An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 19

Dante had a firm hand on my wrist, jerking me around at every available moment. His grip was so tight, I could see the red marks.

Xia may have a large number of sweetliars but they didn't hurt anyone well not physically. Hita was a different stories, muggings and murders were common and as I passed a group of men ambushing another, I swallowed thickly and turned away.

We ducked into an alley and arrived at a small doorway. Two buff looking men stared us down as we approached.

" Dante Fellows, serial number 384910."

One of the men stepped forward to scan his tattoo then turned to me expectingly.

" Well show him your tattoo." Dante said.

I looked at him in disbelief, he knew who I was right?

When I didn't move Dante sighed dramatically and turned to the men.

" My sister got her tattoo two days ago and she's embarrassed because the artist messed up."

The two men still didn't move and Dante continued.

" I told her she should put it in a more how you say appropriate place but she didn't listen. And now my mom is talking about getting it laser removed. Do you know how expensive-"

He was cut off by one of the men who turned to the other and shrugged.

" Okay you can go in with your brother and when you get your tattoo next time, just ask for it on your arm. Trust me."

I nodded, my face warming.

The men each grabbed a hold of the door and pulled it open. It was cold and Dante quickly made his way across the room leaving me to scurry after him.

The auction was almost identical to the auction that Titus I attended a few days ago. The same round tables, the same loud speakers, the same music.

Only this time, I wasn't foolish enough to linger at the tables. I kept my pace quick and my hands tuck into my jacket.

Dante didn't glance back once to check on me, in fact he didn't stop until he reached the velvet ropes of a door.

" Name?" The man with dark eyes said, he looked tired and bored.

" Dante Fellows."

The man checked the list and nodded before opening the door for us.

We were late, the auction had already started and judging from the expressions of the attendees, it had been for a short while.

Dante stayed in the back and snapped to a chair as if I was dog asked to sit. When I stared at him, he sighed and pushed me down to sit.

" Don't get conned while I'm gone. Please." He said and quickly took a seat in the front row.

I don't even know how many different items were auctioned off, there was clothes, important papers, and jewelry but none of it was the one we were looking for.

I must have dozed off because the next time I opened my eyes I was laying on the shoulder of a very pretty girl.

I immediately jerked upright, my cheeks flushing when I noticed my drool on her bare shoulder.

" I'm so sorry."

The girl was looking straight ahead at the auction. She was very pretty with platinum almost white hair but she couldn't have been two or three years older than me. Eccentric blue eyes, and dark skin. She was dressed up in a way that she made me feel underdress.

" It's okay, I didn't want to wake you." She smiled prettily and reached into her bag and pulled out a small cloth to clean herself.

" So do you have your eye on anything?"

I shook my head and she nodded in agreement.

" I know, me too. I cane here because my mom told me that there was a lot of good stuff here but so far everything is so last season."

" Your mom works here?" I asked.

" Yup, she's right there."

I looked in the direction she nodded to and sure enough a women in dark clothing was auctioning off items.

" So like is there any jewelry here today?" I asked coolly, I hoped it was as calm as it sounded.

" Yeah, tons. Sweetliars love to put their stolen jewelry up for auctions, thinking they're safe from sting operations when really my mom takes thirty percent of each cut. Most people are better off just taking the risk." The girl leaned back in her chair.

" Is there any diamond necklaces?"

The girl looked at me before turning her attention to her mother.

" No, the queen's necklace isn't here."

I stiffened at her words but she merely laughed and reached over to pat my shoulder.

" I know you're the girl on the news and when I saw Titus, I knew you both were framed. Titus isn't stupid enough to steal from the royal family. Don't worry, I won't say anything. So what's your name?"

" Sia." I said, I didn't know why but I trusted this girl, well I trusted her enough.

" Jacy, nice to meet you. So Sia." She started like she was testing out the way my name fit in her mouth.

" Are you here alone?"

For some odd reason, the question didn't sit well with me.

" No, I'm here with a friend. He's in the front. Speaking of which, I need to talk to him about something."

Jacy nodded.

Dante was not happy to see me at all. He quickly stood up and we both made it to the side of the room.

" The necklace is not here." I said before he could yell at me.

" What you mean?"

" I just talked to the daughter of the lady running this auction. They don't have the queen's necklace."

Dante narrowed his eyes, " Who?"

I vaguely gestured to Jacy's direction and he made a beeline towards her.

Jacy seemed pleased to see Dante and rose to her feet to greet him.

" Babe how you been?"

I choked, I physically choked. Babe? But Dante liked guys and I was positive the person standing in front of me was a girl.

Dante grimaced, " Don't call me that Jacy. We really aren't together."

" Sia, meet Jacy my fake fiancee and Jacy meet Sia the girl who's in love with my ex-boyfriend."

I didn't even know what to think except an appropriate what the hell.