinks they have a sentimental meaning to me.
“Crane, I don’t care about the diamonds,” I say with a sigh. “It’s the fact that they’ve disappeared since I came home.”
Crane’s expression changes.
“What? Disappeared how?”
So I tell him.
How I got back and went to find them, but they’d gone. How the box was still here.
“Does Declan have a key?” Crane asks, his eyes scanning the room as he speaks.
“No…” I frown, and Crane lifts his brows expectantly. “But he knows where I keep the spare.”
Crane glares at me, tugging open the door with such force I’m surprised it’s not hanging from its hinges.
“Under the fucking plant pot, Sierra?” he growls, holding up the spare key.
“I prefer it when you call me baby,” I mumble lightly, knowing I’m about to get a lecture.
“Why would you leave a spare key in the most obvious place in the world?” Crane demands, dropping the key to the counter beside him.
He looks so hot when he’s angry, but I don’t dare say that.
“Everyone does it!” I protest, to which he rolls his eyes.
“Exactly. Jesus, I’m surprised you haven’t been robbed before now.”
I glance at the key and sigh.
“Do you think he used it?”
Crane shrugs, his eyes meeting mine.
“It sure looks like it.”
“But why would he take the diamonds and then hound me? It doesn’t make any sense. He’s got enough money to buy bags of diamonds!”
Crane remains silent, his eyes still scanning the room.
“Is anything else out of place?”
“What?”
Crane waves a hand around the room.
“I’m asking you if you’ve noticed anything else out of place or missing.”
I frown, chewing on my lip as I turn to check out the room. The thought of Declan coming in here while I’m away makes me feel nauseous.
“I don’t think so,” I mumble, suddenly exhausted. “Fuck, this is horrible.”
Crane strides toward me, pulling me into his arms as he kisses my head softly.
“If he’s got access to the house, you need to change the locks. He might’ve had a key copied or anything.”
My eyes widen as I stare up at him, but he shakes his head, smiling at me the way only he can.
“Hey, don’t worry. I’m here with you now. We’ll get the locks sorted when we get back, but let’s check everywhere again for the diamonds, yeah?”
I kiss his lips, my palms on his cheeks as I do.
“Thank you,” I murmur, closing my eyes. “But I promise you they’re not here.”
Twenty minutes later, he agrees with me.
“Alright, so we’ll get the locks changed. There’s a possibility that someone else took them, if everyone knows where you left your key.” Crane sighs heavily, and I stare at him.
“Someone else?” I squeak, the colour draining from my face.
“But nothing else is missing, right?” Crane asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He picks up the spare key, putting it back under the plant pot.
“No.”
“Then my money is on that prick. Have you got any flour?” Crane tilts his head toward the kitchen as I nod.
“Yeah, I think so. I love baking, but I never seem to have the time,” I reply, checking through the kitchen cupboards. “Why do you need this?”
Crane takes the unopened bag of flour from me and winks.
“I’m setting a trap. It’s not the best, but it will do.”
Ushering me out of the door, Crane gets to work with the flour; tipping it over the floor lightly before leading it to the kitchen counter where he leaves it hanging over the side.
It looks like I’ve spilled the flour and left, which is an amusing thought.
“Come on then.” Crane steps over the flour, closing the door softly.
“Why have you put the key back?” I ask him as he kisses me.
“Because someone knows it’s there.”