Aria's POV
I'd been waiting for this moment quietly and patiently, pretending to be the cornered one. But I'd seen him. Yesterday. The way he bent to pick something up from the gutter when he thought no one was looking.
I hadn't been sure what it was, not then. But his scent had changed, excitement and fear tangled together, the kind of smell people get when they think they've found treasure that isn't theirs.
If I'd accused him right away, he would've denied it, maybe even gotten rid of it before anyone arrived. But now? Now he was panicking. His pulse hammered so loudly I could almost feel it vibrating in the air.
I kept my tone calm. "You started moving it the moment Mrs. Jennifer mentioned her ring. I can smell the panic on you, James."
He flinched.
Jennifer glanced between us, h
