Romancing The Heist: The Cave: Romancing The Heist, #3

By Belle Knight

To save his life, Adam must finish the job his cousin failed to complete—to smuggle rare, endangered tortoises out of a Northern California forest hideout. Though Adam has never smuggled anything before, it's supposed to be an easy transport job—until he meets Anna and her dog.

Anna is a hairstylist by day, but by night, she searches for missing people with help from her dog, Sanchez. When a kid goes missing, Anna and Sanchez go searching in the forest—only to uncover the location of the smuggled tortoises.

Sparks fly in this hot and steamy romantic suspense story, but can this sexy duo survive the truth…and the competition out to get the tortoises first—while making sure no witnesses survive the night?

This is a standalone romance with no cheating and no cliffhangers, but with plenty of steam and a HFN. I've also included an exclusive 3 chapter look of the next book in the Romancing The Heist series, which you won't find for free anywhere else!
 

ROMANCING THE HEIST
--The Museum Heist
--The Ranch Heist
--The Cave Heist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belle Knight
• Release date: Dec 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393497134

Book preview

Chapter 1

Anna snipped the final strands of hair, placing them just so with a bit more holding pomade.

She stood back, beaming at her client through the mirror. Ms. Jelm really did look wonderful today, the smile on her face lighting up her wrinkles and the pink highlights she’d asked Anna to put in special for the wedding of Ms. Jelm’s granddaughter this weekend. It had been a marathon day of haircuts, styles, highlights, and more, that had started at 5am with a regular, Mr. Kim, coming in for a shave.

There, Anna said, holding her breath as she continued to smile. She knew it was beautiful work, but was anxious for Ms. Jelm to agree. Anna had custom made the color recipe, adjusting the ph almost by instinct. Ms. Jelm’s grey hair was damaged and coloring it took a special finesse. Anna liked the chemistry side of hairstyling even if she had never majored in chemistry—or finished college, for that matter.

Ms. Jelm opened her eyes and gently touched the neon pink strands with her fingers. Oh.

Is it okay? Anna said, becoming more anxious.

Ms. Jelm’s eyes widened and she caught Anna’s blue eyes in the mirror. She broke into a big smile. Oh yes. This is lovely. Lovely! Exactly what I wanted.

Anna released the breath she had been holding. Her scissors and comb dangled from her hand as she relaxed. Even after ten years, even after knowing she was one of the best colorists in the area, with numerous repeat clients, usually booked out for several months in advance, she still worried she wasn’t good enough.

That she would never be good enough.

She could thank her ex for that unhappy insecurity, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

He was gone. She had moved on.

She was better than all of that mess.

Yeah, maybe if she kept telling herself that she’d actually believe it one day.

Ms. Jelm cocked her head to the side, a pink strand falling fetchingly across her cheek. She was a sweet old woman who came in like clockwork for her monthly wash and cut, but this wedding style was a surprise for her granddaughter—the wedding colors were pink and grey. It’ll happen for you too, someday, honey.

What? Anna said, brought back into the salon.

Love, Ms. Jelm said. Or at least someone who will show you a good time.

Anna nodded and set her comb down on a tray. She didn’t really want to talk about her love life—or the non existence of anything resembling a love life—on the eve of someone else’s wedding.

But first you have to get yourself back out there. You can’t keep this search dog thing going if you want to find someone. Or you’ve got to at least change things up every now and then. Join an online dating site. I’ll find out which one my granddaughter used to find her husband. They’re so happy!

Anna smiled brightly again because she couldn’t bear Ms. Jelm feeling sad for her or it might just break down her own barriers. Ms. Jelm, you know I love my rescue work.

I know, honey, but there’s got to be more to life than only that.

I’ve got a wonderful job, wonderful dog, wonderful hobby. I couldn’t ask for more. Actually, Anna asked for more from her life every night when she crawled into her bed, alone again, but she still had one more cut to do today and figured that client would not appreciate a blubbering hairstylist.

Part of her, most of her, wasn’t ready for a relationship again, but if she could just feel another human being against her skin again—she thought, maybe—well, she didn’t actually know what to think. She only knew she had this burning desire inside to feel wanted by someone.

She kept her style low-key, her clothes fashionable but comfortable, her hair luxurious, and her body fit. Running around in the dark forest at night jumping over logs and through the trees would keep anyone fit. Her brown hair and blue eyes had received many compliments over the years, and she’d even received a few offers for dates here and there, but not from anyone she was attracted to.

She wasn’t that picky, but she needed a spark, even a small spark. Something.

Oh, Ms. Jelm, Anna said, sweeping off any last bits of hair from the style gown and then undoing the velcro. Your granddaughter is going to get such a kick out of your hair. She must be a wonderful person. I know some brides might think pink hair would ruin the wedding photos! You’re quite the daredevil!

Ms. Jelm dimpled as she smiled again. Well, that’s just the kind of family I raised. Plus, her mother said something about a full head of pink hair, so really, this is going to be quite conservative!

Ms. Jelm and Anna caught each other’s eyes in the mirror and both laughed. Anna loved her job and how she could pamper people the way they deserved. She could even bring in some of her interest in chemistry like she did today for Ms. Jelm’s color. She loved her search and rescue work too—there wasn’t anything much more thrilling than helping save someone’s life from hypothermia, or finding a lost child.

Still—

Anna’s cell phone buzzed on her tray table of tools. The special ringtone immediately made all self-pitying thoughts flee Anna’s mind.

Ms. Jelm stood, brushing off her clothes. What’s that special ring for, dear?

Anna picked up her phone, letting it buzz in her hand for a brief moment. It’s an emergency text to all nearby Search and Rescue handlers.

Oh, Ms. Jelm said, her eyes widening with seriousness. Is everything okay?

Anna quickly tapped in her passcode and opened up the full message.

All Available Local handlers report to station 6. Missing child.

Anna looked up at Ms. Jelm. A child’s gone missing.

Oh no, Ms. Jelm said. Then you must go. She pressed a bunch of cash into Anna’s hands.

Ms. Jelm this is too much.

Oh, don’t worry about that now. I’m happy to pay for excellent work and I do appreciate everything you do. Use the extra to give that pup of yours a nice treat after tonight’s adventures.

Anna thanked Ms. Jelm but her mind was already racing onto what to do next. As Ms. Jelm left, Anna quickly texted out an apology to her next client, briefly summarized the reason for canceling, and worked out arrangements to reschedule. While she took care of that, she cleaned up her station, put away her tools and supplies, and made it out the door to her car, all in less than five minutes flat.

It would take her another five minutes to drive home, then she needed to crate Sanchez and grab their gear before heading out. If she hurried, she could make it to Station 6 in less than 45 minutes.

An eagerness overtook Anna. Adrenaline began to pump through her veins.

Station 6 was deep in the forest of one of the local wilderness areas.

And a child had gone missing somewhere inside it.

Chapter 2

Anna carefully drove the last two miles on the dirt lane