How to Rob a Billionaire

Chapter 4 - A Sneaky Mouse

Restraining my smile, I motioned for Secretary Coy who presented a silver box from his pocket.

"What's this?" the woman asked.

"Before we take you out, we must give you a leash," I said.

"Huh?"

***

An hour later, the three of us stepped into a private boutique with a handful of security. Women's clothing lined ornate railings while gold mannequins displayed some of their latest collections.

"Was it really necessary to give me a collar?" Miss Corday asked while pulling at the black velvet choker around her neck.

I raised a brow.

"Would you rather I planted the tracker under your skin?"

"But I can't even take this thing off," she whined while fidgeting like a dog. "Do you really expect me to sleep with a choker?"

"Again, I can arrange for the tracker to change location."

"Oh, whatever." She waved me off and finally stopped fiddling.

A woman with a perfectly straight bob came to greet us.

"Welcome to La Dame D'or. We were expecting you, Mister Illion."

"Thank you for having us," I replied. "I would like to find a dress for my friend here. Something a bit revealing that would stand out."

The woman's eyes glinted as she smiled.

"I see you are the type to show off what is yours... Don't worry, Sir, I shall take good care of her." She then glanced at Miss Corday and that sparkle was gone. Her gaze stayed especially long on the woman's short legs. "I'm sure I can find something for her figure..."

She turned to scour the store.

I checked the time on the Cronos before turning to Miss Corday. I reckoned my little thief would be nervous in a place like this, but instead she looked like a fox inside a henhouse. She approached a dress with delicate gold buttons, fingers brushing the fabric.

Stepping up behind her, I leaned in close, my voice a low whisper against her ear.

"Only steal what I pay you to steal."

Instantly, the woman tensed and glared up at me. It was the first time she had properly met my eyes today and I couldn't help the curve in my lip as she tried to hide her shaking hands.

I remember having a pet hamster nearly twenty years ago who made just such a face.

"That wasn't in the deal," she grumbled.

"You clearly can't read contracts."

"And you clearly can't read a room."

She turned on her heel, following the lady to the dressing room as if she were walking into a battlefield. Her hands stayed pressed to her sides, betraying her nerves despite her quick retort.

I glanced at the dress, shaking my head at one of the missing buttons.

Sneaky little mouse, I thought.

"Taming this one will be hard," Secretary Coy said.

We moved toward the sofas while waiting.

"You mentioned you wanted a cat," I recalled. "Why not take Miss Corday instead? I'm not sure if keeping her at my residence is wise."

"She is no cat, Sir," he replied. "Cats are responsible with their freedom. They roam, but always return. This one will likely run the second she sees an open door. In this case, your residence is the perfect cage."