Page 91 of Fallen to Thievery
I did my best to fight off his advances on the library couch as I waited for the third and final dose to kick in.
“Come now, Ava. Don’t be so shy,” he mumbled as he slid his hand up my leg, pushing my dress up as he went.
I stood from the couch. “Then show me your bedroom,” I said, pulling him to his feet. He was about to pass out, and it would be impossible to drag him all the way to his bed. Especially with hisservantsroaming the halls.
Lucky for me, his bedroom was also on the second floor. He wouldn’t have made it up another flight of stairs.
In the gaudiest room in this castle, Charles plopped down onto the edge of his bed. “Show me, Ava,” he demanded, his words slurring. “I wanna see your bodynow.”
I gritted my teeth and undid the zipper at the back of my dress, reluctantly letting it fall to the ground, just in the off chance he might remember something the next day.
A drunken smile spread across his face. “Wow…”
I climbed onto his lap as his head lolled with that stupid grin still on his face and pushed him down onto the mattress.
He chuckled slowly. “Feist…” He didn’t finish his word as his hands slipped from my hips and his eyes slid shut.
I exhaled my frustration. “About fucking time.”
It took me a while to get his heavy body completely on the bed, needing to take a break to catch my breath, before proceeding in staging the scene. I undressed him completely, wondering for a while if he was the type of man to leave his socks on when he fucked a woman, to which I decided, yes. Yes, he was. I also smudged some of my red lipstick on his lips and neck. Sneaking back into the library, past all the guards—like Grayson had taught me—I found the two bottles of wine the staff had left for us, which I took to his bathroom and emptied one in the drain, then almost emptied the other one. I placed the wineglasses on the bedside tables as well, each with a bit of wine left in.
He would look around and think he had too much to drink. He would feel like it too.
When I was done messing up the room a bit, I climbed into bed next to a snoring Charles. He had asked me to stay over, so that’s what I had to do. But I couldn’t sleep. Excitement coursed through my veins. I couldn’twait to tell Grayson what I knew. I took the cell phone out of my purse and sent Grayson a text.
I’m fine, he’s sleeping. And I know where your diamond is!
His reply was almost immediate.Thank God you’re okay. Two more seconds and I would have burned his house down.
A few seconds later:Never again, Princess.
He was still mad at me. I had left him in the hotel room, bristling. I could picture him pacing outside the van, around the corner of the street.
I’m not making any promises, I teased.
His reply sent a shiver through me.Don’t test me, Ava.
I paused, wondering if I should rather do the wise thing and end it there, but I typed out my reply anyway.Then don’t tell me what to do. I’m a grown woman. I make my own choices. And if it means dressing up in ugly red lingerie for a crime lord, then so be it. You should thank me. I did something in three days that you couldn’t do in ten years, and I didn’t even have to fuck him. I found Dianna’s diamond, Grayson!
I might have been a tad harsh. But I was hurt. He was supposed to be proud of me, not mad at me. I was proud of myself; excited by what I’d accomplished. And I was starting to believe Grayson’s words all those weeks ago. Maybe Iwasmade for this life.
I looked down at Charles. Drool made its way down his chin. I had infiltrated this monster’s home, got from him what I needed and completely disarmed him. No one looked twice at the doe-eyed, blushing red head.
I smiled. I could kill him right now if I wanted to and be long gone before anyone realised what had happened.
The cell phone buzzed in my hand.I’m too afraid of losing you. Nothing else matters.
I sank against the pillows. He would come around when I’m safe in his arms tomorrow. Maybe then he would let himself be excited.
Good night, Grayson, I typed out and waited for his reply. I wanted to continue talking to him, have someone share in my excitement, but he was not in the right headspace right now. There would be time for that later.
I’m here if you need me, Princess.
I deleted the messages and placed the phone back into my purse before lying back, grinning up at the ceiling.
I had done it.
The next morning, when Charles started to stir, I got up and dressed myself in the extra clothes I brought with me from the hotel. I made sure to drape the lingerie around the room.
