Free THIEF: Part 5 by Kimberly Malone

Chapter One
     
     
                  “Should we start the new year off right?I don’t think anyone would notice we’re gone.”
                  I barely hear Alex as he whispers this, nuzzling my neck.Over his shoulder, through the flashing lights and confetti of my aunt’s reception, someone’s watching me.Waiting.
                  My heart races, then slows and drops, then repeats.Again and again.I don’t know how I should feel, staring at Silas Marlowe across the ballroom.Scared.Furious.Happier than I’ve been in months, if only in a flickering, fleeting way.
                  When our eyes meet, he kicks off from the doorjamb where he’s been leaning.I watch him head to the exit.
                  Suddenly, I remember who I’m here with.“Alex…um.I’ve got to use the bathroom real quick—can you get me another drink?”
                  My smile’s forced, but thankfully, Alex doesn’t notice.Winking, he steps away.It takes every bit of control I have to walk, not sprint, to the foyer.
                  I catch him just outside the front door.His name is perched on my tongue, but I can’t speak it.I won’t.
                  He stares at me from one step down.The snow drifts to his shoulders, and I watch a piece land on his lashes.Neither of us moves to get it.
                  “Congratulations,” he says.“You know…your aunt getting married. And, uh…”The sound of his voice, low and smooth with a hint of sadness, shakes my resolve.But not completely.
                  “Alex,” I tell him.“My boyfriend.”
                  Silas snorts, his smirk masking something.“You love him?”
                  I hesitate.Just a second, but enough for him to nod sarcastically when I answer, “Yes.I do love him.”My anger bubbles again.I want to strangle him, right on the stoop.“What, did you think I’d wait for you?After what you did to me?”
                  “Erin,” he says, dragging a hand across his face.My name leaving his mouth weakens my knees; I steady myself against the door, pulling it shut behind me.“Of course I didn’t think you would wait.I…I wouldn’t have wanted you to.”He pauses, glancing at the door, as though he can see Alex through it.“I can’t apologize enough.For all of it.”
                  “Agreed.”
                  We stand in silence for a moment.I finally notice the cold and shiver.
                  “Well, uh…it’s chilly out.Get back to, uh…”
                  “Alex,” I finish.
                  “Right.”He sighs, his gaze sweeping the road at the edge of the property, as though a getaway car’s revved up and waiting.“I just wanted to stop by.”
                  “Right.”
                  He looks back at me.For some reason, despite never wanting to see his face again, I don’t want him to leave.
                  “Silas, wait.”I reach for his arm, blush, and let go like touching a hot stove.“Why are you really here?”
                  He slips his hands into his coat pockets, shrugging.“Saw your aunt’s wedding announcement in the paper, that’s all.Wanted to congratulate you.”
                  I just stare at him.“Congratulate me.When you’re on the run for theft and kidnapping.”
                  Silas lets his eyes drift to our feet.“Fine.I...wanted to see you.”He glances up at me from under his brow.“Found out about the wedding through a friend.Won't say who.”
                  “You wanted to see me.”
                  He nods.
                  “Why?”
                  “Jesus, Erin, I don’t know.”He rubs his face again, exhaling sharply, and starts pacing in a small circle on the