Page 11 of Scarlett Thief (Criminal Underground 2)

“What?” Diablo jerked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes on Gaven. “So, we’re not expected to do this pro bono?”

Gaven laughed and shook his head. “Good God, no. You will be paid for your work,” he assured us. “Handsomely, I’m told.”

“How handsomely?” Diablo asked with a quirked brow.

A mixture of confusion and interest slid through me. Mr. Black had the three of us by the balls essentially, but he was still willing to pay us?

“The diamond is worth, on its own, many millions—at least fifty. My employer is willing to offer you ten percent each.”

Five million? The only time I’d ever even attempted a haul larger than that had been with a team, a team led by Jaxson. The reminder made me scowl, but since then, I’d kept my targets all under two million. Smaller fish but easier prey. The takeaway: I took all of the risks, but I kept the money for myself—and more importantly, no one else could be hurt. Not like before.

My eyes moved to scan the others as I forced my thoughts to refocus. “Why the charade then?” I asked. “If Mr. Black planned on paying us to work together, why force us here?”

“Would any of you have considered teaming up otherwise?” Gaven challenged. His keen eyes glanced between the three of us. None of us spoke. The silence said more than enough.

"Fine,” I began again. “If we agree to this, can you guarantee that any files your employer has on us will disappear?"

"That remains to be seen." I scowled at Gaven's answer. I knew what he damn well meant—if we fucked up the mission, if we didn't get the diamond, he'd hold on to those files—possibly even release them if we screwed up bad enough. It was a risk, but as I sat there at the table between the three men I was starting to see just how trapped I was. How trapped we all were.

Turn down hisgenerousoffer,I thought sardonically,and risk going to jail. Losing my freedom was not negotiable. After all I'd done in my line of work, I'd made enemies. There were people within the prison system who would love to see my head on a pike.

The people I'd stolen from … the people I'd betrayed—it didn't matter that we were on the same side of the law. There was no honor in our work. Trust no one because there was always something dark and sinister hiding beneath the surface. Stealing objects was one thing. Kidnapping children, though? Killing innocent civilians? That was a line I’d never allow myself to cross. Not again.

Regardless of my convictions now, I knew I had a target on my back.

Out here, I was free.

Out here, I could protect myself—from both my past and my present. If I was locked behind bars, held in one place for too long, there was no doubt in my mind that Jaxson would find me.

There were no friends in prison. Only allies and enemies, and allies could always stab you in the back.Always.

Once more, I turned my gaze to the two men who I'd no doubt be working with before long. Diablo and Wolf. One a muscle-bound mercenary. The other, an enigma. I didn't trust them, but I didn't see another choice.

I lifted my head and met Gaven's knowing gaze. He smiled as I nodded. "Fine," I said, hoping I wasn't making the worst mistake of my life. "I accept your proposal."

"What?" Wolf said at the same time that Gaven's smile widened.

"Wonderful." Gaven clapped his hands together once before turning to Diablo. "And you?"

I crossed my legs beneath the table and sucked in a breath as Diablo's gaze moved to me before he answered. His bright blue eyes were piercing, analyzing. I couldn't help but feel as if he was trying to delve into my mind and figure out just why I'd agreed. The answer was simple: I valued my freedom above all else. The job wasn't impossible. I would do it, get the diamond, hand it over, and take my cut without complaint. If I was lucky, I might even be able to turn this Mr. Black into an asset rather than an enemy.

"Yes," he finally agreed. "I'll do it."

"You're both fucking crazy," Wolf growled.

"Perhaps," Diablo said, reaching for his drink. Tipping his head back, he drained his glass in several gulps and then set it to the side. "But our options are limited, friend. You might as well agree. If anything, we should get along for the sake of the job."

I eyed him curiously. He flipped sides easily and it was worrisome. At least until I saw the tightness around his eyes and the way his leg bounced beneath the table.

It’s good to know we’re all on the same page of ‘fuck … if we have to.’

"You would be wise to follow his lead," Gaven suggested.

"Fuck you," Wolf ground out between clenched teeth.

"You can fight all you like, Mr. Wolf," Gaven said with an edge of seriousness that made me sit up and take notice. My gaze flickered between him and Wolf as Gaven leveled the other man with a dark expression. "If you refuse, you won't be the only one to pay the price."

I didn't know what the hell that meant, but whatever it was seemed to have an effect on Wolf. His back went straight and his shoulders stiffened.

"You fucking bastard," he seethed. "Fine. I'll agree to this job, but don't think I won't be looking into your Mr. Black, because believe me, I will. You better warn him that if he has any skeletons in his closet, I plan to find them and bring them all to the light for this."

Gaven sat back, seeming unconcerned.And why wouldn't he be?I thought. He wasn't Mr. Black. He was just the proxy.

"Do what you will," he said with a wave of his hand. "But now that we've gotten the business at hand settled, let's enjoy our meal." He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers, triggering a line of servants who moved into the garden with serving platters as if they'd been merely waiting for his signal.

I sat back, feigning a pleasant expression because it was what I was used to. All the while, however, I couldn't help but examine my two new partners. Both attractive in their own way, but I wouldn't let that distract me. Attractiveness was just another weapon in their arsenal. Diablo seemed the most laid-back, but it was all a facade, covering whatever he was truly feeling while Wolf appeared to be the most outwardly honest with his opinions, thoughts, and emotions. Not that any of those observations mattered in the long run.

These men were going to either get me killed or get me my freedom back. That was all that mattered to me now.

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