Chapter 1 #2
“It will be a factor, yes,” Cash said, keeping his features neutral. A beautiful metropolis was appealing, but there were plenty of stunning cities throughout the country that weren’t home to the most sought-after gold in the world.
“Right, of course,” Lepus said. “As for the job, we spoke to both Valentin and Cane, who you served in the special forces with, and both men highly recommended you.”
Valentin was the current Cupid. Unlike the fairytales, Cupid was the defender of love, and the succession of Fae males who assumed the role were warriors of the highest caliber.
Valentin had been in the military alongside Cash before he’d been tapped to be the next Cupid.
They kept in touch, but they didn’t see each other as often as they used to.
Clover consumed Cash’s time, and Valentin had recently found his mate.
Cane was an elf and the former head of Santa’s security detail, but he retired after he injured his knee.
If the Fae Male and the Elf were recommending him, he had to accept the position.
You didn’t turn down jobs handed to you by Cupid and the protector of Santa himself.
“We are taking their recommendations seriously because last night’s break-in isn’t a one-time event,” Lepus said.
“Police found the Precieux Egg by accident, and whoever they took it from wants it back. We need someone like you to run security. This museum has a multitude of priceless Fae artifacts, but this egg makes our exhibits the most expensive in the world. We can’t hire just anyone.
We need the best, and both Cane and Valentin believe that’s you. ”
Lepus continued, outlining the head of security’s job description, and Cash had to give it to his son.
His salary prediction was spot on. They could definitely afford a house.
The job wouldn’t be any more dangerous than his time in the special forces, but he’d be home for dinner every night.
In truth, he missed the military. He missed the action.
It was what he was good at, and this job seemed the perfect combination between his calling as a soldier and his calling as a father.
“Cash, we would like to hire you,” Lepus said in closing. “We can have an official offer to you by tonight if you’re interested.”
“I am interested,” Cash said. “Send the paperwork, and I’ll look it over. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, but I have to talk to my son first.”
“And lastly, this is the backyard,” the real estate agent said as she led Cash and Clover outside.
“The previous owners installed the privacy fence two years ago, so it’s in great condition.
It’s the smallest yard on the block, but the fence and patio make up for the size.
It’s perfect for family barbeques or a romantic evening around the fire pit.
The patio is large enough for a picnic table, and the sliding glass door leads into the kitchen, which has a window over the sink.
Your wife will love it, since she’ll be able to keep an eye on your son playing out here while she makes dinner. ”
“I’m not married,” Cash said out of reflex before grinding his teeth in regret.
The real estate agent was a pretty woman, and her face brightened the instant he confirmed his singlehood.
Her comment about a wife had little to do with selling the house, and he’d walked right into her fishing expedition.
“Well, this neighborhood will be perfect for you, then.” She touched his arm as she spoke, and Cash unconsciously leaned away.
“There are a lot of families with kids, which is great for your son, and it’s close to downtown.
It has the best nightlife and entertainment, and we’re only a few minutes from The Merveille De L’art. ”
“I heard,” he said, choosing not to mention the museum was why he was buying a house.
“You’ll love living here,” the agent continued with a grin. “And I’d be more than happy to show you around. Give you a personal tour of all the city’s hidden gems.”
There it was.
“That’s very kind,” Cash said, hoping he was letting her down gently. “But I’m moving here for work. The job is demanding, so I won’t have much time for the local nightlife. Thank you, though.”
“Right, of course.” She dropped her hand from his forearm. “Well, I’ll be in the kitchen organizing the paperwork because I’ve been watching your son. He likes the house, so it seems we have a winner on our hands. I’ll give you a minute to discuss it.”
“Thank you.” Cash smiled as the agent disappeared inside. “Well, what do you think, buddy?”
“I think she likes you,” Clover said.
“About the house.” Cash rolled his eyes.
“You know, it’s okay to like her back,” Clover continued. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I know about kissing. It would be okay with me if you got a girlfriend.”
“Oh, it would, would it?”
“Yeah.” Clover nodded seriously. “It’s cool if you want to go out with her.
I know you don’t date because of me, but I’m grown up now.
My ears are starting to show.” He turned so his father could see his elongated Fae ears, as if Cash hadn’t been studying their points since the moment he laid eyes on his infant son. “I want you to be happy.”
