❝——My husband has no wealth, don’t you know he is very badly treated by the king?❞ she lied, of course he had but it wasn’t because of the king, it was because he had earned it between his work and his own trade but if he thought he was going to find it so easy he was wrong. Uhtred was too careful in that regard, just right to prevent any thief from eventually getting there. Gisela knew there was nothing she could do, she was thankful that her children would be outside playing with the servants and not see that. ❝You should better look elsewhere, I hear the Saxons in their church are rich❞ or so she knew but there she would find almost nothing of value.

“Perhaps he is treated badly, but I know of his wealth. The whole kingdom does.” Rio grinned, not breaking eye contact with the woman. His men were essentially tearing the house apart, grabbing anything that was valuable. But everything was well-hidden; the men were struggling to find the precious silver that they so desperately sought. This wasn’t Rio’s first time; he’d stolen from countless others and never gotten caught, but never from someone whose reputation was as big as Uhtred’s. Damn, he was going to be so rich! “I do not wish to steal from Saxons. The king would be less merciful; it is not worth the risk,” Rio said with a shrug, keeping his sword up but not aiming it at her. He wouldn’t hurt her; that would only enrage her husband. Besides, if he hurt her, he’d probably be found guilty, even if he pleaded for mercy.

          ❝——Do you think you scare me?❞ she asked this one when she saw his sword threatening her. Her gaze did not leave him, keeping her chin straight ahead. ❝Imagine what my husband will do when he finds out you threatened me❞ he had made a big mistake in coming back. However, this time Gisela would fight back. She had a small knife at her waist that when he didn’t notice she ended up pulling it out and hiding it under the sleeve of her long dress.

“I do,” Rio replied, letting the tip of his sword slowly drag down the wall. He probably shouldn’t have come back, but the adrenaline rush… it was addictive. He needed that fire, that excitement. Besides, all he had to do to get away with it was avoid Uhtred until his trial. He’d cry, beg God for forgiveness, and the weak king would let him walk free. That is, if Uhtred didn’t kill him first. “He will never find me,” Rio answered, a small smile coming across his face. “I will remain hidden.” He chuckled lightly. “What a stupid man, leaving you all alone. At least your children are not here, is that right?” He didn’t see the kids.

annie wasn’t stupid - she knew the kind of damage that rio could do if he had the chance, and she was certain that one bad joke might just be the end of her, and she’d rather not tempt that fate if she could help it.  ❝ define crime. ❞ she said as her head tilted slightly as she tried to recall any moment that might fall under that category. it was hardly the money laundering life she had now. ❝ oh i totally stole a lipstick once - it was awful, totally the wrong shade and not worth the telling off beth gave me about it. ❞ her sister had always kept a watchful eye over her as a kid. ❝ why, are you looking to get into the cosmetics business? because i think they’ve upped security on that sort of stuff now. can’t be dropping mascara into my pockets willy-nilly. ❞

Rio raised an eyebrow slightly as he tried to imagine Beth advocating against crime. The thought was amusing, considering she’d been the one to come back for more jobs, especially after everything that had happened so far. She just couldn’t stay away from crime. Annie seemed a little more reluctant, if anything. “Everyone’s stole somethin’ small before. That’s nothin’.” He wasn’t impressed. Then again, what had he expected? These moms knew nothing about crime before they’d met Rio. Their robbery had been amateur, but in his defense, Annie had seemed the most confident. On the outside, of course. “Nah, cosmetics don’t pay,” he replied with a shake of his head. “Just wonderin’ if it was your idea to rob the grocery store. I know it wasn’t Ruby’s.” Ruby would have never come up with it. Out of the three of them, she was the weak link.

          ❝——Are you telling me that my wife has lied to me?❞ he asked furious and raising his voice when he heard it because not only had he offended him, he had offended Gisela too and he wasn’t going to allow it. ❝Do you think I need a trial to murder you? My lands, my rules❞ he didn’t give a damn about Alfred’s rules at that instant. She held the man tightly without letting go, his gaze fixed on him and ended up forming a fist, with every intention of punching his face.

“Of course not!” Rio put his hands up, showing that he wasn’t going to hurt Uhtred. He wished he’d stolen from someone else, but the wealth had tempted him. Now, he had to face the wrath of the godless man. “No, this is Alfred’s land… technically speaking.” He grunted at the punch, tilting his head to the side to try and soften the blow. It didn’t work. He stumbled, nearly hitting the ground. Uhtred was much stronger than Rio had anticipated. “I swear to you, I stole nothing,” he lied, taking a step back. “Your wife may have seen someone who looks like me, but it was not me. Please believe me. I-I am innocent.” He put on his best innocent face, although he doubted it would work. Unfortunately, Uhtred was smart.

She would never push him.  she was more than content with this.  All she wanted was to be with him. Whatever he needed.  Most of the time it was just rough sex but she was MORE than okay with it.  He was there the next day and that said it all.  What they had was more.  She groaned softly as she shifted to wrap her legs around his waist.  “Rio….”  She said with a whine in her voice.  

“Why should I help you?” A genuine question. Since when did she deserve his help? She’d nearly killed him. She could be so damn naive sometimes. What if he had died that night? She wouldn’t be able to ask for his help anymore, and yet she’d still need it. He saw the look in her eyes whenever they exchanged washed cash, even in the beginning — she’d loved it. The adrenaline rush… he’d felt it, too. Not anymore.