Chapter Six

Collin is tasked with babysitting me tonight while the others are out. A task he doesn’t seem to have a problem with. Earlier, Jaxon pulled him aside, and the two engaged in a rather intense exchange before Jaxon pulled on leather gloves and left, carrying a suspicious-looking backpack.

Left to ourselves, we popped a frozen pizza into the oven, and twenty minutes later we’re slaughtering it together on a massive leather couch in the massive living room while watching Phineas and Ferb—Collin’s choice—on a massive flat-screen telly.

I like this guy. He’s awesome. Mad fun. Like a college frat boy who’s loath to grow up just yet.

After pizza, I thirst for more information, but I don’t want to ask outright. So, I begin yammering about useless facts I know will bore the crap out of him, until he eventually takes over and starts talking, giving me answers to questions I never had to ask.

I’m a genius, agree with me.

Here’s what I learn. It took him four auditions to make the open slot on Jaxon’s team. He describes this moment as the biggest opportunity of his life, explaining that making Jaxon’s team is a major feat in the con man’s world. Just to be allowed to audition is the biggest compliment imaginable. To actually make the team is considered reaching the height of one’s career. First, auditions are rare—if at all—and second, the best of the best of the best compete against each other to be selected.

When I ask him to explain the whole auditioning process, he closes down.

But I learn everyone’s ages. Collin is twenty-six. Jaxon, twenty-eight. Kavon, thirty-two. Eduardo, thirty. And Jo, just twenty.

At ten minutes to midnight, we do the dishes before making our way upstairs to the bedroom.

Collin showers while I rummage through his drawers for something appropriate for slumbering next to a man I’ll not be copulating with. I settle for another plain T-shirt and underwear.

While I’m showering and going over everything Collin and I talked about, a thought comes to me. Collin’s possible reason for keeping me so close, for letting the others think we’re having sex.

It makes me a bit uneasy.

I have to be sure.

When I emerge from the bathroom, the lights are off, the telly flickering in the darkness. Collin is on his back under the covers, texting on his phone.

I pad across the room and climb into bed with him, snuggling under the covers. I face him. He’s typing out an apology to someone called Clarissa for canceling their plans tonight.

I wait until the message is sent before I speak. “You know who I am, don’t you?”

Who I am, my unusual background…and who my famous sister is…

Just like that, he goes rigid. For a long time, he says nothing, but his reaction is all the answer I need.

At length, he says, “I got hold of your purse before the others could. Had one of my contacts run a background on you.”

I’d wondered, when Jaxon asked my name, why he’d never checked my ID—driver’s license and such—seeing as he’d kept my purse and phone.

He never checked because he doesn’t have my purse.

“You hid my ID from your boss?”

Setting his cell face down on his chest, Collin sighs. “It doesn’t matter that you gave him the wrong name. Jo’s damn good at what she does. She’s the hacker, the digger, the shit-finder. He’ll find out who you are, soon enough.”

“And you’re letting him believe we’re together to…protect me from getting seduced and conned,” I finish for him.

Should I be flattered? Or pissed off…?

“Because of the money?” I have to ask.

He shifts onto his side to face me. “No. I see you, Nerd Girl. I see your innocence. I see that you’re a good girl. And maybe that’s why I like you so much. But I also see the way you look at him. I see that you like him, you want him. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

My skin heats from the inside, and I’m thankful we’re in darkness. I force a nervous laugh. “What can he take from me? I’m not the one who’s rich. My sister is.”

“Doesn’t matter. If he wants something, he’ll smoothly manipulate you into getting it for him, without you even realizing you’re being manipulated. Until it’s too late. He has the rep he has for good reason.”

I don’t know what that rep is. But I don’t ask. “Except,” I say, “I know him and what he’s about, yeah? My guard will always be up. Therefore, it’s highly unlikely he’d succeed at conning me.”

Collin lets out a half snort, half laugh and shifts onto his back again. “You say that because you don’t know him. Why don’t we just keep up the charade for a while longer? Then you can decide if you still want to give yourself to him.”

I gave a sardonic laugh. “You say that like it’s a possibility he’ll take me if I offer myself to him. He hardly even tolerates my presence…” I trail off, realizing how pathetic it is to fish for compliments and confirmation. I’m not a woman who seeks validation from some bloke. I’ve never even liked a bloke like that. Never looked at a man with lust before. Never cared about having a man like me before.

Another snort-laugh from Collin breaks through my disturbed thoughts. “Good night, Nerd Girl.” He rolls over to his other side, giving me his back.

For a few silent moments, I lay staring at it, contemplating the ramifications of me possibly wanting to give myself to a con artist who specializes in breaking women’s hearts and bank accounts. Because isn’t that exactly what Collin is saying about Jaxon?

Why doesn’t any of that matter to me? Why am I feeling lust instead of caution? Why am I fascinated instead of scared? Why am I seeking to get closer instead of running for the hills? Why do I not care that he’s a criminal, and being attracted to him is wrong?

Why?

“I need to know, Col,” I whisper to his back.

He sighs. “You’re here, right?”

My answer is unsure. “And?”

“And none of us know why you’re here. No one but him.” Through a yawn, he finishes, “That’s your answer.”