Thousands (Dollar 4)

It petrified me for some reason—how could the Hawks trust their guests not to pilfer? It horrified me at the lack of care, hinting at the amount of wealth they must have to write off this entire room if someone did get sticky fingers.

How much were they worth if they could give up a room full of diamonds to masked men and women in their home? And how much did they put on a human life to justify mining so many stones? Did they practice ethical mining techniques or were these blood diamonds I’d heard so much about?

You’re running out of time again.

Just like at Elder’s warehouse deliberating over what to steal, I found myself leg locked in the centre of the room, entirely suspicious and not in the least willing to take something that didn’t belong to me.

I’d been cured of that stupid calling.

I’d made a promise to quit my unsuccessful career as a thief.

So ignore him.

My hands balled, and I nodded.

I would do that.

He’d requested a task, but for once, I wouldn’t obey.

I wouldn’t steal anything. I refused to do it again.

Turning in place, I held my chin higher, happy with my decision to ignore Elder even though I still struggled with outright insubordination.

A figure captured my gaze, slamming my heart into a brick wall. I levitated for a second as every muscle jumped.

Holy hell.

The man in the door frame remained cloaked in shadow; a slight chuckle filled the space. “Sorry, I thought you saw me.”

Instantly, biting needles and creepy crawly legs worked over my skin.

Safe or dangerous?

Nice or Nasty?

Either way, I was alone with a strange man in an empty room in an unknown house surrounded by masked guests.

No.

My heart shook its head violently, deciding this scenario couldn’t be permitted. Not again.

I would gladly accept my shortcomings about crowds and foreign spaces. I would work on my leftover flaws from my past.

But not here.

Not now.

Backing up, I glanced quickly over my shoulder to another exit that led to somewhere I didn’t know. It would be somewhere in the hall at least—somewhere away from this stranger, sparkling diamonds, and potential threat. “I, eh…I was just leaving.”

My feet sweated in my high heels, making me stumble. My hands clutched my voluptuous skirts, wishing I could tear them off and run.

The man stepped forward, pushing his hands into his tux trousers. He shook his head, his mask quivering a little. “No need to worry. I mean you no harm.”

I quit retreating.

I recognised him now he’d stepped into the light. Diamonds painted tiny rainbows over his black attire making him seem almost dreamlike.

The host of this masquerade.

Jethro Hawk.

I looped my fingers together to hide the residue shakes from his arrival. “Mr. Hawk, I’m sorry you startled me. I was just admiring—”

He tilted his head with a sharp smile. “I know what you were doing.”

He can’t possibly know.

I giggled. I never giggled.

I positively hated the way he made me nervous and jumpy and so aware every exchange was so much more. He wasn’t just here to discuss diamonds, just like he wasn’t just a man who’d inherited his family’s fortune.

He was someone I didn’t trust.

Even Elder, when he first stole me, didn’t make me this uncomfortable.

Coming toward me, Jethro plucked a mid-size diamond from a tray and tossed it in his palm. “You’re not here to admire.” He gave me a dark look through his mask. “Are you?”

I shrugged. “Of course, I am. That and hiding from the crowds.”

“Ah, yes. I seem to remember you saying you’d return to the ball and listen to music—”

“Am I not allowed to change my mind?” My fingers twitched in my skirts.

“Everyone has the right to change their mind; although, you’d already changed yours while lying to Prest.”

How could he possibly know that?

I swallowed hard, determined not to let him see how rattled he made me.

“Why would you voluntarily go back into something you hated?” He cocked his head. “You’re avoiding the ballroom just like I am, though for different reasons. There was no need to lie.”

“Who said anything about lying?” I narrowed my eyes, desperate to turn this strange conversation onto him and ask what his reasons were for avoiding the very guests he’d invited. I couldn’t see him being afraid of anything—not with his title and majestic hall and incredible family.

He didn’t move, watching me far too perceptively.

The silence stretched on and on, adding more flutters to my belly. I couldn’t stand it. “Well…I suppose, despite my reluctance to mingle, I’ve been rude enough.” Moving toward the exit, I shot him a thin smile. “It was a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for your hospitality.”

I needed to get away. I didn’t like the nervous bubbles in my blood. I didn’t like being watched as if he knew so much more than he should. And I definitely didn’t enjoy the way he came off so cultured while my instincts whispered he wasn’t always so well behaved.