Chapter Two – A crazy idea

Blake pov

I never thought I’d be the type of girl planning a petty theft in broad daylight.

But here I am—broke, jobless, and sitting in Amy’s room with a wrapped sandwich in my lap and a really bad idea bouncing around in my head.

“Here,” Amy said, handing me the sandwich like it was just another normal day.

“Thanks.” I forced a smile.

She leaned in and gave me a quick hug. “Alright, I gotta head to work. See you later?”

“Actually... can you take me to the park first?”

She blinked. “The park?”

“Yeah, just a quick detour. I swear.”

She didn’t question me. Not yet.

Five minutes later, we were parked opposite the city park. She glanced at her phone, clearly in a hurry. “Okay, what’s this about? I’m seriously running late.”

My eyes found the man across the street before I answered. Tall, dark suit, phone to his ear. His presence was the kind that took up space even from a distance.

“I know this sounds crazy,” I started, picking at my nails feeling nervous already.

Amy raised a brow. “What’s crazy?”

“I have an idea. But... you’re gonna hate it.”

She gave me that look. The one where her eyes narrow and her mouth tightens like she already regrets being my best friend.

“Just say it.”

I pointed subtly. “That guy. Next to the black SUV. The one in the tailored suit? He’s wearing a gold watch. Special edition. I saw it on a collector’s auction once—worth at least thirty grand.”

She blinked slowly. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m not.” I swallowed. “We’re gonna take his watch.”

She stared. Like really stared, like I’d grown another head. “You’re actually insane.”

“Maybe. But this could change everything for me.”

“Blake, if you need money, I’ve told you—I can help. You don’t have to do this.”

“I know. And I love you for it. But I can’t keep living off your kindness like I’m a charity case.”

Silence. Then—

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“C’mon,” I pleaded. “It’s one time. One watch. You always say you wanna do something spontaneous. This is... spontaneous.”

“This is criminal,” she shot back. But I could see the hesitation on her face.

I lowered my voice. “I think it’s fate. That watch? That man? He’s probably never even missed a meal. He won’t notice it’s gone.”

Amy groaned, dragging a hand through her blonde hair. “Fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you in court.”

“You won’t regret this,” I grinned, already opening the door.

“Wait, wait—what’s the plan?” she asked.

“I’ll distract him. You take the watch.”

“Why do I have to be the one to take it?”

“Because your hair’s short and sweet and non-threatening. Mine’s long and... lovely.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m right.”

“...True.”

I flashed her a thumbs-up and bolted.

Crossing the street, I locked eyes on him. He had his back turned, mid-call, exuding money and control in the way he held his phone and stood like the whole damn world belonged to him. Probably did.

I took a deep breath, jogged... and purposely tripped—hard—right into him.

His phone flew. Smacked the tree behind us.

“You!” he barked, turning around. “Do you not have eyes?”

I looked up from the ground. Blue eyes. Cold. Intense. Piercing. The kind of eyes that could ruin you.

I blinked standing up . “Excuse me? This is a walkway!”

“You just made me drop a ten-thousand-dollar phone!”

“Well, maybe don’t take calls in the middle of a public walkway!”

He took a step closer, his gaze cutting straight through me. “Do you know who I am?”

Oh, I did.

Too late, I realized the familiar jawline, the expensive scent, the effortless authority in his posture.

Ethan. Freaking. Blackwood.

New York’s youngest tech billionaire. Owner of Blackwood Tech. Ruthless. Rich. Off-limits.

Oh my God. What was I thinking?

I turned to signal Amy—abort mission. Abort everything. She was already approaching behind him. I panicked and raised both hands in the air.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, suspicious.

“Em... yoga?” I blurted. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to knock into you. Totally an accident. I’ll just—”

And that’s when it happened.

A horn blared. My heart jumped.

I turned—and there it was. A black sedan, speeding too close, too fast. I stumbled backward.

I felt an arm wrap around me, hard and fast, yanking me against a chest. His chest.

“You have to be more careful,” he growled against my ear, his grip firm.

My heart was going feral. I was pressed against him, his hand still at the small of my back, and I could smell his cologne—clean and sharp. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the flower tattoo drawn across his chest.

God.

He was beautiful.

And dangerous.

“Don’t you know who I am?” he repeated, this time quieter, sharper.

I swallowed. “Nope.” I popped the p for effect.

His brows lifted. Clearly, he wasn’t used to being lied to.

I backed away. “Thanks for the save, but I should really get going. My friend’s waiting for me.”

“Wait,” he said, voice like gravel and velvet all at once. “Let’s make a deal.”

A chill ran down my spine. Am not making any deal with him.

Especially when it comes from a man like Ethan Blackwood.