Page 108 of Gathered Sparkle

“Now we get toThe Mechanic.”Finger number four goes up. “They’re the one who does the dip, the actual steal. When they’ve got what they were after,The Dukecomes in.” The last finger raises. “They take the stolen item and disappear immediately. If the authorities catch on, nobody left in the crew has the goods.”

“Damn.” Annabelle whistles low under her breath. “And here I thought pickpocketing was just… y’know, quick hands.”

“It’s an art form, babe.” Nova chuckles. “And Ace is practically the Picasso of pickpocketing.”

“It’s an art form when done right. You’ll be the Stick, our distraction, Annabelle. Nova will act as the Shade and Mechanic in one, tossing the phone to me. I’ll get it to Sylus, who will do his magic. Then I’ll bring it back to Nova, who has to plant it again while you’re still keeping the mark busy.”

“That’ll work.” Levi leans back, a lazy smirk on his face. “As if those guys could look anywhere but where these two beauties are standing right in front of them.”

“It could work with Foster and Blackwood, but this will never work with Belmont.” Nova lets out a breath. “I’ve already fucked that up.”

Sylus shakes his head, flashing her a reassuring grin. “That’s fine, baby. Thanks to you, I’ve got his private number, and I can do some different magic with that one.”

“So,” I continue. “We only need Foster and Blackwood. Now we just need to figure out where they’ll be at a specific time.”

Nicholas straightens. “Well, that’s easy.”

All eyes snap to him, and I raise an eyebrow. “You think so?”

“They play poker with Veronica on Tuesday nights. But I know for a fact that they always hang out in the casinobeforehand while waiting for her. You’ll have at least an hour in The Heights with them.”

My eyes dart to Koen, who’s already smirking, clearly onboard. “It’s worth a try.”

“Risky as fuck,” I counter.We’d be in the lion’s den.

Koen shrugs. “Isn’t all of it?”

Well fuck, if that ain’t true.

Nicholas cleans his hands on a napkin. “Wouldn’t it be easier if we all helped?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,Harrington.” Sylus snorts, crossing his arms.

Nicholas opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off before they can start to bicker again. “You guys are too recognizable.”

Nicholas scoffs. “Copy and Paste over there are, but I’m not a celebrity.”

Annabelle’s laughter bubbles up, and she points between Levi and Koen. “Copy and Paste? Wait, who’s who?”

Nicholas smirks, pointing at Koen. “Copy’s the older one.”

Levi rolls his eyes, leaning back dramatically. “Yeah, by like three fucking minutes.”

Koen shrugs, smug as ever. “Older is older.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I interject, trying to keep them focused. “You’re still too recognizable, Nicholas, especially in your own damn hotel and casino.”

Nicholas argues under his breath, “It’s not mine. It’s my mother’s,” but he doesn’t push further.

“We’d be faster if we split up.” Annabelle sits forward. “If Nova took one guy, I could take the other.”

Nova’s grin is wide and teasing. “Did you ever pickpocket anyone, Belle?”

“Well, no.” Annabelle pouts. “But how hard can it be to learn?”

“It took me six months to get even decent at it.” Nova turns toward me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “And even after years of practicing, I’ve never reached Ace’s level. He’s a fucking magician.”

All eyes turn to me, and my cheeks heat under their scrutiny. “You’re exaggerating,” I mutter.

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