Free Stolen Hearts by Karen Erickson Page B

trembling fingers touching her lips. “Are you serious?” Then her eyes widened, and Alex could practically see the gears turning in her mind. “Does this have anything to do with the man who just came in here?”
    She was smart, he had to give her that. “He’s part of a jewel thief syndicate based in L.A.”
    “And how do you know this? How do you know that man? What exactly do you do for a living anyway, Alex? I don’t think you ever told me.” Celeste crossed her arms in front of her chest, waiting for his answer. Already judging him, suspecting him…
    He could feel it radiate toward him…her doubt, mixed with anger and the tiniest hint of fear. He hated the fact that she was angry with him but more than anything, he didn’t like that he scared her.
    Heart pounding in his chest, he realized he didn’t know what to say, how to explain. How could he tell Celeste— a jewelry store owner! —that he’d been in jail for jewelry theft? That he was a lonely drifter with no real career goals whose father had recruited him to steal again? Starting with the very bracelet in her possession?
    He knew if he mentioned any of that, she would freak the fuck out. Not that he would blame her.
    But he was stuck—and he was tired of half-truths. Damn it, he couldn’t change his past…couldn’t change who he’d once been. He didn’t want to turn her away but he was sick of lying. He’d lied his entire life and look where it had gotten him.
    Absolutely nowhere.
    He’d rather take the risk and share the truth than keep lying to her and feeling like a total shit.
    “I, uh…haven’t worked since getting out of prison.” Alex spoke so softly even he could barely hear himself.
    Her brow furrowed. “Excuse me? Did you say what I think you just said?”
    With a nod, he took a step toward her, his heart cracking when she took an equal step backward. “I went in for breaking and entering, theft. My father runs that jewelry theft syndicate on the West Coast.”
    “And that’s how you know about the man who was in my store? You work with him?”
    “Yeah. Vinnie. I mean, I don’t really work with him but yes, my father sent him.” Alex nodded, his mouth tight. He could feel Celeste slipping through his fingers with every word he spoke. Didn’t know how to stop it from happening.
    “So did your father send you here?”
    His head jerked in a nod. He didn’t even bother speaking. What else could he say?
    “To steal the bracelet?”
    He nodded again. “After what happened between us last night, I wasn’t going to do it. I want you to know that.”
    “I see. So after we had sex , you decided you can’t steal from me after all. Great.” She cleared her throat, her eyes cloudy. She looked so sad, he wished he could rush to her, comfort her, but she’d probably push him away. Not that he could really blame her. “You should probably go.”
    “Listen, Celeste, I want to explain.” But how could he explain? She wouldn’t believe a word out of his mouth anyway. He was a con, a man who’d been in prison, certainly not worthy of her respect.
    She shook her head, her voice low and emotionless. “There’s really nothing you can say, Alex. You came here to steal the bracelet and I guess you failed. Using me, sleeping with me to get to the bracelet, is pretty low. I’d rather you’d just walked in and held a gun to my head.”
    It hurt that she thought he felt nothing, that what they’d experienced together meant nothing to him. What they’d shared last night, this morning in the shower, had meant everything to him. Foolish, considering they barely knew each other but the connection was there, undeniable. At least for him.
    He had to at least tell her that before he left.
    “Everything that happened between us last night was real , Celeste. I mean it. That wasn’t part of my scam, I swear. It just…happened.”
    “Right, like I can believe you!” she seethed, eyes now shining with anger. “I’m sure it was your