To Have and to Heist(107)

“We kicked ass in that warehouse,” Emma said. “Chloe took Bella down with just one punch.”

Chloe held up her fist. “I bruised my knuckles.”

Gage took her hand and pressed his lips to her bruises. Chloe melted in front of my eyes. This time, the only thing I felt when I saw them together was joy. Nothing would come between me and my bestie, but now two people would have her back.

Anil walked in, his coat dripping from the rain. He had none of his usual enthusiasm. No funny hat or gamer T-shirt. No bounce to his step. No sparkle in his eyes. He didn’t even have an apple in his pocket.

I’d had a bad feeling all night, and Anil’s face confirmed it. “What’s wrong?”

“I had the real necklace and I lost it.” He slumped down in the nearest chair.

Everyone in the room seemed only mildly surprised. I shared the feeling. After what we’d been through, I felt like nothing could shock me anymore.

“The night we did the first heist, I went downstairs to check for another safe and found the one in the office,” he said. “I opened it with the same combination. I saw the necklace and replaced it with the replica I had in my pocket. Simi said she didn’t trust Jack so I didn’t say anything in front of him.” His gaze slid to me. “You didn’t answer my texts that night, and then you were always with him and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want him to know I had it, and I was worried that if I gave it to you, he might steal it when you were in bed . . . together . . .” He cleared his throat. “Asleep.”

I was tempted to slap myself across the face, but then I would have had a sore face and there would be more than enough time to beat myself up when he was done.

“You said you liked surprise parties,” he continued. “I thought I’d wait until after the wedding and we could have a surprise party and not invite Jack, and the necklace would be the surprise. Meantime, we’d have fun pulling off a second heist.” He gave a weak smile. “You always made it sound so easy. I didn’t think any danger would be involved.”

I had no words. No words.

“But then everything went wrong.” His voice wavered. “After the dance was over, Rose came to tell me what had happened. I checked my phone and saw all the texts. I didn’t want to text you that I had the necklace in case Jack saw your phone. I tried to call but you didn’t answer. Finally, I went looking for Jack. When I found him . . .”

My heart sank into my stomach. “You told him.”

“I had to,” he said. “I was in a total panic. I couldn’t get in touch and you were chasing after a fake. I was going to text you then, but Jack was worried when I told him no one was answering their phone. He said someone might have your phones and it wasn’t safe. I wanted to go and find you guys right away, but Jack said the necklace wasn’t secure in my house and that my parents were in danger. He said we needed to get it out of there and I couldn’t go alone.” He heaved a sob. “I’m sorry. I chose my parents over you.”

“It’s okay, Anil.” I patted his leg. “Parents are parents. We all understand.”

“We went to my house, and I got the necklace from my book safe—it’s a safe that looks like a book.” He bent over, shoved his hands through his hair. “My mother is always going through my room and there aren’t many places to hide things.”

“Dude,” Gage said. “We need to get you out of there.”

“She insisted that we have something to eat. I don’t usually bring friends over and she was so excited. I left the book with Jack and followed her into the kitchen to try and explain that my work colleagues might be in danger, and I had to go, but she just shoved a bowl of pakoras in my hand, and when I went back to the living room, Jack was gone.”

“He took the necklace,” Emma gritted out. “The bastard.”

“I don’t know how he got away because the van was still there,” Anil said. “I drove around the streets trying to find him. I tried everyone’s phone again and then I called Rose.”

“He was utterly distraught,” Rose said. “He was going to go and find you alone. Can you imagine? A young boy in an industrial park at midnight.”

“I’m twenty-five,” Anil said stiffly.

“You’re young to me,” Rose said, not unkindly. “I told him to come right over and we’d all go together. That’s when I knew I had to dig out my rigging and my old cat costume.”

“I am so sorry,” Anil said. “You told me not to trust him. Now Chloe will go to jail, and we won’t have any money, and . . .”

Emma stood so quickly that her chair toppled backward. In three big strides she was across the room.

“Emma . . .” I moved to intercept, but before I could reach her, she wrapped her arms around Anil in a big hug.

“Dude. No apologies. You saved us in that warehouse. I’m pretty sure that bitch was going to off us, too. You fucking rocked.”

Anil shuddered in her arms. “I did?”

“Sending Rose down from the ceiling? Genius. The Nerf dart shooting drone? Also, genius. I even liked the ski mask. It gave you a real badass vibe. When I saw The Butcher in action, I was damn impressed. You got in some good punches. Your left hook could use some work, and you need to turn your body more so you’re not a target, but you did good, Anil.” She released him and gripped his shoulders. “We wouldn’t be alive without you.”