An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 31

His face paled slightly. " That is the real necklace, I only had one fake made."

I glanced at Titus who was staring intently at his old mentor.

" Titus, I've trained you since you were a child. Would I lie to you?"

" You framed me for a heist I didn't do. I hardly think lying is worse than that." His voice was sharp.

I couldn't imagine what he was going through, his old mentor, a possible father figure essentially raising him had thrown under the bus and framed him.

Cesar's face softened, " That was never my intention, you just happened to be in the wrong place, wrong time."

" Wait. Who made the fake?" I said. There no other explanation than the jewel maker taking it for themselves.

My heart was beating so fast, mostly because I knew the answer to my question. Only one person could make a fake so great, that it would even the trick the man who stole the original.

I wanted him to say a different name, any other name would be fine just not this one.

" Yselle Dark."

There was a murmur of surprise to my left and I felt Titus's hand on my arm.

This had to be some kind of joke. Some kind of sick coincidence that the fates had bestowed upon me.

My own grandmother had helped the man I had been looking for for almost six weeks. I shouldn't be surprise, she always did have a good eye for jewelry.

I turned on my heels, clutching the necklace in my hand.

" Sweetheart. Where are you going?" Titus matched my pace.

" Home. I don't know. I'm tired Titus. I'm so tired. I thought this was over, I thought-" I stopped in middle of the hallway, tears pricking my eyes.

" I know, I know. Hey, we found Cesar. All we need now is necklace and we already know where that is too." His thumb brushed away my tears and I leaned into his palm.

" You have me. Even when all of this over, even when you return back to your life. Even when lint beats my ass because I'm by your side. I'll be here"

I laughed, " His name is Lin."

He cracked a grin, " Is it? Well I suppose that makes more sense than lint."

Aldan was back in the ballroom when we caught up with him. He looked flushed and sweaty, he clearly had been rushing through the hallway.

" Did you find him?"

I smiled bitterly, " Yeah, but seems like the sweetliar got scammed himself. The necklace is a replica and my grandmother made it."

" Gods Sia. I'm so sorry." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

" It's fine."

Titus reached for my hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. Adan's eyes flicked to the motion but didn't say anything.

" I don't believe we've met." Adan said,
" Adan."

" Titus."

Adan turned his attention back to me,
" Well I'm close with your grandparents. We can get the necklace easily."