Page 16 of The Swindler’s Daughter

“You’d stolen a pouch of money,” I argued.

“To give back to the people who are being bled dry by the law.”

My chin pulled back as I let that sink in. “That’s what you’re doing?” Why hadn’t Rowan just said that?

“Of course that’s what we’re doing,” he said, raising his hands in exasperation.

“Then why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?” I asked, agitated.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You threatened to hold the money hostage if I said anything more about it,” he reminded me.

He was right. I had. I grabbed my basket. “I have work to do.” I walked away from them both, feeling worse than I had when I’d come to Johnny for understanding. I’d been hoping he would somehow lessen my fears and anxiety, but now they were worse. I wasn’t usually one to ignore my own eyes, but I didn’t know what to believe, and I didn’t want to jump to the worst conclusion when there might be a more reasonable explanation.

I sighed, frustrated to realize I’d done exactly that with Johnny and Rowan. Still. Just because they had a reason didn’t make it right.

“Miriam, wait,” Johnny said as he caught my arm, making me turn to face him.

“I can’t be a part of this, Johnny. Maybe what you’re doing isn’t so bad,” I conceded, more confused than ever. “Maybe, but I can’t be part of it.”

I had moved beyond that life. I’d pried myself from it with Hunter’s help, and I could not go back.

***

The sun was slanting behind the trees as I nocked one of my new arrows. I drew back, my thumb hitting the corner of my mouth as I consciously reminded myself to relax, drop my shoulders, exhale, release. It flew well.

“Not bad.”

Rowan’s voice undid all my efforts to relax. I turned to find him standing five paces behind me and to my left, getting ready to nock his own arrow.

Curse Gretchen and her suggestion. He was good-looking, and the way my stomach seemed to take careful notice of that fact was not helpful.

He drew his arrow back.

“You’ve dragged Tyson into it?” I asked, my voice harsher than I intended.

He missed the target.

I blinked in surprise, realizing this was the first time I’d ever seen him miss. I stared at the arrow where it stuck out of the ground, completely shocked. Rowan never missed.

When I finally turned to look at him, his jaw was tense and he was glaring at the arrow. Then he slowly turned his glare on me.

I couldn’t help it—I laughed. It was just a small burst of air that broke from my lips, then I smacked my hand over my mouth.

His glare intensified as he lowered his bow.

My laughter slipped past my hand, coming out in a sputter.

“What in the world is so funny?” he asked in a bored monotone.

I swallowed my laughter, fighting for composure, and gave a little shrug. “It’s just nice to see you fail once in a while.”

He raised a brow, looking more confused than angry now. “I’m fairly certain I should be hurt by such a sentiment.”

My mirth faded as I recalled my anger, though somehow it was less now. I let out a heavy sigh. “How many of the boys have you got helping you?” I asked.

“They aren’t children.”

I closed my eyes, hating the thought of those boys being turned into thieves. They didn’t understand the toll a life of dishonesty could have on a person. “They’re my friends as much as they’re yours, and I’m concerned.”