“I don’t plan on keeping you,” I mutter and then snap a photo of his face. “And now I don’t have to because if I ever see you upstairs again, the police and the Hartwells get this image.”
He tries to shove me off, but I’ve gotthe upper hand and more body weight. “I don’t have anything.”
“Not anymore.” With one swift hook to his jaw, I knock him out.
Knowing how to throw a knockout punch has been one of the most surprisingly useful talents for my profession. If done quickly enough, people wake up with only a vaguely blurry memory of me. A win-win.
This guy will remember, though.
I drag his limp body into the closet and make quick work of securing his legs and arms with the available—and stupidly expensive—ties and belts.
I lock the closet door, jamming it from the outside with another overpriced leather belt. What’s the point of paying so much for something if it can’t be used to bind a criminal? Thanks to me, it’s finally living up to its full potential.
I lock the outer bedroom door as well. The party is loud enough he shouldn’t be heard until the wee hours of the morning, but I’ll leave an anonymous tip for the police and someone should retrieve him before then.
I wind my way through the crowd until I find Maya and Bella, who is devouring a piece of cake like her life depends on it. Maya tries to pull her away, but the little girl reaches for more like a rabid animal. She might actually be foaming at the mouth. Never mind… that’s frosting.
“I think that’s enough sugar, monkey,” I say, scooping her up and hauling her over my shoulder.
“Put me down this instant!” she demands. “I need more cake!”
Now I see why she doesn’t get real sugar.
“Don’t worry, she’ll crash soon,” Maya says, and I look at her hopefully, my eyes finding her lips once more.
Will we finally get to finish what has been attempted multiple times?
Bella tries to get out of my arms until we make it to the penthouse elevator, then she resigns herself to her fate and hangs like a rag doll over my shoulder.
“Did you catch him?” Maya asks.
“Yes.” I pull the tablet out of my back pocket and the watch from my front pocket and hold them out toher.
Maya grasps them gently, like a parent would a newborn. “Did you call the cops?”
I arch a brow. “I thought we didn’t call the cops on thieves in this building?”
She pinches her lips to the side. “We are selective with our thieves.”
“Good to know.” If it were just the two of us in this elevator, I’d kiss that feisty, witty mouth. But alas, the child.
“So where is he?” Maya asks.
I roll my lips. “Detained in a closet.”
“Dare I ask?”
I face her. “Might be safer if you don’t. Deniability and all that.”
Her eyes crinkle, her lips fighting a smile. “You’re trouble.”
“I think you like i—”
“Stop flirting. I’m going to be sick,” Bella groans. I immediately lower her to the ground, where Maya wraps an arm around her.
“Time forElf?” I ask.
“Time forElf,” Maya confirms as she leads Bella out of the elevator.
