An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 14

We went down the ladder with no issues and Titus stopped to say bye to Squirrel.

It was dark now. Not a single smart soul out but here we were. A merchant and an injured sweetliar roaming the streets, just begging to get mugged.

" Hey." I started, " Did you and Dante ever.."

" Date?" Titus finished, I didn't have to look to know he was smirking.

" I guess we did. A few years back but it didn't work out." There was no sadness in his voice, just fact.

" I didn't realize you liked men," I said, my face warming. I had just assumed that he liked girls, but the statement about me not being his type suddenly made had a different meaning.

" I like everyone." He said easily, " I don't have a preference."

" Did you love him?" The question comes out almost harsh and I didn't know why I was so bothered by the way Titus looked at him.

" Sweetheart, are you jealous?"

" No, I'm just curious, is it even possible for sweetliars to fall in love?"

Titus glanced over at me and for the first time, he looked almost disappointed.

" We're human, I'm human Sia. I have feelings. I'm not the monster you have created in your mind." His voice was sharp.

" I know you're not a monster. You're just-"

He laughed, it was humorless, " I'm just what? Different? Well, guess what? I'm not. I'm a sweetliar. I've earned this." He pulled at his collar, dark ink coming into view.

Titus moved closer with each word so that he was mere inches from my face. His crimson eyes flaring with controlled anger.

I bit my tongue to refrain from saying anything else.

Finally, he sighed, " I'll just take you home."

**

Titus was gone a week this time. Harley's school was on break and she pestered me every minute when Titus was coming back to visit.

" I don't know," I said.

" Did you guys get into a fight?" She peeked over her book. She wasn't reading, her eyes had lingered on the same page for ten minutes now.

" I- No. We didn't." I ran my hands through my hair.

" It's okay. You'll make up." She said, " I know it. I see the way you guys look at each other, it's just like April and Charlie."

My eyes narrowed and I snatched the book from her hands.

" What books have you been reading?"

Harley grabbed onto my arm, " Nothing bad, wait I'm just getting to the part where April confesses her love. Wait please."

I let her rip the book back into her hands. She held the book close to her chest.

" But I'm serious, Titus looks at you like you're the only one in the room."

There was an aching in my chest at her words but I cast the thoughts aside.

" You shouldn't read too much romance. It'll warp your views on romances. Not every boy can be as perfect as fictional ones." I flick her on her forehead and leave her to her reading.

It's a rare day, Jack had received some days off from the bakery and was currently cooking lunch. His knife was securely tucked at his waist.

Jack has been so grateful when Titus showed up with his knife in hand. Sure Jack still didn't approve of me teaming up with Titus but he still gave him a half compliment. Although Titus didn't stay long, much to Gilda and Harley's protest.

" You're hurt. Let me patch you up." I said.

He grimaced, " I'm fine Sia. Just go inside."

" Titus, I'm sorry. Just let me look at your injuries." I didn't know why I was pushing so hard. Titus was a grown adult, he could take care of himself.

Again he pushes me away, " It's a bruise. I'll survive." His tone was harsh and dismissive and I didn't press on.

He left after that.

I reach forward and snatch a piece of meat off the cutting board. It was still steaming and hot as I popped it in my mouth.

Jack sent me a glare and for a second I was afraid he might use the knife on me but he continued to slice the meat.

" Still no Titus?"

" No," I answered.

" He's been gone a week, are you sure he even has any plans of coming back?"

" I don't know," I said honestly.

" What did you do?" Jack asked.

" Nothing, I was just jealous," I said, the words were foreign in my mouth and I glanced up to see Jack place down the knife.

" Why? Do you like Titus or something?"

I stared down at my hands, still marked from when I punched the glass a few weeks earlier.

" I don't know," I admit.

Jack pretended to choke, " Sia. I just why? I rather you date my brother than Titus."

" You think this is ideal for me? Gods. It's fine. Once we get the necklace back and I clear my name, he'll leave and everything will go back to the way it was before."

" Sia!" Harley was screaming for me and I immediately ran into the living room, Jack behind me.

The TV was on and Harry was clutching the remote desperately then I heard the news anchor.

" Today, Guards have released a sketch of a female linked to the queen's robbery."

There was a sketch of my face and my eyes widened. The girl they had looked similar to me not a complete replica but enough for me to get stopped if I was spotted.

" Please call 398-364-XXXX if you have any information regarding the suspects. Again Titus Gales and his accomplice are considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach them."

I let out a shaky breath.

" I have to find Titus," I said.

" I want to come," Harley said and I couldn't help but smile at her.

Jack and I exchanged glances and I can see in his eyes that he's nervous.

" No, you can't come. It's almost lunchtime and Jack made your favorite wraps." I reach forward to smooth a section of hair away from her face.

She pouted and I know she's scared for me.

" Hey, what happens to the female main characters in the books you read?"

" They survive." She said.

" They survive," I repeated.