Page 2 of Never Enough

For the past week, Nemo had been doing reconnaissance in the quaint little town of Riquewihr. Tonight, all of that work led to liberating ninety-five moonstones—small diamonds that were part of the Jupiter Diamond display meant to mimic the ninety-five moons of the planet Jupiter. Allegedly, they were the rightful property of an Italian family who had hired Tribe, Nemo and Midas’ employer, a mercenary group hiding out as a corporation, to reclaim the stones. Currently, said stones were in his pocket.

A little under a year ago, the Saturn Diamond had been stolen from its permanent display in Gabon, and it was believed to be Le Chatte Noire’s talents that had made it disappear. If that was the case, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that she’d be tempted by the Saturn Diamond’s partner, the Jupiter Diamond.

How he had not run into her or even gotten a glimpse of her in the last week was unreal to him.

Realizing she was about to come through the window, he whispered, “Muting,” and tapped his watch, closing the line to prevent her from hearing him. He also figured it would be a good idea to keep the initial conversation with her from his brother’s ears. Energy fizzed through him. As he waited for her entry, he worked to slow his breathing down, not only toprevent giving himself away before she made it through the window but also in an attempt to calm his heart rate.

Told you we’d meet again one day, kitty cat.

Shuffling noises were followed by the slap of hands on the window ledge. There was a soft grunt of exertion as a petite figure pulled itself up through the open window to lie across the ledge. Once he was sure she had her balance, he grabbed her by her armpits and dragged her all the way into the room. She squeaked in surprise as he plastered her back to his front, one arm banding around her middle and his other hand over her mouth to prevent the hissing and spitting that was about to occur.

Mouth next to the balaclava-covered ear of his captive, a soft laugh underscored his whispered, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Le Chatte Noire.”

He felt the tension in her body ratchet up a level as she realized who held her in his arms. An exasperated, muffled scream of frustration came from her covered mouth as she tried to elbow him in the gut, but he held her too tightly to his front for her to gain any space to connect. He let her struggle for a minute or two until she realized she wasn’t getting away, then felt her relax slightly.

“I’m going to move my hand, kitty cat,” he warned her. “It will be to both of our advantages if you don’t scream, but I think you already know that. In two seconds, my communications go back on, so just remember everything you say is going to be heard by my brother.”

Without missing a beat, she hissed, “Let go of me.”

“Say please,” he teased.

She huffed. “Please,” she uttered sarcastically.

Why does a British accent make everything sound so much sexier?

“See? Was that so hard? I’ll do as you ask.But I warn you, kitty cat, try anything, and I’ll have you up against the wall screaming my name before you can hiss at me.”

Nemo released the sprite in his arms, and she whirled around to face him. He held a single finger up to his mouth in the universal “Shh” gesture, then pointed between her mouth and his ear, again reminding her that they weren’t completely alone in the belfry.

He tapped his watch again, unmuting it. “Back online, Midas.”

“What’s going on, lil bro?” The voice was concerned.

“All good. Just took in our little stray.”

“Shit. It’s her?” his brother asked.

The two burglars were dressed very similarly. Black balaclavas, long-sleeved black shirts, black pants, black climbing shoes. Both had climbing belts around their waists that had assorted pouches and clips with tools of the thieving trade.

“What are you doing here?” she spat at him.

Still feisty.

He grinned beneath his headgear. It was good to know some things never changed. “Needed to get a few items on my shopping list,” he joked. He heard her curse under her breath, and then he saw her eyes dart to the stairs leading down two floors to where the Jupiter Diamond sat in its case on display. “It’s still there, kitty cat. Unfortunately,youwill be leaving empty-handed.”

“I’d like to see you try and stop me.”

She bolted.

He cut her off, his arms banding around her waist, and he swung her around so that he was between her and the stairs. “Ah, ah, ah,” he chastised. “Even if you got past me, kitty cat, I’d still catch up to you before you managed to snatch it.”

Her fists clenched, and her lips pursed in frustration. “I’m taking that diamond,” she warned him.

“You can try. But even if you manage to free it from its case, I’m bigger, faster, and stronger. You wouldn’t make it twenty feet before I wrestled it from you.”

She stamped her foot in anger. “If you didn’t come here to steal it, why do you care if I take it? I need it,” she insisted.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “And I don’t want you to have it. What’s stronger? My wants or your needs?”

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