For My Next Trick...

Chapter 5

C hapter F ive

Rule number one in magic was that people didn’t really see what they didn’t expect to see, so a little misdirection went a long way.

“Okay. So, what we have is an alternate way out of this space.” Nathaniel went over to the display case. “Our thief managed to get Carolyn’s jewelry off her, probably while she was browsing. It would be easy because her attention was focused on the bling instead of on herself. With the bracelet and necklace off her body, what do you do with them? The first thing is palm them and slip them into a pocket.” He smiled at them. They were clearly following his logic. “That’s not hard to do, especially since you said that the camera feed had been interrupted. The only one able to see into the store is the one in the hall, and let me guess, the sales associate is over six feet and handsome.”

“Yes,” Randy confirmed. “How did you know?”

“Because he’s a shield. Without knowing it, he ran interference for our thief. As he showed Carolyn what she was interested in, our thief had already sized her up and was waiting. Then once he was putting things away, right in the line of sight, they slipped off the pieces, palmed them, and were gone. I bet the sales associate continued talking, because that’s what they do: build good will in case she comes back. That also helped keep her attention focused on him, even when he was looking elsewhere. And by then, our thief was on the other side of the store, right over there.” He went over to the closet.

“Okay,” Randy said. “I might buy that given what we saw, but what does that get anyone?” He was getting a little testy, but Nathaniel could see the movements through the space as clearly as if they were happening in front of him.

“It got them out of the room. Imagine if this person was dressed in the same silver as one of the other sales associates. Do you think anyone is going to recognize them or pay attention to them? So they get the jewelry and need to get out of here. So they either have a key already or they pick the lock.”

“Please. It would take….” Randy began, stopping when Nathaniel opened the supposedly relocked door. “Jesus.”

“It’s a cheap lock.” Nathaniel turned to Lars. “I’d suggest that you replace all these locks as quickly as possible. Get biometric scanners or something like that. It would be harder to crack. Now, I step in here….” Nathaniel closed the door without making a sound, took a step, and opened the door on the other side, into the clothing store next door. He closed the door and stood at the closed gate, smiling at another passenger as she passed. “Could you tell them I’m in here? Thanks.”

He heard the other door lift, and then they appeared outside the closed shop. Lars unlocked the gate and lifted it. “How did you get in here?”

“Secret passage. That closet is used by both shops. So it was an easy way to get out.” He grinned. “I’d say you are looking for someone dressed as crew, probably in one of those silver outfits the shop assistants wear. If it’s a man, then as soon as they got ready to leave, they probably took off the jacket and loosened their shirt to look more like a passenger. Then all they needed to do was blend into the flow of shoppers, and they’d be gone.”

“Thank you. I’m going to check the video footage again to see what I can find,” Lars said, already heading off after locking up the shops once more.

“And what are you going to do?” Nathaniel asked Randy, who took his hand. “I see. Is there anywhere special you want to take me? Is this one of those ‘your cabin or mine’ sort of moments?”

Randy tugged him to the elevators, and they went down a deck. Finally, he led him through a passageway to the back of the ship before unlocking the cabin door.

“You know, you don’t need to thank me like this,” Nathaniel quipped to cover his curiosity.

He pulled Nathaniel inside and then closed the door. “Okay. You are going to tell me how you know all this. It’s way too specific for just being a magician.” He turned on him, growling harshly. “And don’t try to tell me it’s part of your job. I’ve seen lots of magic acts, and none of them end up with me almost losing my damned pants. So you are going to tell me how you know so much about picking locks and pockets and stealing whatever the hell isn’t nailed down.” His eyes blazed, and for a second, Nathaniel wondered if Randy was going to hurt him, but then he discounted the notion. He was way too much a law-and-order kind of guy for that to happen.

