An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 18

The next afternoon, Titus and Dante stumbled in. I patched up Dante with no issues, aside from the verbal jabs he took at my medical skills and I pressed against his wound longer than necessary.

" Oops." I said when he hissed at the pain.

He sent me a withering glare but I pretended not to notice, by the time I cleaned myself up, the bathroom door was open and he had left.

" Good, you're here." Dante said when he noticed me.

He had a hand pressed against his side and the other reaching inside his jacket.

" This is a map of the surrounding cities. We know that the person who framed you two is most likely a higher ranking sweetliar and is quite experienced, he won't make mistakes. It's been three weeks since the robbery and he has yet to sell the necklace. Knowing this, we can safely assume he's going to either be here or here." He used his index finger to circle two cities.

Titus walked forward, " Hita and Joria. They both are hosting auctions in the coming days. We'll split up and reach more ground."

" How are you so certain that he wants to sell at an auction, wouldn't it be smarter to sell to a private buyer?"

Dante actually looked impressed for a split second, " Normally yes, but with private buyers there is always a risk that it's a sting operation and the fact that he has the queen's jewelry. He won't risk it. It's not in his character to."

" So it's settle. Titus and I will head to Hita and you can go to Joria." Dante had a satisfied look on his face.

" Or Titus and I can go to Joria and you can go to Hita." I said.

He couldn't be serious. I had to be saved last time, there was no way I could be trust unsupervised in an auction. And maybe a small part of me wanted to be alone with Titus.

" Or you both can go to Hita and I can go alone to Joria." Titus said, his eyes sliding between me and Dante.

Dante and I stared at each other and I could almost see the hatred in his eyes. Lovely.

But he shrugged as if he tolerated me and agree and I had no choice but to nod.

Dante had to leave soon after, citing something about meeting someone, leaving Titus and I alone.

We hadn't had a proper conversation since the in the sweetliar's court and him saying that I would never have to see him again.

" Sweetheart, what song do you want to hear?"
He sat down on the piano bench and looked up at me expectingly.

" I don't know, play me your favorite song."

His grin widened, " Good choice."

The song was slow, heavy chords and something about it was nostalgic.

When he finished, he let his fingers hover above the keys as if he was remembered something.

" Promise me you'll stay safe when you go with Dante, he has a tendency to take things too far and I don't want you wrapped up in his problems."

I don't know if it was because of the softness of his words or the way he looked up at me so innocently with those crimson eyes but I don't think I've seen a more beautiful person than the boy sitting in front of me.

My breath hitched and I nodded.

He ducked his head like he remembered something and played another song, this one much more light hearted.