The Chest

[kovac-nikki]

“Why’d you come here, Tess?” Alec bounced the knife in his hand, his stance ready for battle. His disheveled dark hair spilling into his grim eyes. Five o’clock shadow powdered his jawline and his lips were tight in a thin line. He looked dour. As if he didn't like the sight of me.
I couldn't blame him. I was dressed in a black cocktail dress- a pistol attached to my hands in front of me, trained on the very handsome thief. I lifted the corner of my mouth into a smile and batted my lashes. “You know why. I couldn't pass this opportunity. Not after you spilled the details yesterday about the job.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. “While we were in bed together, nonetheless. Do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into?” He stepped forward, his knife lowering slightly.
I straightened my gun and aimed for his head. “Don’t look so hurt, Alec. This isn't personal. Now hand over the key.”
We were in Henwick’s study. The fireplace roaring behind us, a desk scattered with papers to our left. The walls of the room were made of shelves and littered with tons of books. The door was shut, and I could faintly hear the voices and music of the party that was taking place just ten feet away from us.
Alec shook his head, his eyes darted around the dimly lit room and landed behind me- they widened.
As my eyes scanned the room, wondering what he was eyeing, Alec made his move. Lunging at me, he knocked the gun out of my hands. It made a rattling sound as it hit the hardwood floor and slid under the desk. I put my hands up, Alec’s knife dancing in front of me. “You wouldn’t. Not after yesterday.” I declared confidently.
Alec seemed to lighten up once I was no longer armed and smirked. “You know what they say about mixing business and pleasure, Tess.”
“And yesterday was only business, Alec.” I said smugly, eyes trained on the embellished chest seated on top of the fireplace behind him. Alec might have had the key, but that wouldn't stop me from stealing it and getting it open some other way.
“Why do you want it anyways? No one will buy it from you. Not when you screwed Langston out of that deal.” Alec paced in front of me, the point of the knife never leaving my direction.
“I would like to sleep at night knowing I have something against Henwick, wouldn't you?” I asked, trying to keep him talking. I shifted slightly closer to the desk, my back to it.
Alec didn’t seem to notice. Either that or he was sure I was harmless. “Of course, but there’s a pretty penny out for his collection and I could really use the cash.”
I tilted my head back, inching towards the desk behind me. “Ahh,” I started, “So it’s about the money for you. You know I have plenty of that. I could just loan you some.”
Alec chuckled deeply as my backside hit the desk, my hand fumbled for something to throw at him. “Not the kind of money I’m looking for, love. But it’s a kind gesture.” Alec jerked the knife in my vicinity. “Don’t move.” He backed towards the fireplace and with his hand, fished the gold key from his pocket. Again, with the knife in his hand, he pushed the key in the slot and turned it slowly. There was a tiny click and he lifted it open. He frowned at the contents.
I scowled, my hand releasing the candle I’d found. “What? What’s in there?” I asked, stepping forward, eager to get a peek at the goods.
Alec tossed his head back, the knife lowered at his side, and started laugh. I eased closer and hovered over the chest, peering inside. Nothing. I, too, began to laugh. Alec dropped the knife, using his hands to hold his stomach as he continued to howl in laughter.
“Make it stop,” I pleaded in short pants through continuous cackles. I crumpled to the ground; laughing this long and hard was starting to hurt.
“It’s a trap. Let’s go.” He said as he reached down to help me get up. We stumbled over to the door.
As we headed back to the party, our laughter started to subside. We were greeted with two tall gentlemen in black suits. With my cheeks aching, I glance at Alec. “And so the priest says,”

[tepih]

Nice, but a bit clustered