~Annika

Tia finally came out of the bathroom after I had my rampage in the hotel room. Pillows and sheets and even some of the small furniture was strewn across the room. I had called Bentley but he didn't answer me. Between my heartbreak and my frustration, I just had to get it out. I even scared off housekeeping when someone came to check on us. I was pretty embarrassed with myself and the mess I had made.

Tia came up to me as I sat down on what was left of the bed.

"Are you feeling better now?" she asked.

"For now…" I murmured.

"We should probably clean up before Bill gets here."

I nodded then heard my phone ring. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Bentley. I picked it up immediately.

"Bentley?"

"Annika? What is it? Penelope said you called and-"

"What the hell is your problem?" I accused angrily. "Why didn't you tell me that Sly was alive?"

"Whoa, slow down, Annika," Bentley said. "Tell me what happened. How do you know about Sly?"

"He showed up with Carmelita at the Interpol Ball tonight! Bill owns Hastings Corp, Bentley. It was bound to happen that I would find out about Sly eventually."

"Minor setback," he said.

My anger spiked again at that. "Excuse me?"

"Not what I meant," he quickly defended himself. "I just meant that, I didn't want you to get hurt. Once I found out about Sly, I told Penelope and got in touch with Bill and tried to keep it from you. You still got hurt in the end."

"This isn't about me, Bentley. This is about the secret that everyone has been keeping from me. I'm not an idiot. I may not be a genius like you but I know when to give in and leave it alone. Why would you do this to me? You know how much I cared about him, Bentley. You know how much it hurt me that he disappeared. The least you could have done is tell me that he was alive and well. You didn't have to hide it all. You didn't even have to tell me where he was. Just that he was alive. I didn't want to find out this way. And the fact that Bill and Tia have known this whole time…" It made me angrier. I didn't want to tell him that part.

"Annika, I-"

"Shut up," I barely managed to say through the tears. "This conversation is over." I hung up on him and broke down some more.

Tia put her hand on mine.

"I'm so sorry, Scarlett…" she murmured. "It's true that Bill and I knew. We didn't want history to repeat itself."

I paused for a moment and looked to her. "Repeat itself?"

She nodded. "Your mother deeply loved Sly's father. Yet, he chose someone else over her. We didn't want the same fate for you. But here we are… The same place where your mother was. She went and got knocked up instead and never told us who the father was. I don't think she even cared as long as she had a child to pass on the Reeves name. And we never questioned her. It wasn't our place to. She just wanted to channel all those feelings into something more precious."

"She never mentioned that she had feelings for Cooper. She mentioned him a lot but never said anything about any romantic interest."

"Of course she didn't… She never admitted it to anyone. Not even him. But it was obvious to all of us that knew her. Bill and I didn't want that to happen between you and Sly. It seems that it would've happened no matter what…"

I hugged Tia. "It's okay. I understand. I just… I'm just hurt that no one told me. I wish you had…"

"I know, sweetie," she said. "In the meantime though, we should tidy up a bit before Bill gets here. It looks like a war zone."

I laughed as I wiped my tears. "Do you think I won against the room?"

She giggled with me. "Yes. It was definitely a K.O. on your part."

A few hours later Bill came back to the hotel room. He looked around as some of the mess that was left to clean and looked to me and Tia.

"What happened here?" he asked.

"Oh believe me," Tia said. "This is an improvement to how it was. Scarlett completely trashed the place."

"In my defense…" I paused. "You know what? I don't have a good excuse for this." It was the honest truth. I had no reason to completely go crazy like I did. Now that Bill was here, maybe we could sort some things out and I could finally be over this.

Bill put his stuff down then came to me. "I'm going to safely assume that you're feeling a little better."

"A little," I agreed. "But before you start drilling me with questions on what happened, I have a bone to pick with you."

"Oh?" He said as he crossed his massive arms.

"I'm very angry at you for knowing and keeping it from me. But I understand why. So, I won't stay mad."

He chuckled. "I'm glad you understand. Does this mean you've forgiven him too?"

"Hardly," I snorted.

Bill sighed and rubbed his eyes. "In any case… We already have our next job. It's in a few months and while we're getting prepared for it, you, Scarlett, are going to take belly dancing classes."

"Belly dancing? Are you serious?"

"Very. It's an Arabian Masquerade theme and is going to debut some very rare jewels."

At the mention of jewels my thieving senses kicked into overdrive. Bill saw the look on my face and grinned.

"I know exactly what you're thinking, Scarlett, and the answer is hell yeah. We're totally going to pull an operation that night as well as host. You sure you can do this one?"

"I'm in."

I was thankful that Bill had put me through belly dancing classes. Otherwise, I had no idea how I would pull this off. Not only did I have to learn this beautiful dance, I had to dance while balancing a tray of drinks and snacks. I had never been so thankful for my thieving heritage. It didn't take long to train myself in complete balance while moving my body like fluid.

The months went by sluggishly. Every now and again I would go to see Bill in his office to find him talking quietly on the phone. He always ended the call with "Scarlett is listening, I'll call you back." He was obviously talking to someone he didn't want me knowing about. When I had asked him about it later, he simply waved me off. Tia was just as in the dark as I was unfortunately. Even she couldn't get him to spill the beans.

