Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists #2) - M. Sinclair Page 0,21

the first shocked reaction at learning that Kaden had been lying the whole time, I don’t think any of us are really in a position to judge him. He did his job and yes he betrayed us but he also protected us and worked to get us out of trouble once he knew why each of us was robbing banks. And I’m under no illusion that he worked harder to negotiate a deal where if we’re successful in our mission we won’t serve any time, because of her.

I look at the fucker when he’s around Sloane and I know that he’s as much of a goner as I am. Because at the end of the day, we were robbing banks together, playing football and partying together, we were living together but we were barely friends. We were sticking together because of the circumstances and if Kaden hadn’t taken our girl, we would’ve gone our separate ways the minute we were done with the heists. Or maybe not, because Kaden would have thrown our asses in jail.

She’s the reason we’re here together, she’s the reason why our friendship deepened, why we started to care about one another. Hell, why Kaden even found out our real reasoning for the robberies in the first place, securing our possible freedom. Because we started to see each other through her eyes: I started seeing Royce’s undying loyalty, Blaine’s caring nature, Kaden’s protectiveness. She forced us to open our hearts not just to her but to one another. And this is why I love her even more and if what she wants is all of us, I’m fucking all in. Because Sloane is what made us a family.

I shake my head at how fucking sappy I sound. I don’t mind it though. I’ve been able to show that there is another side to me than the insane irresponsible bastard they thought I was, so I’m happy for it. As if summoned by my thoughts, her reflection appears behind me in the full-length mirror of my penthouse room.

“Hey Rivs, are you ready? Blaine and Kaden want to brief us before we meet Blaine’s mom.”

Holy hell. Sloane literally has the ability to make people’s, men and women, mouths drop at how gorgeous she is. She’s stunning with her hair down on one naked shoulder, in a short little black designer dress with a sweetheart neckline that enhances her perfect cleavage in a totally classy way.

“You look beautiful, Kitten,” I say turning to face her and putting both my hands on her hips, pulling her closer to me. I see her gaze soften as her jade green eyes meet mine but my kitten is a little mischievous thing because she openly teases me.

“You clean up pretty well too, Rivs. But the knot on your tie is a mess.” She fixes it with deft hands, brushing her fingers against the skin of my throat while she works. I chuckle, nuzzling her behind her ear and inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo.

“Well fuck, I watched a tutorial on YouTube on how to do a fucking tie knot and they recommended the ‘Four in hand’ as the easiest knot. The fuck it was easy! You’d think after all the money we spent on these clothes, they could’ve thrown in a clip-on tie, right?”

She giggles and fuck if I’d give my left arm to hear that sound all the time. I think that having an ocean between her and that fucking psycho of her ex makes her feel less on edge, having us all close to her, makes her feel safer. I hope it does. I know it’s crazy, thinking about how this whole thing started between us but I’ve learned not to question the unexpected gifts that life throws at you. It doesn’t happen often, so when it does take what you’re given, punch your ticket and prepare for whatever ride you’re offered.

I don’t know what will happen after this is all over, I trust Kaden that even if we fail on our mission, he’ll find a way to help us. I know he might’ve lied about a lot of things but not about his personal feelings toward all of us. He promised me that whatever happens, my Josie will be taken care of and that is all I need. But I want to talk to the others alone about finding a way to get rid of Sloane’s ex. Not just because I have a score to settle with that motherfucker,