“I helped you, and you give me grief for it—what kind of guy are you?” The best defense was a good offense, and he wasn’t ready to give up his secrets… not yet, anyway. “I’m a magician, and I’m very good at misdirection. It worked with you, and you’re a trained police officer, so why wouldn’t it work on the average person? Carolyn was just shopping, and what happened to her is terrible. But I didn’t have anything to do with it, as I’m sure you’re aware. I was probably down taking care of things after the show because, unlike the passengers, I have things to do once I’ve been on stage.” He cocked his eyebrows, and the slight sag in Randy’s shoulders told him he was right. “So if you want my help again, I’d say just ask and don’t be a dick about it.” He scooted around Randy for the cabin door. “And just for the record, I really like dick, just not guys who are acting like one.” He pulled open the door and stepped out, closing it after himself.

Nathaniel strode down the hallway, breathing a sigh of relief to have gotten away. He hadn’t had anything to do with this theft, but Randy sure made him feel guilty about it. Figuring out what had happened wasn’t all that hard, and he had given Randy and the security guy somewhere to look for more information.

“Wait.”

Nathaniel stopped as Randy hurried up the passageway behind him. “Why should I?” Nathaniel asked. “I gave you what you wanted, and I think I’ve taken quite enough abuse from you for one day.”

“I’m doing my job and what I’ve been trained for. Question everything—it’s what I have to do.” He drew closer, the air in the corridor growing warmer and seeming to still, filling with Randy’s spicy cologne and something much richer underneath.

“That’s fine. But I don’t remember going after the innocent as part of the job. Or is that something the cop shows get wrong?” He visually dared Randy to counter him. “What is it you want now, Officer Randy?” This game of cat and mouse was going to come to an end, because Nathaniel was not going to be anyone’s mouse ever again. That sort of thing had ended some time ago.

“I probably came on way too strong, but it’s hard for me to get past the fact that you demonstrated all the skills needed to pull this off right on stage and then explained to us how it was done after less than five minutes.” He drew even nearer. “There’s a hell of a lot more going on here than you’re telling me. And I want to know what it is.” His eyes blazed with curiosity and a much more. “I have plenty of time to try to find out. Maybe I could run a background check on you.”

Nathaniel rolled his eyes because he knew exactly what Randy would find. Absolutely nothing at all. Well, maybe his awful high school prom pictures. “Go ahead.”

Randy shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. I think I want you to tell me. I want you to know that you can trust me to do what’s right.”

He swallowed hard as Randy pressed him against the wall of the passageway, a hand on either side of his head. “And how are you going to do that? You think you can take me to bed, and after a night of mind-blowing passion, I’m going to spill my secrets as to how I keep managing to get you in handcuffs?”

“Oh no. I think you’ll learn to trust me. The mind-blowing sex part is just the icing on the cake.”

“So I’m a cake now?” Nathaniel quipped, because damn it all, he needed a chance to think. His entire body was on fire, and Randy had him so excited, his hands shook slightly. It would be so tempting to simply put his arms around Randy’s neck and pull him in so he could taste those incredible lips.

“Stop deflecting. You know exactly what I mean.” Randy drew even closer, and Nathaniel knew he didn’t have long to make up his mind. He was moments away from slipping out from under Randy when their lips touched. Just as Nathaniel’s will began to melt, Randy deepened the kiss, stealing his breath away.

It had been quite some time since Nathaniel had been with anyone, and he couldn’t remember ever being with anyone as totally hot as Randy, or someone he wanted so badly. Sweat broke out all over as he returned Randy’s kiss with one of his own, adding to the heat that built. When Randy pulled back, Nathaniel heaved for air and blinked like he was trying to see through the fog. But it was all in his mind.

Randy drew him close once more, their chests pressed together, strong arms around his back. He kissed him again, drawing him back the way they had come.

It took Randy only a second to use his card to open the cabin door, and then they were inside. It shut on its own with a thunk , which Nathaniel barely heard over the beating of his own heart. “Do you really think this is a good idea?” Nathaniel asked as he stood in the cabin with a single low light shining near the bed.

“Oh, I think this is the best idea I have ever had.” Randy unbuttoned his shirt, and Nathaniel closed the distance between them, placing his hands on Randy’s hot skin, tracing the defined muscled as they rippled under his fingers. He ran his fingers down the ridges of Randy’s belly, because, holy hell, he was sexy. “Do you want to steal my belt again?” Randy asked, and this time his voice was rougher.