The night of the masquerade had arrived. Bill had me dressed in a deep blue outfit, baring my middle and barely covering my bust. I also had flowing skirts with jingles on them and flowing sleeves that cuffed around my biceps. My feet would be bare for this event but I would have jangles and jewelry all over me as well as my mask. I was actually pretty excited.

The guests rolled in and I went to work dancing around and rolling my body to the beat of the music while serving out trays of snacks and drinks. I couldn't believe how much fun I was having and the heated looks from a lot of the masked gentlemen made the whole experience that much more entertaining for me. I couldn't help but grin to myself at the attention I was getting. Bill noticed as well and pulled me to the side.

"You're pulling way too much attention to yourself," he whispered quietly.

"Oh please," I said. "It'll be fine. I'll be in and out in a flash as soon as the jewels are out."

Just as I had said that, one of the guests came up to me and offered me his hand.

"I beg your pardon, m'lady, but may I ask for one dance?"

I was so shocked. I wasn't expecting to have to dance with someone at this event too. On the other hand, it could give me the cover that I needed in order to pull this heist off.

"Go on, Scarlett," Bill said all too eagerly.

I nodded to him then turned to the man. "I would be honored, sir." I gave him my hand then he led me to the dance floor.

As we started to dance, something about him clicked in me. I knew him from somewhere, I just couldn't get my finger on it. I got a little shifty and he noticed.

"Don't be so nervous," he said. "Right now we're just wasting time until the jewels come out."

As soon as I realized who it was, the host was showing off the jewels. Enormous teardrop emeralds were set into a beautiful necklace piece with matching earrings and bracelets. They were a sight to behold.

The man's hand wrapped around my waist and brought me closer against his warm body. He leaned down to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"The last one there is a rotten egg, Annika."

I spun around quickly to find him gone. It wasn't until the lights went out and screams and shouts could be heard that I knew what was going on. I cursed. The lights came back on to show us that the jewels were gone. Bill made his way to me.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Sly Cooper," I spat. "He tricked me. He's the one who took the jewels. Ugh! I figured out it was him too late! I can't believe this!" I turned to Bill. "I have to go after him. Those jewels were my prize."

I dashed out of the party and to the rooftops. Sly wasn't too far ahead of me and even in bare feet, I could easily catch up.

He stopped at one of the highest tops and turned to me. I stayed a few feet away from him.

"Looks like you're the rotten egg," he joked.

"Hand them over," I demanded. "How dare you take my prize. How dare you even show your face to me again!"

"Finders keepers, Annika. You know that." He waved a small bag in front of me. "But if you really want it, come and get it."

"You're being ridiculous. Hand them over."

"Not likely."

I leaped toward him only to slip on a shingle and face-plant. Sly laughed then offered his hand. When he pulled me to my feet, he waved the bag in my face again.

"Still want it?"

I shook my head at him then looked at his hand holding mine. I gently removed my hand then looked up at him.

"What are you doing here, Sly? And without Murray and Bentley. What's going on?"

"I wanted to see you."

"Well I don't want to see you," I said, calmer than I would've expected out of myself around him right now. "Especially after last time."

"I wanted to apologize."

"Your apologies are hollow and mean nothing to me. Not to mention they are late."

"I talked to Kaylita."

That made me stop. "You talked to Kay? How is she?"

He chuckled. "She's angry with the both of us."

"Both of us? I haven't done anything! In fact, I tried calling her while I stayed with Bentley and Penelope and she wouldn't even take my messages."

"She's angry at you because she feels like you chose me over her. And she's mad at me for hurting Carmelita." He looked a little sheepish after that last remark.

"Carmelita…? What…" But I already knew before he could say it.

"I broke up with her."

I was shocked. At the same time though, I wasn't. I knew that it wouldn't have worked between them.

"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He moved closer to me and gently removed my mask. My heart fluttered at the simple action.

"Because there was someone else that I got closer to during a huge heist… She's much more my speed I think…"

He was so genuine… It took my breath away. Instead of giving it to him, I played him a bit.

"Really? She sounds pretty interesting. Is she a thief like you and me?"

He chuckled. "Actually, she is. A very good one at that. In fact, I owe her a lot for having my back. She's really grown on me."

"What happened to her?"

"I left her hanging without saying goodbye. Even after she had done so much to try and protect me. She blamed herself for me getting hurt and I broke her heart."

I wanted to cry. He knew what he had done and the way he said it… He was hurting over what he did to me. How could I not forgive him?

"What would you say to her if she were here?" I asked him quietly.

He lifted his hand up to cup my cheek. "I would apologize profusely and hope she forgives me. Do you think she would?"

The things I wanted to tell him right then and there… My heart melted at his tenderness and I wanted so much to just tell him how I felt. But I couldn't… I was hurt and I didn't want to forgive him that easily.

In the end, my stubbornness won me over. I removed his hand and slowly backed away from him. "Not right now, I don't think. Give her some time."

He swallowed hard. "How much time? I feel like I've left her alone for long enough…"

I jumped to the next building over. "Give her some time, Sly. She'll come around for sure."

As I started to leave, he lifted the bag up. "Forgetting something?"

I smiled at him and shook my head. "The jewels aren't in there. You left them behind."

He seemed surprised. "How did you know?"

"I didn't. You just told me."

I left him at that and went back to Bill and Tia.