Page 12 of Scarlett Thief (Criminal Underground 2)

6

Wolf

Rage pulsed through me. It was a red-hot poker in my chest as I sat in my designated chair, eyeing the other members of this so-called dinner. The fancy table settings and the expensive cuisine didn’t hide the stench of gunpowder in the air. Though I had not been allowed a weapon, I wasn’t stupid enough to believe that the proxy wasn’t packing heat. Fucking Gaven Belmonte. I’d heard of him all right, but never once had we met, and up until this point, I counted myself lucky. Sitting across from him though, I took in the infamous hitman. He had the look of a man well versed in the upper circles of society much to my surprise, and when Gaven smiled that picture perfect smile of his, it only added to my fury.

No matter how much he paraded around as a high class gentleman though, there was a certain coldness to him that couldn’t be eradicated. Anyone not familiar with this dark world of ours might not have recognized the lion sitting at the head of this table, but I certainly did. I saw his sharpened teeth and the arrogance in his kingly behavior.

Like recognized like, and any criminal would know this man wasn’t just a pretty face. He was dangerous. A killer. Just like me.

My hand clenched into a fist under the table as my anger morphed into a dark beast. Blackmail was a belittling trick and dishonorable to someone like me. Then again—there was no honor amongst thieves and criminals. I was, after all, a gun for hire. A body to stand between the world’s vile, privileged elite and the enemies that they had no doubt earned. This though—this was more than a trick.

Blackmailing me. Threatening my fucking daughter—something no one should have known about to begin with. I scanned the table’s occupants—cutting out the proxy. I’d already gleaned what I could from him, so I focused on the other two—on my potentialpartners. A scowl worked its way over my mouth. The word was an insult. I didn’t do partners and based on the scowls and hard expressions of the other two, they weren’t any more open to the idea.

Diablo and Scarlett. I’d heard both names before—though I doubted they’d heard of me. A top tier hacker and a thief. My eyes moved to the thief first. She looked the part of a wealthy socialite rather than an infamous criminal. My gaze trailed up to the perfect, ruby red lips and dark lashes that hid equally dark eyes. Fat curls rolled down her back before she flicked them over her shoulder, and my eyes settled on the slender neck she revealed. It was so slight and long, just perfect for a man to wrap his hands around and squeeze as he fucked her. Her skin was a deep rich olive tone, and her body teased my eyes with delicious curves that were meant to be enjoyed, to be savored. When her head turned and her eyes met mine, I held them … wondering.

She met my gaze for several long seconds, her lips turning down as she blinked and glanced to the floor. It was an automatic reaction—to look away from the eyes of a Dom, whether she knew what I was or not, and it was clear she was naturally submissive.Interesting.It only took a moment before she realized what she’d done, but when she did, Scarlett jerked her head up. Her lips formed a scowl and she glared at me before flicking her attention back to the others.

A very beautiful brat, I thought.But likely a dangerous one.Thieves weren’t killers by nature, but they were greedy. I had no doubt that she, like her male counterparts, would do whatever was necessary to keep her treasures and her freedom.

What concerned me most was the fact that she would be a distraction. One that I didn’t fucking need.

Scarlett and Diablo continued their volley with Gaven, playing the parts they’d been assigned in this charade. Not me. I listened and I fumed, biding my time.

Ian Marshall, an old friend with just as many insidious contacts as the devil, himself, had worked some kind of miracle—or sold his soul to the devil—to get me a workup of this Mr. Black. It hadn’t come in until right as I’d arrived, meaning it would have to wait until after.And at this fucking rate, it looks like it’d be a while, I seethed. Yes, they had their homework on the three of us. They had us right where they wanted us.

