The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark

Amelia Paint smudges and secret grudges. Despite the occasional ball gown and glass of champagne, my life is anything but glitz and glamor. I’m the daughter of The Southern Black Widow and a girl so full of darkness that it bleeds from my very fingers onto high-priced canvas. But what is darkness but the absence of light? Insert Merrick Stratford—my light. His cold demeanor doesn’t fool me. Every time my eyes find his, they’re already on me. They’re always on me. But he’s my stepbrother, and propriety dictates that he’s off limits. …or is he? Merrick Flashy cars and hidden scars. To the upper crust of Charleston society, I’m a sought-after bachelor. An entrepreneur and philanthropist. But behind closed doors… I’m a thief. The son of a con man and singularly focused on obtaining the one thing I can’t steal. Amelia Carrow. Her demons are mine to slay. Hell, I’ve been doing it since we were teenagers. But I’m no white knight. I’m simply biding my time—doing the necessary recon to pull off the greatest heist I’ve ever attempted. What’s that saying? If you want something badly enough, you have to reach out and take it? …well, I’m taking it. Author's Note : The Thief and the Painter is Book 1 in the Thick As Thieves Series. This book and all the books in this series are recommended for readers 18+. They contain graphic spicy scenes and topics that may be triggering for some readers. Please see the Trigger Warnings pages at the beginning of the eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover. Should the book be adapted to audio, the Trigger Warning list will be read at the beginning of the audiobook.