When Penelope said she doubted he would have gotten away from her in Bellmare, Crow smirked. He was confident that he would have escaped when she was still a new knight. Having been a thief since he was a child, he’d already had years of experience under his belt by the time they would have crossed paths. He’d never had any trouble when it came to local guards either, no matter how well they knew their home cities. When it came down to knowledge versus skill, his tricks always won.

As she added that he couldn’t get away from her when they’d been in Wellspring, he shook his head and laughed. “Don’t let your head get too big there, love,” he casted her a cocky look. “You chased me after I’d just gotten out of a yearlong prison sentence. As great of a knight as you are, you couldn’t have kept up with me before I was arrested. I was in much better shape back then.”

Feeling playful, he casted a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure they were alone and then wrapped his arms around her as they walked. Pressing another kiss to her cheek, he flashed her a mischievous smile. “In fact, I’d say I’m in pretty good shape now too.” Pulling back from her again, he winked as he held up the coin purse he’d just lifted from her belt.

“What do you think?” he mused with mock nonchalance, swinging the pouch tauntingly just beyond her reach and casting her a cheeky, sideways glance. “Still say you can beat me in this city?” He lowered his voice as he added: “I’ll even make it interesting. If you manage to take it back, I’ll owe you one favor. Whatever you want, no questions asked.”