Chapter 6
REAPER
Something’s wrong. I know it the second I wake up and snap open my eyes.
Thick, grey stone walls, enormous windows partly boarded, and dim lighting.
I’m still in the abandoned church, sprawled on the floor behind the altar, mostly dressed but freezing. Because the warm body next to me is gone.
“Fuck.”
I jump up, my heart pounding in my ears, and frantically search the area, my gaze darting from corner to corner but coming up empty. There’s no sign of her or her stuff.
She’s gone.
And she still has the files.
My body moves before my brain can catch up. I zip my pants, snatch up my jacket, and follow the footsteps across the dusty floor. Footsteps that didn’t come from our brief fight yesterday. Footsteps that are fresh and lead straight to the doors.
I push them open and run outside.
Bright daylight hits my eyes. It’s cloudy as fuck but still too damn bright after the dimness of the church.
How late is it? How long was I out? I haven’t slept so deep and peacefully since . . .
Shit, I don’t even remember.
It wasn’t part of the plan to fuck the little thief in an abandoned old church and fall asleep with her in my arms. Nothing like that has ever happened before.
My target is usually the only thing on my mind—there’s no place for anything or anyone else.
I’m completely focused. Completely in control. It’s always been this way.
But I fucked up royally this time.
And the worst part? I don’t even regret it.
The chill wind tears at me, and the air smells like rain. The ground is dry, though, so I can follow her footsteps through the grass toward the street—but all trace of her ends there.
I take a quick look around. Green hills and a winding road, some houses in the distance, but no people. No cars. No sign of her.
Did she take a left turn or a right? Did she march up to the bus stop and catch the next coach? How much of a head start did she get? And how the fuck did she manage to sneak out on me like that?
I had her in my arms, and now I’ll have to start all over again. And something tells me she won’t be so easy to track down next time.
One last look around the perimeter, then I curse under my breath and jog to my car.
I parked half a mile away so the little thief wouldn’t hear me coming. My plan was working perfectly—until I pushed her against the altar and her ass pressed against my crotch. Until my brain shut off and I let my bodily instincts take the reins.
Was it worth it? Fuck yes.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Just the thought has my dick painfully hard.
Do I want to rip out her throat for disappearing on me like that and taking the files with her? You bet.
And I will.
But when I reach my car, I come to a sudden stop. “Oh, you little bitch.”
She’s slashed my tires. The little thief stole my knife and slashed my fucking tires to stop me from hunting her down.
Anger boils up inside of me, but there’s also . . . Bloody hell, is that pride? What kind of sick and twisted game is this?
A chuckle escapes me as I stand there clutching my neck and staring at my car, now useless.
Oh, she’s good. Real good.
I hate to admit it, even to myself, but she’s smarter than I gave her credit for.
When I was ordered to hunt her down and retrieve the files she stole from Los Castillos, I was kind of annoyed at first, dead sure anyone could handle it.
Why send me when I had better things to do? But clearly, I underestimated her.
That won’t happen next time.
And there will be a next time. I’ll make sure of it.
As I open the driver’s side door, I notice a small piece of paper clipped to my windshield. Initially, it appears to be a parking ticket, but when I unfold it, I find a handwritten note left by none other than her.
That was fun!
See you next time, Reaper.
XOXO
Despite crumpling the paper, I can’t suppress the smirk forming on my lips.
“Don’t worry, little thief,” I murmur to myself as I get in the car and pull out my phone. “I’ll catch you next time. And then I’ll punish you for this.”
The end … for now.
Check out this exclusive sneak peek from Hide, Little Thief, Book 2 in the Deadly Shorts Series!