To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) Read Online Free PDF Page B

clean-shaven jaw. Rose found herself distracted and following the line of his fingers over his jaw. For barely five in the morning, Nathan Hawk looked rather dashing.
    Stop it!
    She tossed a quick glance toward the locked system. “Besides, it’s too late, anyway, because it’s already stolen. So much for your locking system, Nathan.”
    For the split second it took him to comprehend what she’d just uttered, Rose actually felt sorry for him.
    “Don’t be ridiculous. My lock is impenetrable.”
    “Only if you never talked about your ideas.”
    “Your father opened it?”
    “No, Nathan. I opened it. But I didn’t steal the diamond. The real one was already gone.”
    Nathan shoved her out of the way, and with the moon casting a rose-tinted glow over this crystal haven, he decoded the brass pins in perfect sequence.
    Cupping the diamond as one would an egg, he withdrew it and held it up to the light. “It sparkles.”
    “As do all diamonds, but it’s still fake.”
    He cast a disbelieving glare at her, his mouth grim and eyes reproachful. “You’re lying.”
    She shrugged, though she felt not one ounce of uncaring. Everything centered on getting the real diamond so her father would be freed. “Believe what you like, but firstly, I did not steal it. The diamond was already replaced. This one”—she waved toward the replica in his hand—“is still paste. And while it’s rather beautiful, it was a quickly made copy.”
    “How do you know?”
    She couldn’t hide her surprise. “You ask me this? Have the years clouded your memory?” She stood a little taller. “I am the daughter of the finest paste-jewelry maker in all of England.”
    “And a thief, it seems.”
    She stamped her foot. “I am no thief, but that diamond is still a fake. See those bubbles? They form when the paste dries too fast. Either someone was in a hurry, or they’re a poor craftsman.”
    “Or craftswoman.”
    Nathan’s hard eyes offered no hint of leniency, but still she couldn’t hold back the tiny hint of a smile at his statement. “How do I know you’re not hiding the real diamond in your pocket?”
    “I told you, I’m no thief.”
    “And yet you’re here trying to steal the Pasha Star. That’s thievery in my book.” He took a step toward her. “I think a quick search is in order.”
    “No!”
    Nathan’s brows arched. “No? I don’t think you have the option of refusing. Firstly, you’re outnumbered, and secondly, I think we should call the constabulary.”
    Rose looked every which way, then straight back at Nathan. “You leave me no choice.”
    “None whatsoever.”
    Rose held her hand up to stall his progression toward her. “I’ll empty my pockets.” And she began pulling her pockets inside out. Trousers first, then her jacket. “See, no diamond.”
    The glint of hope she’d seen in Nathan’s eyes faded.
    “Sorry to disappoint you.” She went to step away.
    “Not so fast. How about the other pocket?”
    She feigned ignorance. “What pocket?”
    “You know very well, Rosie. The one your father insisted we always had when delivering jewels about town.”
    “I don’t have one.”
    “Sure you do. You’re a dutiful daughter. You wouldn’t go out without it. Now show me.”
    She didn’t move. So he hadn’t forgotten that life. Slowly, she rolled up one leg of her trousers, exposing her leg and the hidden pocket. She glanced up at him. “See, nothing there either. Now,” she said, rolling back the trouser leg, and straightening, “I think you can rule out that I stole the real Pasha Star.” She only hoped he didn’t want to inspect beneath her shirt.
    His nod was nearly imperceptible. “If you didn’t make this paste replica, then who did?”
    “Neither I nor my father would ever make such a poor copy.”
    “And where is Alex, by the way?”
    Yes, where?

Chapter Four
    “He has other things to do,” Rose said.
    “While you try to steal the diamond?”
    “No. I told you I did not. But it