An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 13

I was flying, well flying for two seconds, and then I was falling. I almost gasped as the ground rushed up to meet me. I had jumped too far to the left and cement was going to greet me not a mat.

I shut my eyes and braced for an impact. I felt myself crash into something hard, but it wasn't cement. There was a grunt and then I was on the floor.

Titus moaned under me, " Sweetheart, did I forget to say try to jump in the middle?"

" I'm so sorry, are you hurt?" I reached forward to press on his shoulder and back to feel anything but he seemed unharmed.

" I'm fine." He said, he turned his head, his neck tinged pink.

Titus helped me up and together we parted the curtain and ducked inside.

A sweetliar's court was a place much like a market was to merchants. Somewhere they worked and hung out. It also was a place for them to test their abilities.

The space was large, a bar was set at the very end of the tent, bartenders working quickly. There were multiple chairs, couches, and pillows for patrons to sit on. Music played softly on the speakers above us.

The tent itself was a gorgeous shade of red and everything matched with it.

I spotted Grace first. She was sat in a corner, her blond hair now auburn. A group of sweetliars surrounded her, laughing, chatting. Jack's knife glimmered at her side.

" That's her in the pink dress," I said to Titus.

His lips curled up into a slow smirk,
" Okay, stay somewhere hidden. I'll get your knife back."

I watched him stroll over as if nothing was the matter. Titus easily invited himself down to sit next to Grace and then they were talking.

It didn't take long for someone to notice that I was out of place.

Someone slid down on the seat next to me and I turn to see who it was. It was a boy with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was handsome, the type of handsome that seemed almost unnatural. All sharp lines and no noticeable flaws.

His red shirt was left open, exposing his entire torso, his tattoo was in the same place Titus's was. Gold jewelry hung off of him as if he was a king.

He placed a drink in front of me. It was an auburn shot bur I didn't move to accept it. I didn't like liquor.

" I've never seen you around here." His eyes seemed to sparkle.

" I'm new," I said.

" Hi new, I'm Dante."

His name was familiar and it took a few seconds before I recognized it. He was the most wanted sweetliar in the city.

Dante's face lit up like he knew my thoughts,
" So you've heard of me."

" Mutual friends," I said curtly and turned my attention back to Titus.

Grace was giggling a lot and Titus had leaned in to play with a strand of her hair.

" Oh. I see." Dante laughed.

He moved his arm so now it rested behind my chair and moved close to whisper something.

" We're sweetliars, I can be whoever you want. I can be Titus if that is what you want."

I ignored him.

" What was it Titus always said? Honey? Babe? Sweetheart? Ah sweetheart."

This guy was good, I would give him that.

" Sweetheart if you wanted more time with you, all you had to do was ask. Is that Titus said to you? Did you think you were special?"

There was something in his voice, it was jealousy but towards Titus, towards me.

" If you're looking to scam me, you should move on to your next target. I have thirty pines in my pockets." I said.

Dante smiled but it wasn't warm, " I don't want your money."

" Oh." I met his gaze, I was tired of this game.
" What do you want?"

" I'll make you a deal, how about you tell me where the queen's necklace is and I'll get you whatever want off that girl." His breath brushed against my ear.

" That's a fair deal," I said, my eyes darted to see Titus whispering something to Grace.

" It's too bad I have no idea where the necklace is."

" That's a shame." He said.

Dante glanced to Titus and then back at me. I turned my head so we were eye to eye. He was so close that our noses were almost touching.

His eyes narrowed, " You look familiar."

My own eyes widened and I pulled away just in like to see Titus approach us, Jack's knife in hand.

" Dante." Titus greeted.

" Titus." Dante's neck burned red.

I realized what was going on. Oh.

" Sweetheart, let's go."

" Love, let me tell you one thing. Other people are looking for the necklace and they won't be as nice as me." Dante's hand gripped my arm tightly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Titus's eyes narrowing. Dante released my arm and I watch him stand up and smile down at me before leaving.

I turn and saw that Titus was also staring at Dante but it isn't angry.

I swallow, for an odd reason. It suddenly had become harder to breathe. I rose to my feet and headed for the exit.

The cool air hit me and I relaxed a little. The relief didn't last long because as soon as I set my eyes on the edge, my heart sunk to my stomach.

There wasn't a mat on the other side, I didn't understand why because if the sweetliars put a mat on this side wouldn't it be smart to put it on the other side?

Titus easily jumped and reached the other side. He landed crouched before rising to his feet.

My feet planted firmly on the edge and again I'm was soaring in the air. My eyes lock to the cement and in a matter of moments Titus quickly moved in and I collide into his chest. I had been prepared to hit the cement this time but he had moved so fast into my path of collision.

We tumble to the ground and my head knocked against his jaw. Pain shot up my scalp and I was stunned for a few moments.

Titus was laying flat on his back, his arms wound tightly around me. He had his eyes closed.

" Titus?!"

" Sweetheart not so loud." He said.

He sat up and pressed a hand to his jaw, I could already see the beginnings of a bruise.

" Tell me why I get hurt whenever you're around." His tone was playful but I felt anything but.

" Are you okay?" I ask again, the blood had rushed to my ears.

" I'm okay, you shouldn't worry so much about me. I might get used to it."

We were silent for a few moments.

" Sweetheart as much as I love having you on my lap, can we leave?"