I let my attention drift to the last man as he spoke up. "So, that's it? A fancy dinner after a single file and a ‘go team’?" Diablo questioned, his forearms resting against the table as if he didn't have a care in the world. He wasn’t a killer—not the kind that had seen blood up close and personal, that had felt a man’s heart stop beating under his fist, but he was just as wicked. Clever with a smug personality to boot. I frowned at him. He was a wild card. Talented, no doubt, as I’d heard Diablo could get information on anyone no matter the high profile target. It was a miracle they’d managed to capture him. Then again, if these people were powerful enough to know about Miranda, then there was no doubt in my mind that they had far more than just power. They had connections. They had knowledge and that was the true gut punch to this whole fucking scenario. The real reason we were all fucked—and not in the fun way.

"That is all you will need,” Gaven answered with a shrug as he leaned forward and took another bite of his food. A smug smirk and disregarding wave of his hand made me want to punch the bastard. I wouldn't though. I was no use to my daughter with a bullet in my skull—or worse. “You’re welcome to leave now if that’s your wish, but I highly suggest that the three of you take down each other’s contact information. Mr. Black would like his prize soon, and I don’t need to tell you what’s on the line if you fail this mission.”

I bit back a growl as I shoved up from the table. Gaven didn’t react to my violence. The sound of the other two chairs scraped back as Scarlett and Diablo stood from the table as well.

"I'll take this," Diablo reached down and snatched the cursed file from the tabletop, "and we'll be on our way."

Garrett stood near the entrance of the hallway, a silver platter with weapons perched precariously on his fingertips.

“Your weapons, Miss Scarlett,” he prompted, holding the tray out farther. My eyes narrowed and my suspicion grew now that she was armed. In an attempt to put as much distance between her and Diablo from myself, I started through the home without waiting but the clicking sound of the woman’s heels followed me to the door shortly after. I immediately slowed, shifting so I could look over my shoulder.There’s no way in fucking hell I’m getting stabbed or shot tonight and certainly not by a woman who looks like sex on legs.Her lips tilted up at the edges—a forced smile based on the clenching of her jaw—and her brow arched delicately when she saw me move. Thankfully she didn't say anything, but Diablo, who had been trailing after her, did.

"Scared and jumpy already?" he challenged with a cocky grin. "We’re just getting started,partner.”

I growled his way without actually responding. Already, I was focused on my desire to get the fuck out of this mansion. The sensation of hidden eyes watching my every movement was everywhere. I needed to get that information from Ian.

The three of us found our way into the main house, back the way we'd come, and to the foyer. Servants scurried to return the others' coats. I hadn't arrived in one, therefore, I was the first out of the door.

Thank fuck, outside, I thought as I strode down the steps. I knew we weren't safe, not even close. Not until we were well away from the property, but now that I wasn't staring Gaven Belmont in the face, I was able to take a deep breath.

Behind me, the sound of an irritated feminine sigh stopped me as I reached into my pocket and retrieved my keys.Don't turn around, I urged myself. She's a thief, and likely a very good actress. Even as my mind told me to do the right thing, my body paused and I glanced back as she stepped off the stone steps, a cellphone in hand. A delicate scowl twisted her plush, red lips.

"Problem, Princess?" Diablo inquired lightly.

She lifted her head and arched a brow at him. "Absolutely not," she replied tersely. I expected she'd be a better liar. "It just looks like I've got some work to do." She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers. "Later, boys."

"Last I checked we're a team now," Diablo countered, but even his tone was taking on a darker edge. None of us liked the position we now found ourselves in, and though I hoped Ian's information would prove useful, I doubted even he could come up with a way for me to avoid working with these two.

A true team—agoodteam—trusted one another. Not only did I not know these two, I knew for goddamn sure I didn't trust them.

Scarlett chuckled, a cold and callous sound, as her eyes trailed over the two of us. My shoulders tightened when her lashes lowered and threw shadows over her cheeks as she examined me. If she thought eye-fucking me would get me wrapped around her pretty little finger, she had another thing coming. She'd have better luck getting on her knees and calling me 'Master.'

"Do you really think teamwork is something any of us excel at?" She turned that siren-like gaze of hers back to Diablo.

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