Page 1 of Devious Eyes
Chapter One
Andreas stands beside me, puffing his chest and crossing his arms in some sort of masculine pissing contest. I roll my eyes, before laying the case on the table in front of the man who’s waiting for it. Inside are two pouches of brilliant cut diamonds—the genuine article, as long as the certificates can be produced. And they can. It’s the biggest deal I’ve been involved in and, thankfully, this will only occur a few times a year.
I like to deal in significantly different diamond deals.
The man standing on the other side of the table clicks the briefcase open, expectancy written all over his features. I lift both the pouches, handing one over as my heart beats loudly in my chest. I don’t like being here with my brother, but he insisted on this going forward. Lurking behind the scenes, a shadow that isn’t seen, is much more my style.
My fingers itch to snatch the pouch back and take all the gems away. Nothing I’ve done for my brother in the past has been at this level, and I’m wondering if I should have said no. But that’s not the deal Andreas wants. And as usual, what Andreas wants, Andreas gets.
There’s a pause for a moment as I begin handing over the second pouch. Everything around me goes still. No one talks, no movement, as if time takes a break and forgets to keep the seconds ticking over. I stare at the man, wondering what’s happening. Something’s wrong. My instincts kick in, warning me, and then time bursts back into action before I get a chance to move.
A loud bang, like a gun, fires, scattering some of the men who were positioned around us. Then a run of clips and pops has even Andreas ducking behind me. I turn, watching as he backs away from me, and a swarm of men in black start advancing on our position. The vision has me looking around wildly at the chaos now pressing in on us, shots still being fired into the air. One pouch of diamonds is still clutched in my hand. The man opposite me has the same thought as me, only slower. He reaches for me, but I’ve grabbed the case with my free hand and swung the metal, clocking him square in the face before he has chance to grab hold of my diamonds. My feet turn, and I run from the warehouse towards the SUV I came in, desperate to escape whatever this has turned into.
Andreas is already moving to his separate car, and I curse under my breath before I block him out and focus on getting out of this alive. Some brother. Although, why I expected anything different I don’t know. I duck, and hover on the back wall of the building, waiting for a clean line through the shots as the pops and clicks continue, until I finally get the break I need and launch across the forecourt.
I jump inside my vehicle, glancing back one last time at the carnage I’ve left, and see men in masks reach the man I was dealing with. They take the diamonds and aim a gun at his head, no care for what they’re about to do. I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to witness his execution, and shove the car into reverse, stamp on the accelerator and tear away from the building.
Three turns and I’m out onto a highway, focused forward, and filtering into traffic at speed. My eyes constantly flick to my rearview mirror, searching for any sign I’m being followed. I can’t see anything yet, but the racing of my heart has me gasping for breath as I try to calm my shaking limbs.
Ten minutes on and I relax my grip on the wheel to release some blood flow back to my fingers. I’ve been driving in random directions, constantly changing roads and lanes, and now need to work out a plan. Something.
I circle the docks a few more times and slow my speed, heading out of the city. I’ll double back before heading to an airport. Leaving is the only clear option I have for now, and disappearing is what I do anyway. For once, and given the threat and mess that’s just occurred, it’s more relevant than it’s ever been before.
My mind skits over the visions of the gun fight and Andreas leaving without me, and I can’t control the shiver of fear that vibrates over my body. This is out of control, not my normal protocol at all, but the small pouch is nestled on the seat next to me, my go-bag in the footwell. I’m safe.
I just need to come up with a plan to keep me that way.
