THIEF: Part 5 Read Online Free PDF Page A

stairs.I hear her shout, “Not up here,” to Alex, down in the foyer.
                  “They’re probably worried about you,” he says against my finger.I pull it away, nodding, and look for my shoes.The heel of one is in the puddle we made.The one Silas brought out of me, from a place I didn't even know existed and still don't fully understand, like so much else.
                  “I’ll wait here,” he says, “’til everyone leaves.”He sits on the trunk, lacing up his boots with rigid, jerky motions.“I don’t want to get you in trouble or anything.Promise.Honestly, I…I didn’t plan on any of this happening.”
                  “Me neither,” I sigh, tucking my hair behind my ear.I slip my heels back on, listening for any steps outside.The hall’s empty.
                  “Bye, Erin,” he whispers, as I open the door and slip outside.
                  I take one final look at Silas, remembering the last time I did this—the last time I shut a door on him: his expression resigned but with a single spark, knowing I would leave, but hoping against every odd that I might keep the door open.That I might invite him through it, into my life again.
                  “Bye, Silas.”I keep my eyes on his as the door shuts, latching into place and closing us off, all over again.Just like last time, I realize, we don’t even kiss goodbye.
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
     
                  “There you are!The reception’s been over for half an hour.Where were you?”
                  Alex looks half-worried, half-pissed.Without thinking, I say the one thing I know he won’t get angry about.
                  “I…I feel kind of sick.”
                  His face softens immediately, then moves to complete worry.“Are you okay?Should we go to the hospital?Dr. Brody’s number is in my phone—”
                  “No…no, I’ll be okay.”I feign lightheadedness, then rub my back, as though my kidneys are sore.“I think I just need to get to bed.”
                  He nods, in full caretaker mode.It’s a role he’s used to, probably more than being my actual boyfriend.Maybe that’s why sex with Silas is so different, so…primal.He never had to be anything else for me but a boyfriend.
                  I walk to the spot under the stairs behind me as Alex heads to the coatroom for our things.No one on the landing, peering down at me as I look up.No footsteps.Not even a door creaking, checking for clear coasts.True to his word, Silas is waiting for a quick and quiet getaway.The door won’t open until Alex and I are long gone.
                  “Here, babe.”
                  I blink, coming back to the moment as Alex helps me into my peacoat.He layers his on top of my shoulders, the wool thick and heavy, smelling of cologne.
                  “You’ll be cold,” I protest.
                  “I’ll be fine,” he smiles, and kisses my cheek.“It’s you I’m worried about.”
                  Not for the first time, guilt flares in my stomach.I think about telling him, right here, right now. I slept with Silas. Done.
                  Except, it wouldn’t be done.I’d have to explain everything and watch the pain on his face as I did it.I’d have to lose him, on a night when I’ve gained so much.
                  He doesn’t deserve that. You don’t deserve him , I tell myself.
                  Before we leave, I look up through the center of the staircase one last time.Nothing—no hand on the railing, hesitating, no face looking back into mine.Just the ceiling of the mansion, swirling and so far away.
                  When we get to the hotel, I’m grateful for my lie in a twisted way; Alex doesn’t even mention sex tonight, immediately