Stolen Life (Beauty in the Stolen 2)

We sit down at the table where we had lunch while she calls for Vimbo to bring mugs and sugar.

He comes out with a tray and gives me a toothy grin. “You can tell Ian I’m ready to be tested. I finished the first book, but it took me forever.”

I help set out the mugs. “Which one did you read?”

He pouts. “Othello.”

“Didn’t you like it?”

“The language is so old. People don’t talk like that. It doesn’t make sense.”

“If you look past the language, the story is really cool.”

“Yeah?”

“If you want, I can come over some afternoons and we can go through the parts you don’t understand before Ian tests you.”

His eyes grow large. “Really? You’d do that?”

“Of course.”

Lesedi smiles. “That’s so kind of you, Cas.”

“Want to know what the other books are?” he asks, hopping from his seat.

“I’d love to.”

“You sure?” Lesedi asks. “I don’t want him to bore you.”

I wink at Vimbo. “Curiosity is my weakness.”

While he darts back to the hut, Lesedi pours me coffee and spoons in two sugars. “I’m grateful. My husband will be too. Neither of us finished school, but we have high aspirations for Vimbo. We’re hoping he’ll finish matric and go to college.”

Vimbo comes running back with a paper bag that sports a big chain bookstore logo. He empties the bag on the table, almost knocking over the coffee.

“Careful,” Lesedi says, chastising him in a soft voice. “You don’t want coffee all over these expensive books.”

A piece of paper falls from the bag and drifts to the ground. I bend to pick it up. It’s the receipt from the bookstore. The Rustenburg address that’s printed in bold letters at the top catches my eye. Ian must’ve bought the books while he was in town to see me. Imagining him walking into the bookstore in the middle of the main street with the cops looking for him makes me shiver. When did he dare such a dangerous stunt? I knew he had been stalking me, but I don’t know for exactly how long or since when he’s been hanging around my apartment.

Curiosity makes me look at the date and time stamp. It’s the morning after the night we spent at the Kloof, the morning the bank was robbed and Nick was shot. The time states six minutes after nine.

I go still. The robbery took place between nine and nine-fifteen, half an hour before the bank opened. Ian hadn’t lied. It hadn’t been his gang. This proves he’s innocent.

Folding the receipt, I slip it with a shaking hand into my pocket. I down the scalding hot coffee, burning my mouth. “Um, I have to go.”

“Is everything all right?” Lesedi asks, giving me a concerned look.

“Yes,” I push through dry lips. “It’s getting late, and I want to get back before dark.”

“Of course.” She gets up. “We’ll walk you back to your ride.” Looking around, she asks, “Where’s Banga anyway? He’s the one driving you, right?”

“It’s Wataida today.” I stand on wooden legs. “I’m driving him around, but he comes along to protect me.” I force a smile. “Ian’s instructions.”

“That’s wise.” She hooks her arm around mine as we walk toward the road. “There’s a rogue baboon on the loose. The men spotted him by the river. He’s been rejected by his troop. Probably an old male. Now he’s trying to steal vegetables from the fields. Since they’ve scared him off with their guns, he’s been skulking around.” She hugs me when we get to the Jeep. “Take care, will you?”

“You too.” I ruffle Vimbo’s hair. “I’ll be back for a chat about those books.”

They wave as I get into the Jeep. I don’t call Ian during the noisy ride. I wait until we’re at the main lodge and I’ve closed the door behind me in the dining room before I dial his number.

He picks up on the first ring. “Cas?” He still sounds pissed off. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I just—”

“In that case, it can wait. I’m in the middle of something.”

Why does he have to be so damn rude? “What’s so important?” I add with sarcasm, “Oliver?”

His tone is clipped. “Business. Don’t wait to have dinner. We’ll be home late.”

The line goes dead.

Baffled, I stare at my phone.

A knock falls on the door.

Banga pushes it open. “Everything okay?”

Biting my nail, I frown at the dark screen of my phone. “Uh, yeah.”

“I’m knocking off early unless you want me to hang around here before walking you to the room.”

“That’s fine.” I’m still trying to wrap my mind around Ian’s brusqueness. The way he treated me hurt my heart. “Give me a minute to grab some fruit from the kitchen.”

“Shona can bring you dinner later.”

“It seems Ian and the guys are eating out. It’s not necessary to cook just for me.”

His smile is kind. “She cooks for us anyway.”