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“Rueben,” he said, his voice deep and hoarse.
“I had a Care Bear named Rueben once!” she exclaimed, her eyes big as she smiled, successfully making my insides turn into a million butterflies.
“It’s settled. Do you want to stop by the hotel first?” I asked, standing up in a hunch.
She bit her lip, grabbing all three of our attention. “How long will we be?” she asked, looking down at her clothes.
“However long you’re comfortable with, baby assassin,” Phoenix said, earning himself a nose crinkle and head shake.
“Um, no. That makes me sound like I kill babies, and I would never!” she gasped.
Phoenix’s cheeks heated as he nodded, rubbing his hands through his hair and making the ends stick everywhere. “Right, um, Raven?”
She nodded, pleased with the correction, then remembered the question. “I guess I would like to change. This isn’t my normal attire.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll swing by the hotel and let you grab whatever you need. Phoenix, alert the boss man so he doesn’t freak out when we’re not back.”
“On it,” he said, sliding into his chair at the computer and sending a secure message. I climbed into the driver’s seat, trusting Rueben would keep her safe in the back without a seatbelt. For the first time since we started PROP and became the Loxley Crew, I wasn’t buzzing to see what we’d stolen; instead, my mind and heart were completely enraptured by a girl. One I hoped would change our lives as we knew it.
8
RAVEN
I directedthe van around to the back and pulled my disguise back on. The guys watched with amused expressions, curious about my process. It had taken some convincing for Rueben to let me go once we arrived, and I didn’t want to admit how nice it had felt to be held like that.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, touching the back door handle.
“Wait a second,” Phoenix started, reaching over to stop me. “Shouldn’t we go with you?” he asked, his green eyes big as he peered at me and the outside world.
Now that I knew there were two of them, I could tell the difference, even if outwardly they looked exactly the same, except their tattooed sleeves. Phoenix seemed less trusting of things, whereas Porter jumped in without looking. It would be interesting to be around them more and find other ways they differed, something I looked forward to.
“Assassin,” I said, pointing at my chest and smiling.
Phoenix blushed, dropping his arm that had paused mid-air. “Right. I’m going to take a bit to get used to that.” He cringed, dropping his eyes sheepishly.
“I’ll be lickety-split!” I cheered, climbing out of the door and ducking into the shadows. The sun would rise soon, so I needed to handle this before I blew my cover.
The tape I’d placed on the back door latch was still intact, and the door opened with no problems. I climbed the stairs, my breath huffing out as I neared the third floor.
“Always with the cardio,” I mumbled, hating having to admit I needed more. Slipping through the door, I paced myself as I approached the extra room, using the key card to open the door.
Stepping in, I leaned against the wall and counted to ten as I let my eyes adjust to the darkness. The shapes of the room came into focus, nothing appearing to be out of place. I could hear the TV in my room still on; the recording had finished an hour ago when I’d expected to return.
Something felt off, but I couldn’t place it just yet.
Convinced it wasn’t anything in this room, I smiled before opening the room door. Porter and Phoenix fell through and immediately righted themselves, attempting to look around like they didn’t know how they’d gotten there.
“How did you know we were here?” Porter asked, his cheeks pink.
“Assassin,” I repeated, giggling. The twins stopped their shuffling, looking at me with awe. “Plus, one of you, I’m guessing Phoenix, since you don’t go into the houses as often, isn’t as quiet as he thinks he is.”
Porter laughed, clapping his brother on the back as the grumpier twin pouted, crossing his arms and frowning.
“You can come out, Ruebear,” I said, keeping the door open for a few more seconds. The most silent of the trio popped from around the corner and walked through the door, shrugging.
“How did you know he was there?” Phoenix asked. “He’s the quietest of all of us.”
“I didn’t actually hear him, but I knew he wouldn’t stay put. It was his cologne that gave him away. I’ve been inhaling it for the past hour, so when I smelled it again when the door opened, I knew he was just better at hiding.”