Nathaniel lifted his hand, the belt dangling from his fingers. “Like that?” He smiled. “Now let’s see just how close your pants came to tumbling down on stage and exactly what you had on under them.” Nathaniel took a step back, watched as Randy’s loose shorts sank down his hips. As he waited, he tugged off his shirt. When the shorts failed to fall after he tossed his shirt aside, he tugged them down. “Damn. I love a man brave enough to go commando.” He let the shorts sink to Randy’s ankles, enjoying the amazingly hot view. Randy, naked, was worthy of a work of art.

Nathaniel wasn’t shy. No way in hell. He slid his fingers around Randy’s thick cock, gently caressing it. Randy hissed and tossed his head back with a deep groan that Nathaniel felt to his toes. Nathaniel managed to get his shoes off, and Randy fumbled with Nathaniel’s own belt, but got it open and his pants undone. There was nothing elegant in how Randy shoved his pants down or how he got them off his feet, but they were both naked now, and Randy pulled him close as Nathaniel let his hand slip down Randy’s chest, Randy’s hands splayed on his back and made their way down, cupping Nathaniel’s butt cheeks in his strong fingers.

He kissed Nathaniel hard, filling the room with warmth and passion that made it feel even smaller, like the world was contracting around them, leaving everything else behind. Nathaniel had no idea what to make of it, and at the moment, he didn’t really care. He could figure all that out later. Right now, he pressed Randy toward the bed, and they tumbled together, with Randy tugging him on top. They bounced once, and Nathaniel came to a stop, looking down into Randy’s blue eyes.

“Fuck…,” Randy drew out.

“Maybe in a little bit,” Nathaniel told him before kissing away further words. He wanted Randy speechless, and that part of his plan seemed to be working. Though Randy did do a lot of talking with his hands, and those fingers seemed to have a lot to say to Nathaniel’s ass. Not that he minded in the least. Randy’s touch only added to the excitement.

Nathaniel drew himself up, straddling Randy, rocking his hips back and forth so his ass slid across Randy’s cock. Then he slid forward, and Randy cupped his ass, holding him up, bringing Nathaniel forward before sucking Nathaniel’s cock between his full lips.

Now it was his turn to throw his head back as Randy sucked him hard, taking all of him into the amazing wet heat of his mouth. One thing was for sure: Randy knew how to suck cock, and he seemed to revel in it, taking all Nathaniel had to offer. He actually whined as Randy took him hard, his lips clamping around him, holding him fast until Nathaniel’s head began to spin. “Jesus…,” Nathaniel moaned softly before Randy bobbed his head, sliding along him. It was almost too much, and Nathaniel held Randy’s head, sliding back and forth because, damn, this felt too damned good to end. But Nathaniel had to pull away or else it was going to be over.

Randy heaved for air, and Nathaniel bent down, kissing Randy, who thrusted him upward before rolling them on the bed, and just like that, Randy pressed him into the mattress, his delicious weight and warmth fueling his desire even more.

“You are something else,” Randy told him.

“Me? You’re the one who nearly sucked my brains out. Jesus…,” Nathaniel told him. “What are you trying to do to me?”

“I’m trying to make you stop talking.” Randy shook his head. “But maybe there’s a better way.” He moved upward, and Nathaniel took hold of his cock, guiding it to his waiting lips, sucking Randy deep.

He tasted like heaven, and the sounds Randy made only spurred him on. Long groans of passion were drawn from him time and time again whenever Nathaniel slid his lips to the base before pulling away. It didn’t take long before Randy’s movements grew more ragged, and Nathaniel knew things were reaching their conclusion. Randy pulled back, but Nathaniel took him deep once more, holding him by his muscular ass until he tumbled into an intense release that Nathaniel swallowed before slowly pulling away.

“Fuck…,” Randy swore.

“Maybe later,” Nathaniel said, reaching for a tissue. Things had gotten so heated that he came within seconds of Randy and now needed to clean himself up a little.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Randy said as he settled next to him, tugging Nathaniel into his arms. “I still think you have a lot of explaining to do. There’s a story you haven’t told me, and I hope that you will… eventually.”

