Page 23 of Knot a Thief

He grunts, cracking his neck from side to side. “Fine.”

My fingers curl around the envelope instinctively. "And is there anything else I should know? Any particular challenges?"

I look him directly in the eye and double blink; the action enacting the camera in my glasses which sends his photo to my database and I wait for the details to come back.

"Only one." His smile widens ever so slightly, revealing a glint of amusement in his eyes. “The necklace is owned by an alpha. A very dangerous alpha.”

"We're not worried about alphas," I retort as I listen to the data in my earpiece.

"You should be." Silas is silent for a moment before he says, “And I have a contact who can get you on the island for the next open day. You can scout the island, the museum and take some pictures with the camera on your glasses.”

I don’t react to his knowledge about my glasses. He is right.

The man in front of me is Silas St. James. I read the information scrolling in front of me.

Silas St. James, thirty-four years old, wife died two years ago, single dad to a three-year-old daughter.

That’s enough information to find out more about him. I hold out my hand. “Thank you. I’ll be in touch, Silas.”

He smiles. “No problem.” He hesitates for a moment. “But I’ll need an answer soon. There are plenty of teams who’ll take on the job.”

“One question.” I rise as he holds out his hand for me to shake. “How dangerous is the alpha on the island? Mafia dangerous?”

“Not that I know of.” Silas considers me for a moment. “Though he’s been known to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.”

“And the jewel. Is it a family heirloom, something he will kill to get back? Or will he be filing insurance paperwork?”

“Are you worried? I heard you were the best.”

“By whom?” I ask.

He makes a slight inhale, and I wonder if he can smell Ava on me. Not sure why I worry when she’s not scenting yet and taking preventative measures if she suddenly perfumes and also to prevent a sudden heat.

This is business for Silas. He isn’t interested in Ava. And that’s calming my nerves. “Let’s say we have a mutual contact who wants to remain anonymous.”

“And as the jewel is priceless, does your contact want to sell it or look at it?”

“That’s none of your business.” His voice is low and gravelly.

“Okay, these are the terms. As my research tells me, the jewel is worth a minimum of two hundred and fifty million dollars. I want ten million now, ten million on the day and the rest on delivery.”

Silas arches an eyebrow as he glares at me

I don’t relent.

Finally, he replies, “Okay.” He stares at me. “But if it isn’t delivered.”

“We’ll get it to you.” I hold my hand up in the air. “And I doubt it would be that easy to sell. Those are my terms.”

Silas nods. “He wants to own it.” He hesitates as he wonders whether to continue. “The man wants the red diamond because it’s the most expensive and rarest diamond in the world. And he can afford to keep it.” He hesitates for a moment. “And between you and me, he also wants it in his possession because it was once his.”

“Ahh. It was stolen from him.”

“Yes.”

“My terms are still the same. I’ll send you my Cayman Islands bank account details. We’ll proceed only when the first payment hits the account.”

I have a feeling this job won’t be as easy as most.

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