Read The Thief Redeemer for Free Online Page A

‘mistake?’”
    “I mean exactly what I said. I’m not a good guy, Claire. You
shouldn’t be here with me, and I’m sorry.” I bravely look her in the eyes and I
can’t tell if it’s concern or anger on her face. I have just hurt the planet’s
most beautiful girl. I’m such a prick. “I’ll have them call you a cab, and I’ll
pay for the fare.” I don’t listen for her response. I slip from the booth and
walk to the hostess. I order the cab and walk back to the booth.
    Claire is sitting with her hands crossed and she’s not
making any eye contact. I run my hand down my face again.
    “And there’s something else you should know. My name’s not
Thomas. It’s Brandon.”
    She doesn’t even look at me. I’m such an asshole.

 

     
     
    “WHAT HAPPENED BACK there?” Marcus
is driving us back to the warehouse and I’m silently watching the houses pass
by.
    “Exactly what it looked like.” I really don’t want to talk
about the past hour. I actually thought I could have some sweet girl fall in
love with me. What was she going to do? Join my car theft circuit? Her law
degree would have been handy in my profession. I don’t deserve a girl like her.
I can’t believe I allowed myself to even think that for a second. Her beauty
and goodness blew me away and caused a serious lapse in my judgment.
    “What did you get accomplished in that lawyer’s office? Did
you see any files?”
    “No.” Now is the time I have to answer to Marcus. Our
mission was a total loss. I dragged Marcus out in this, telling him I was
looking for my brother’s files, and I came up empty-handed. I was distracted by
Claire. I should have known after staring at her picture I would be attracted
to her, but I had no idea I would react the way I had.
    I should have gotten rid of Claire and then searched the
filing room some more. I went in there on a mission and ended up a jerk. I
remember seeing tears form on her face when I helped her into the cab. What
a loser. I made her cry and I seriously feel like shit. I am shit. Who does
that to the world’s most beautiful girl? She probably has men lined up to date
her and I sent her away crying.
    Marcus doesn’t ask any more questions and I know he won’t
push it.
    “Today was a total bust, okay? I want to go back to the
warehouse, grab a beer, and forget about everything.”
    Marcus nods, and we drive in silence back to our warehouse.
We park the car in the garage and head up the back stairs to the apartment up
top. I walk into the kitchen and head straight for the fridge. I grab a beer
and sit myself down on the couch. I ignore Tommy and Carlos who sit at the
kitchen table in discussion. I turn on the television to give me a place to
rest my eyes while I sip on the beer. Tonight is going to be a bad night. Good
thing there’s no roundup scheduled.
    My phone buzzes. I don’t want to answer. I’m still wallowing
in self-pity on how close I came to love and purity today, only to have reality
snatch it from my fingers. I glance at the phone and moan. Can this day become
any worse?
    “What’s up, Richard?”
    “Hey man. Listen. I have an idea for you, but I don’t know
if it’s going to work. Hamilton and Birch are hot on your trail. They’re asking
around for you and everything. We need to give them a distraction that will
take their mind off you for a while, and I’ve got the perfect idea.”
    “What kind of distraction?” He’s got my full attention now.
    “Both Hamilton and Birch have daughters. I say we stage a
kidnapping. Take both the girls. I can arrange everything and have the girls
delivered to your warehouse. What you do with them from that point forward is
your prerogative. Maybe keep the girls like a month and then we can work on
getting new warehouses for you to move around in or something. What do you
think?”
    “I don’t like the idea of getting new warehouses. I like the
set-up I’ve got.”
    “Okay, then keep the girls for as long as you like, do