“What makes you think I’m not happy?” Cash asked. “I have you, and you’re my best friend. What? Are you sick of me?” he teased.
“No.” The boy playfully shoved his dad. “I just love you, that’s all. You can have a girlfriend if you want.”
“Are you saying this now so that when you get to high school and ask for a girlfriend, I have to say yes?”
“Duh,” Clover giggled.
“I’ll make you a deal, okay? If I meet a woman I like, I’ll ask her out on a date. I’m glad you want me to be happy, but moving and getting a new job are a lot to balance. I don’t need to start dating my real estate agent on top of that.”
“So you don’t like her?”
“It’s not that I don’t like her,” Cash said. “I just don’t think she’s the right fit for me.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So, can we get back to the house?” Cash ruffled his son’s hair. “It’s close to the museum and your new school. It’s in my price range, and it has plenty of bedrooms. What do you think? Is this the one?”
Clover scanned the backyard with a smile. “Yeah. This is the one.”
“All right then.” Cash hugged his son. “Let’s buy a house!”
Sable lugged the last box up the three flights of stairs and dropped it on the kitchen table of her new and hopefully temporary apartment.
Every thief competing in this year’s hunt would take a different approach to stealing the egg.
Some would come with firepower and bravado.
Some would slip inside with the newest gadgets on the market.
Some would fail, but one would win, and she intended it to be her.
It’s why she’d rented this seemingly unimportant apartment close to the Merveille De L’art.
She had no intention of barging into town and drawing attention.
Stealing the Precieux wouldn’t be like any other job.
It wasn’t a heist you could plan and execute in a few days.
One team already tried that, and they hadn’t even made it past the front door.
This theft required a long con. Sable would have to watch and wait and listen, and how better to fly under the radar than by renting a modest space and becoming just another citizen?
The spring weather was mild, but lugging boxes of belongings up three flights of stairs had her sweating through her shirt, and Sable tugged off her wig as she walked to the kitchen sink.
Her bunny ears sprang free as she turned on the faucet, and she drank straight from the tap until her throat no longer felt like black asphalt on a ninety-degree day.
Wearing a wig often made her unbearably hot, but the goal was to blend in.
Foot-tall ears sprouting from the top of her head would make that impossible, even in a city that acknowledged the existence of supernaturals.
The Merveille De L’art was a Fae museum, after all, and the security guards were all Fae soldiers.
The artifacts they protected belong to every race known to the planet, from humans to vampires to Krampuses to the Fae.
No one would question an Easter Bunny’s presence in this city, but they might get suspicious if one started hanging around the golden egg. Easter egg hunt stereotypes and all.
All of her siblings had followed the family traditions.
They got married, had kids, and worked to make Easter magical.
Children around the world loved the Easter Bunny, but something about Sable broke the mold.
She couldn’t be the person her kind expected her to be, and her transformation had been so subtle that she hadn’t noticed it until the day she stood with a half-a-million-dollar bracelet clutched in her hand because she’d slipped it off a mark’s wrist.
Becoming a thief wasn’t entirely unexpected, though.
Her large family had practically trained her for this profession.
She was the youngest sibling of ten, and her older brothers hogged everything.
It was hard to even eat with them around, so from a young age, she stole just to have stuff of her own.
She loved her brothers with all her heart.
They didn’t do it to be mean. They were just big and hungry and loud, and they’d definitely taught her to take what wasn’t hers.
Her phone chimed, and Sable turned off the water and scanned Peter’s text message.
Peter
So… how’s the new place?
She smirked as she snapped a quick photo to send him.
Sable
Crappy.
Well, that’s what you wanted.
I know, but I feel like I’m in a college dorm. All that’s missing are the red solo cups.
Sounds like fun.
Sable rolled her eyes.
Sure.
I actually had another reason besides frat party plans for texting.
Okay?
Word is the Merveille De L’Art hired a new head of security. He’s ex-special forces.
Aren’t they all?
Not like this guy. I don’t know much about him except that he was in the same unit as Cupid.
You mean THE CUPID? Motorcycle riding, vigilante with a bow and arrow, Cupid?
The one and only.
Shit.
I second that.
This just got a lot harder, didn’t it?
I’ll try to learn more about him, but please be careful. You’re the only thief in the game I like.