Page 27 of Scarlett Thief (Criminal Underground 2)

“Alright, well we were able to get blueprints and schematics, a basic security workup, and a couple of important passcodes. It’s not everything, but with a bit of recon it should be an easy in and out,” Ian explained.

Archer dug into a hidden pocket in his leather pants and pulled out a slim black USB drive. “All on this drive.” I reached out to grab it, but Archer pulled it back before I could. My narrowed eyes met his sparkling ones, irritation sparking at the taunt. “You’re our guests here, why not enjoy yourself a bit before running away for work?”

“Men in ourprofessiondeserve a bit of down time,” Jensen tacked on in agreement.

I wanted to grind my teeth, but I leaned back against the cushion. It was obvious this wasn’t going to be an easy meeting, so I waited, biding my time to see what they wanted us to do before they’d hand it over.

"Why don't you tell us a bit about your partner, Scarlett? How'd the three of you meet?" Ian continued. It was a harmless question, but there was a hint of fishing beneath his relaxed posture and open demeanor.

"It's a … complicated story, but let's just say it's the start of a beautiful friendship," I answered, letting my usual impish expression transform my face. The smart-ass grin was obvious but two could play the subtleties that were necessary in the criminal underground. The coldness I knew was blatant in my eyes was a warning.

Don't ask too many questions.

"Does that mean the three of you will enjoy the …funof the club?" Archer asked, swirling his nearly empty glass before drinking the remaining amber liquid.

"Absolutely," Wolf declared before downing the rest of his whiskey. "But enough about us, I heard the three of you are enjoying a second honeymoon. I assume it's going well with Ms. Perelli?"

"It's Marshall-Travis-Petrov actually,” Jensen corrected.

“And it's going quite … well I'm sure you can guess seeing as how we've taken control of quite a few clubs over the world," Ian hinted, the conversation transitioning easily between them.

"It's beenloadsof fun," Archer murmured with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at their clichés, knowing exactly what he meant.

We came here for business … and possibly a little pleasure. Not puns.

“Anyone else in need of new drinks?” Jensen asked, gesturing to the two of us. Both Wolf and I nodded and stood along with Archer and Jensen. Ian shook his head and stayed put, his eyes glued to the hall that led to the lounge rooms.

The bar within the club was down a long hallway, and the sounds of flesh hitting flesh and pleasured moans filled the space as we walked. While I was enjoying listening to the faint noises, Wolf broke the silence between us.

“So, how is everything working for the four of you? I don’t think I ever expected the three of you to be nice enough to share.”

It was an odd direction for him to take, but I couldn’t help but also be curious about the topic. Though that may have been because for the last twenty-four hours I’d been imagining Scar between Wolf and me. We may not be friends or even partners, but by the time we walked away from this, there would be heated memories the three of us would take with us, and I was determined to enjoy it while it lasted.

“We’re a team, have been for years and once we laid eyes on Mare”—Archer shrugged—“that was that.”

“Why? Curious?” Jensen questioned, ordering his drink quickly.

“No real reason.”

“Lie.” Wolf glared over at me when I countered him and held his gaze. “You want her just as badly as I do.”

“And how could you possibly know that?” he hissed, his increasing anger making me laugh.

“You’re not subtle despite what you think.”

“He’s got a point you know. Besides, it’s a club, you’re meant to have fun so even if it doesn’t go past tonight, you can still enjoy it,” Jensen offered up.

“Yeah well, as much as I hope to do that, we’re here for business, and Scarlett’s very determined to get what we came for and leave,” I explained, ordering my own glass of liquor.

“Well, what about if you and I discuss what we found and Wolf and Scarlett can go with Ian and Mare later?” Archer waved between the two of us.

“Ugh, of course he gets to,” I muttered, “all work and no play.” The three of them laughed at my sigh, but I knew I was the one who would be using the USB and going over the files so the plan made sense.

Archer smacked my arm as we started back to the booth with our drinks, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes as he glanced over. “Nah, it’ll just be work first, fun after.”

Now that’s a plan I could get behind.

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