The Bandit (The Stolen Duet 1)

“I had last-minute business to attend,” he answered back without warmth, and I wondered how he knew him.

“You’re the guest of honor. It doesn’t do well to be late to your own party.”

This was a party for Angel?

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Rather than answer, the man’s gaze slid to me, and suddenly, I felt like I was under a microscope. “Hello, Mian.”

I was taken aback. “You know who I am?”

“Of course, my dear. You caused quite an upheaval for my family. Not to mention, your father killed my son.” He spoke dispassionately—and that scared me more than if he had yelled. Alon Knight’s eyes were blank and without feeling. I searched for the right response, but really, what was one to say at a party when the host accused you of crimes you didn’t commit?

Thankfully, Lucas saved me from responding. He sauntered into our circle with the blonde.

“Mr. Knight,” he respectfully greeted.

“Lucas…” Alon’s gaze coldly assessed the woman on his arm. “I see once again you do not hesitate at indulging in all the party has to offer.”

“You know me. I never miss an opportunity to spend the night between a beautiful pair of legs.”

“It’s good my grandson does not share your sentiments.”

Lucas didn’t react, but I was willing to bet if he wasn’t Angel’s grandfather, and we weren’t standing in a room full of people, that he would have been a dead man. “Always a pleasure, Alon.”

Alon didn’t seem to appreciate either one of our presence, but Lucas was still my enemy so I didn’t want to laugh, but a smile snuck up on me anyway. I ducked my head, but when I lifted it again, Lucas caught my eyes. There was a twinkle in his as he winked.

“Mian, may I have this dance?”

He didn’t wait for me to deny him. He took my hand and guided me onto the dance floor away from Angel and Alon. When we reached the center of the room, he tugged me close and wrapped his arm around my waist.

I looked back in time to see Angel and Alon leaving the ballroom. “So I take it he’s not your favorite person?”

He snorted and twirled me before bringing me close again. “He’s a prick, girl. Stay away from him.”

My eyebrows shot for my hairline. “You’re warning me?”

His face settled into a blank mask, and we continued to dance. Suddenly, he pulled me even closer. His arm tightened until I gasped.

“Why are you doing this?”

I frowned. “I’m not doing anything. Ihaven’t doneanything.

“Just tell him where the book is. No amount of money is worth your life, girl.”

“I don’t. Have. The book. I don’t even know what the book is.”

His face said he didn’t believe me as his eyes searched mine. He seemed to decide something and relaxed his arm.

“No shit?”

“Why is this book so important to him? What makes it a legacy?”

“Because it’s not just a book. It’s a contract.”

“A contract,” I repeated. “How’s that?”

“The book contains a record of every job, client, and contact since Alexander Knight.”

“The first Knight,” I guessed. He nodded. “Why would they keep something like that? It’s a criminal justice wet dream.”

“That’s one way of looking at it, but the book has been untouched by anyone who wasn’t the Knight for almost two-hundred years. Until you.”

“That still doesn’t tell me why his family would keep something so incriminating.”

“Because it’s power. It can start wars, break allegiances, and cripple empires. The entries will incriminate anyone who’s every laid in bed with a Knight.”

“It imprisons them.”

“Yeah, girl. It does.”

“But that includes you, doesn’t it?” He shrugged and moved his hand down to cup my ass. I didn’t welcome his touch, but I didn’t fight it either. He ran his lips down my neck until it reached my shoulder. “You’ll never be able to walk away.”

“I have no intentions of walking away. I owe Art my life.”

“But not Angel?”

He lifted his head and pinned me with his stare. “He’s my best friend. His father gave me a job when everyone else overlooked Z and me like trash.I’d die for him.”

“It doesn’t sound like friendship. It sounds like servitude to me.”

“I’m no one’s slave, girl. If I ever wanted to walk away, Angel couldn’t stop me, and I know for a fact that he wouldn’t try.Thatis why I’m loyal.”

We danced some more in silence and by the end of the third song, I’d had enough. “Where’s the bathroom?” I asked as an excuse to get away.

“I’ll escort you.”

“So I’m still in shackles,” I said as he guided me through the dancing crowd.

“Afraid so.” His hand didn’t leave the small of my back until we reached a quiet corner. There was a single door, and I assumed it led to a bathroom. “Sure you don’t need any help?”

I started to respond, but the words were caught in my throat. Three men dressed in black suits rushed for Lucas. He couldn’t see them, but he could see me. His grin disappeared just as I went to shout a warning. Two of them jumped him.