Nathaniel lay quietly, listening as Randy’s breathing evened out. He thought of leaving, but he was so comfortable, and it was late. He closed his eyes, figuring that whatever the consequences were for their tryst, he’d deal with them in the morning.

Nathaniel woke alone. The other side of the bed was cold, the room completely dark, and for a second, he wondered where he was. Randy’s cabin. He fished around beside the bed before finding the lamp and turning it on, blinking at the light. Now able to see, he got out of the bed and found his pants with his phone to check the time. It was nearly one, and where was Randy? Great. Maybe he should just get dressed and leave, considering that Randy was gone somewhere.

The door clicked and then opened as Randy came back into the cabin. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Where did you go?” he asked.

“Lars messaged me that he thought he might have spotted our thief on the feed, coming from the store next door. They made one mistake in that they may have disabled the camera in the jewelry store, but not the clothing store next door.” He sat down at the end of the bed and tugged Nathaniel into his arms. “Damn, you look sexy like this, naked and a little embarrassed.” He stroked his hand over Nathaniel’s backside.

“That’s good. How did he figure it out?” Nathaniel asked.

“Someone dressed as crew comes out from where the closet is. They kept their head down, so we don’t see their face. But….” He cleared his throat. Nathaniel waited for Randy to continue. “I believe the thief is a woman.”

Nathaniel closed his eyes and groaned slightly.

“You don’t seem surprised.” Randy tensed, and Nathaniel did the same, thinking quickly.

Maybe it was best to own up to at least part of it. “I’m not. Think about it. Women get ignored a lot of the time. They pass by us, and as men, we don’t notice unless they’re really attractive. So what better way to blend in and get away with robbery? And you should know as well as anyone that there is no such thing as a perfect crime. Well… unless you’re the people who robbed the Elizabeth Stewart Gardener museum, though the police bungled that as much as the thieves were pretty brilliant.”

“True. But we have our first port tomorrow and then anyone can disembark… our thief most likely right along with them.” Randy sounded down.

“Not necessarily. What we can do is make it so that there is only one way off. You need to have extra security, and just like putting everyone through security to get on, do the same when they get off. Literally scan every bag and towel. Word will be all over the ship by tomorrow that there was a robbery, so simply use that as an excuse. If the thief does try to get off, you catch her. And if they don’t, you buy some time.” He nestled into Randy’s arms, thinking to himself.

“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll suggest it to Lars. This sort of change in procedure is going to need the captain’s approval, but I believe we can make it happen.” Randy held him closer. “I have to admit that I thought you were the thief.”

Nathaniel patted Randy’s chest. “I know that. You were sure as all hell that it was me.” Not that Nathaniel hadn’t given him reason not to. “But you know it couldn’t have been.”

Randy nodded and kissed him. “Still, on the video feed, there was someone who looked an awful lot like you. Same build, same height. I wasn’t able to get a close look, but I thought for sure….”

Nathaniel closed his eyes tightly and willed that piece of information away. Shit and hell. He tried to act normally and breathe as evenly as he could.

“As you know, I wasn’t even up there.” That was for damned sure. But that one single piece of information told him exactly who was behind all this, and it sure as hell put him between a rock and a hard place. There was nothing he could do about it now, but he certainly intended to figure it out. And he needed to do that without Randy or anyone else finding out.

“Yeah, I do. But I’m glad you’re here now,” Randy whispered, and pressed Nathaniel back on the bed. Then he reached over and turned out the light.

“Don’t you want to see what you’re doing?”

Randy chuckled wickedly. “I’d much rather feel my way along.” He slid his hands down Nathaniel’s sides and then over his chest before sliding down his belly to tug at his cock with long, slow strokes that made Nathaniel’s breath hitch. Then he did it again and again, making Nathaniel throb with need, thrusting his hips forward, but Randy seemed intent on taking his time.

Lars sat at his desk the following morning with Randy and him standing behind. “Stop right there,” Nathaniel said.

