Read To Steal a Prince for Free Online

hard as I can stand. Don’t be dumb. This isn’t going anywhere. He’s just a kind person, who must know a thousand women more eligible to date than an unrepentant thief. This is the life I lead. I steal things, and I can’t let emotions enter into the equation.
    We stop outside the museum. The marble columns look ominous. I can’t go in there. Something terrible will happen, I can feel it.
    Damon steps out of the car, walking around to open my door. I haven’t unbuckled my belt. I try to think of what I can say to let him know that I can’t follow.
    He looks down on me, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. “Please,” he whispers.
    My defenses crumble. I take his hand.
    We walk up the white steps to the entrance. My bag weighs heavy on my shoulder. Why didn’t I leave it in the car? I can’t go back now. I’m going to have to hope that security isn’t that concerned with things coming in today.
    They don’t even glance at us as we enter. I’m not sure if it’s because Damon’s royalty, or because they’re too busy muttering into their walkie-talkies.
    “Your Highness,” a young security guard flags us down. “This way, please.”
    “Lead the way.” Damon’s voice is hard. I’m a bit taken aback. He can be imposing when he wants to be. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. He is royalty.
    The guard swipes a card, then leads us down a sterile hallway. Unlocking a heavy door, he ushers us into a room.
    “The director will be with you shortly.” Bowing, he leaves us.
    We’re alone. The lights are so bright that they hurt. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust.
    Whipping off his sunglasses, Damon stalks to one of the tables. The false crown is there, on a silver sensor. Its weight is displayed in red LEDs. I feel a flutter of pride. The replica is 317 grams, just like the original. I’m good at what I do. So why does his expression make me want to throw it all away?
    I stand beside him, peering at the crown. “Is this what this is all about?”
    “Yes. It’s fake.” He slams a fist on the table. The crown jumps, and a sensor beeps a warning.
    “How can you tell?”
    He lets out a long breath. “The color is off in the gems. They’re too cloudy, and the metal is dull.”
    “It’s not yours, is it?”
    “No. I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.” His shoulders slump. “It’s for my future bride. I would happily give it to her, if I could just find her.” He glances at me. “Sorry. I don’t mean to dump all this on you.”
    “It’s fine. You’re upset.”
    Damon turns to pace the room. “I’m not going to be the only one. My father will rake me over the coals. He was against me lending it to the museum. He didn’t think it would be safe. And of course, he’s right again.”
    He leans heavily against the counter. “I just didn’t want it in the palace. Didn’t want its weight hanging over me. I haven’t looked at it in years. All it does is remind me of what a failure I am. I need to find a wife. I need to. I’ve been told this since I was five. It’s so silly and so important all at once. And I don’t know if I can do it. Is the right one even out there? How do I know which ones like me instead of my title?”
    “Mmm.” I can’t suppress a rueful smile.
    “What is it? Too much information?”
    “No, I know that feeling. Most guys I meet like me for this.” I run a hand down my body. “It’ll be fine for a while, but then I’ll realize that they don’t listen to me. Or like me at all. I’m just convenient arm candy to them. But they’re all nice in the beginning. It’s hard to pick out the good guys.”
    “So what did you do?”
    “I stopped trying.”
    He scoffs. “Then you’re in good company.” Damon brushes a light finger over the crown. “You should have seen the middle stone on the real thing.”
    I swallow. I don’t want to tell him that I saw it this morning.
    “It was so green, so clear. It would make you weep if you had any poetry in your