The Con Artist

Grey's POV

I saw her the moment she swept past the hall.

There was something about her that made it impossible for me to look away.

She was dressed in a black gown that hugged her body like a second skin. And her new look - fringes with spectacles - didn't stop her from looking good. She walked with a grace not spared for someone like her.

She was a thief. But she carried the presence of a princess.

I watched keenly as she stared at the red carpet and the personas that walked it. I could already read her mind. Sara Anderson was certainly dreaming of the big life. The promise of which was tied to this mission. And I hoped she had good news already.

Carlos had brought in tins of hard drugs last night. Everyone knew that. But no one had the evidence. I didn't care what illegal business he did. All I cared about was the fact that he dared me by making me his competitor.

"Mr. Grey, a pleasure seeing you tonight, " a lady was saying.

I nodded with a curt smile while my gaze, firmly sealed behind dark shades, was trained on her as she grabbed a flute of champagne and walked to a seat. Her head was crouched over her phone, smiling over something.

Was it a real boyfriend or someone she was about to trick?

But I found my heart pricking with envy, wishing to be the only one that made her smile. Then I saw Charles walk over to her. I gulped down my drink.

Charles, the Casanova. It was men like him that kept Sara in business.

But as he started talking, I noticed she didn't raise her head. If anything, she looked tense. And Charles' face was lit with excitement.

Then it occurred to me.

Of course. She must have conned him.

While it would be fun to watch, I knew what was at stake. I abandoned my table and drink, striding through the crowd to the scene.

"Irene," I called.

When Charles raised his gaze to me, I smiled. "Charly, pleasure seeing you. It's been a long time since you visited the golf course."

He chortled. "Let's say I've found other hobbies."

Hobbies like getting conned?

I grinned with a jealousy that was new to me and frightened me.

"I had seen Irene ..." I pointed towards Sara. "I was coming to say hi to her."

His face fell, literally. "Oh. I thought she was somebody else."

I slapped his shoulder. "Time for an appointment with an eye doctor."

He laughed at the joke and started walking away. "I'll see you at the golf course this weekend, Grey."

"Sure, Baker."

I heard her exhale. She was holding her breath all this time.

But we couldn't have a conversation. Not without raising suspicions from Carlos. I wanted to sit with her and talk. It was a strong desire I fought. I didn't understand what it was about her that made her irresistible.

She didn't even look up to look at me. Her eyes remained on the screen of her phone and she was back to typing and smiling while I stood ignored like a piece of furniture.

I walked away from her and returned to my seat. She had vanished by the time I tried to take a peek at her.

Sara Anderson.

Her name was curled at the tip of my tongue. Now, I was looking forward to our date. Mostly because I was going to have a private moment with her.

Wasn't that crazy?

Was she conning me too?

I tapped my finger on the wooden table and even against the door as I headed home. Back in my living space, thoughts of Sara kept invading my mind.

It must have been that black gown she wore. There was always something about a black gown.

But as I slipped into the bathroom, I knew it was far from that. So many women were dressed in black but it was her that caught my attention. It was her that made my heart stir after a long time.

And damn, I was running insane from constantly thinking about her. Her lips. Even her defiant gaze when she had sauntered up to me in her hotel room.

As I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, I realised that the guilty thoughts of Anne were slipping away. I felt my heart beating, my blood surging, and when I walked towards her that evening at City hall, I hadn't felt empty.

It was dawning on me now that I was falling in love with a con artist.