“That’s what I wanted you both to see,” Lars told them as he turned around. “I think that’s our thief. But I can’t find her among the passengers or the crew. So as close as I can get, she’s a stowaway.”

“Then get security to check every single empty passenger cabin on the ship, especially those down below that are being used by the long-term passengers for storage,” Nathaniel offered. “You should also check every crew cabin to make sure that someone didn’t pick up a roommate that no one else knows about. They have to be staying somewhere.”

“Okay. I’ll do that. Also, the captain gave the okay to run everything coming off the ship through security. We won’t be taking on supplies, so there will be just the one gangway. The team is working out how the passengers will flow through the ship as they disembark.”

Nathaniel looked closely at the image on the screen, and he suppressed a sigh at the glimpse of a familiar face. “Is there anything more you need from me?”

“No.” Randy continued looking at the screens as Nathaniel left the office, heading up two decks to his cabin. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

“Michele, you stupid bitch. What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, staring into the blue eyes of the person everyone was after.

“Is that any way to talk to your sister?” she countered with a sly smile.

“It is when you put me and my life in jeopardy. What the hell do you think you’re doing? Sneaking onto a ship that I’m working on.” He was livid but not surprised.

“What better way to make sure I have backup?” She turned to the mirror as if checking out her makeup. But he knew she was making sure her attempts to disguise herself were still in place. The padding around her shoulders and belly altered her silhouette, and her dark wig was completely different from what he’d seen on the security camera.

Nathaniel was livid. “I left that life behind some time ago, and you know it. How dare you bring it back to my doorstep or come here when the heat is on.” He stalked over to her. “I ought to turn you in to security right now.” He pulled out his cell phone.

“You going to call the hot cop?” she snapped. Michele was always kind of nasty when she didn’t get her own way.

“I’m thinking about it,” he hissed. “You need to get the hell off this ship. The security officer has a picture of you as clear as day, and it’s going to be distributed to every crew member on the ship. They’re also searching every single space on the ship, so wherever you’ve been holing up is gone.”

“Then I’ll leave the ship today,” Michele said.

“Good. But they’re running security on everyone leaving the ship because of your little heist. So get the hell off, and for God’s sake, leave whatever you stole.” He stalked closer to her as she flipped her hair, a sure sign that she was ignoring him. “No. You leave everything,” he snapped. “I won’t hesitate to throw you under the bus if anything else is taken or if I see you again. Do you understand me?” God, he hated his family sometimes. They all thought they were the center of the damned universe, and anything they wanted, they felt it was okay to take. Their self-centeredness knew no bounds.

“But….” She pouted.

“I don’t care. You get your ass of this ship, and you leave behind what you took. If that happens, then most likely, everyone is going to let this slide, and you can go back to fleecing little old ladies of their retirement savings or whatever scams Dad has you running right now.” He put up his hands. “I do not want to know, and I don’t care. But you get a message to all of them that if I see any of the family—ever—I will make that phone call.” He wanted them the hell out of his life forever.

He tugged her to her feet and opened the cabin door. Michele lifted the bag she had behind her feet, and Nathaniel snatched it out of her hand. He let the door close again and dumped the contents on the bed, rummaging through everything. Sure enough, the necklace and bracelet were in a bag in the bottom, along with a couple of very expensive watches and a diamond ring with a huge center stone. Using the sheet to scoop them up, he put them all back in the cloth bag.

“Hey…,” she said as she lunged for it.

Nathaniel opened the safe in the cupboard next to the desk, put the pieces inside, and then closed it, entering a number combination. “Consider them gone. You get your ass off this ship, and do it now.” He tossed her a hat and a pair of sunglasses as he shoved the rest of her shit into her bag. “Get out, and remember what I said, because all I have to do is give them a name, and you’re toast.” Well, it wasn’t quite that easy, but there was no reason that she needed to know everything.

Michele shook her head and checked herself in the mirror before leaving the cabin.

Nathaniel let the door close and went to the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face as he tried to figure out how to return what he had in his damned safe without being seen by any of the cameras. Stealing something took planning, but giving the shit back took even more. And if he messed it up, then Randy was going to think he was involved in the theft in the first place.