by Calinda B
“TJ, I’m not saying it won’t work out, but there is a reason why your father spent weeks planning this heist. You have to think about fingerprints, cameras, the safe combination… and so much more.”
Defeat washes over me like a cold shower. I’m an idiot.
“Besides, from what Thomas said, the diamond belongs to the daughter. It’s locked in her wardrobe.”
“Shit.” I grip my hair, pulling at the roots. “I’ll get it done,” I say out loud, to convince Ramsey and myself.
“Be careful, son. Jail isn’t an option for any of us.” He lifts his glass and empties it in one clean shot. As he stands up from the sofa, I take it the discussion is over.
“Wait, what about the lock?”
“You have options. Find the key or figure out the combination, or you can bring the whole safe here and we’ll figure it out.”
“Bring it here?” My voice echoes on the walls.
“Not all safes weigh a ton or need a truck to get them out. Go back in there and get your answers.”
With that Ramsey exits the room, leaving me here wishing I could finish the bottle.
I’m still contemplating it when Harlow walks in a few minutes later.
“Rough day, TJ?”
“You have no idea. I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into.” I’m at a loss. This is a nightmare.
“Ramsey was your father’s close friend. He won’t let you down.”
“Maybe it would be better if he would,” I say regretting it right away.
Harlow sits where Ramsey had been. “What is it?”
Can I talk to her? Trust her? I don’t even know. “How much do you know about this place?”
“Probably more than you.” She gives me a smile. One that says I have nothing to lose.
“I fucked up,” I say and then laugh because there is nothing else I can do at this point. I tell her my story from the letter to now, and wait for her reaction.
“So, you are back with your ex-girlfriend now?”
Running my fingers down the side of my jaw, it’s frustrating that is all she remembers from everything I’ve told her. “Not really back together. The second I can get free of her, I will. She isn’t a monster, but I can’t give her more than I’ve already given.”
“You’ll break her heart.” Her face is void of all emotions.
“I won’t make any promises to her.”
“Maybe not, but you called her, so she’ll think it’s because you have regrets or miss her. Not because she has something you want.”
“I know it’s making me the bad guy, an asshole. Don’t worry, I know that.”
When she laughs loud and doesn’t hold back, it makes me wonder if I’ve missed something.
“Look, my father is Ramsey. I know what he and Thomas have done together. It shocked me at first, but at the end of the day, this is all a game. Sometimes a mind game, sometimes a technical game, or at times it can even be physical. Nothing surprises me with these old men. They are... criminal, I guess I can say, but they are also good men, good fathers, and they are loyal to the ones they love.”
“Huh.” I’m speechless. She knows a whole lot more than I do.
“You’re still an asshole for breaking this girl’s heart, but that’s part of your mind game. Or will it be physical, too?”
She got me. Spot on. “Do I really have to answer to this?”
“No, I don’t want to know about your past love interests. Too much info.” Harlow gets that bottle and refills my glass.
“Thanks.”
“They are giving you the cold shoulder so that you build yourself stronger. Focus.”
I tilt the glass back onto my lips and take it all at once. “Thanks for the tip.”
“To be honest with you, they didn’t think you’d come. Thomas told them you guys weren’t getting along, that an argument happened and you took off.”
“I did. It’s a long story.”
Filling Ramsey’s discarded glass to maximum capacity, Harlow lifts it and clears it in one shot. She’s tough.
“So, what are you waiting for? I don’t have all night.” Harlow is getting close to being too invasive for my tastes.
“Great, because I don’t feel like talking about it.” She groans at me like I’m the most frustrating human on Earth, and I don’t know what to do with her.
“Men.” Harlow rolls her eyes. “You better visit your mom, that’s all I’m going to say,” she changes the subject.
That’s it, now I’m irritated. “Good thing that’s all you are going to say because it’s already too much. Keep your thoughts to yourself next time.” Holding the bottle to my glass, I’m boiling mad and shaking, and getting one last shot in before leaving this place. “I’m out.”
I don’t give her time to say anything back.
If I wait, it will end in a bad way, and I’m the new guy around here. This isn’t the best start. I’ve deceived them enough for one day. Before leaving the Club, I nod to the men back at their table. The doorman holds the door open for me. It didn’t go how I thought it would. They’re tough guys, and Harlow, well, I don’t know what she is yet, but I’m not sure I like her.
Back in the elevator traveling down the hundreds of floors, I’m angry at myself. Or is my anger aimed at the Club? Dad wasn’t a bad man, he cared a lot for his family and did try to reach out to me when I stepped away. I don’t understand how he managed a double life like this, though. Back at the Club, all of them were supporting each other into their next crime. Now I’m part of it, and Harlow too. She’s only in her late twenties, like me, I think, and she’s hot—so hot she could be an actress or model. Instead, she’s here pushing all my buttons and putting me in a place I don’t like to be.
Once outside I don’t know what to do with myself. I want to drink and forget I even exist, or I want to throw my fist into a wall and let go of all anger. This isn’t how I want to live my life.
The ringtone of my phone gets me out of my anger-filled mood. It’s Cassie.
“Hello.”
“Hi, babe. Are you coming over?”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, confused between what I really want and what must be done, I answer, “I’ll be there soon, sunshine.” I hate myself for playing her. Though I can’t see her, I know how happy she is right at this moment. Trust me, that doesn’t help my guilt.
“I’ll be waiting for you, all in lace.”
I cough at her boldness. “O–kay. I won’t be long.” When I hang up, I’m feeling sick to my stomach. Not because of what is to come, but because of how selfish I’ve gotten in such a short time.
There’s no urgency on my drive over to her place, where I park up front and then take a couple of deep breaths. The best way to do this is to leave my feelings behind in the car, start with my head in the game.
The door is unlocked, so I go on in. “Cassie?” I call her name as I don’t see her or hear any sound on the first floor.
“Upstairs.”
Great. Her bedroom, I bet. Step-by-step, I get to the second floor of the house. Everything smells like roses and vanilla. Jesus Christ, what have I done?
“Tommy, in here.”
Spinning around, I find her sitting on a white leather love seat surrounded by candles. Two wine glasses sit next her.
“Where were you?” she asks with a pout.
“I had a client to meet for a draft of their new bedroom plan.”
“I’ve been waiting all evening for you to get back.”
My reply is terse. “I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll call to keep you posted with my day planning.”
She uncrosses her legs—on purpose I’m sure—and flashes her garters at me. A spoiled rich young woman, Cassie gets what she wants at all time. I know what she wants right now, again, but I don’t think I can give it to her this time.
“Sunshine, why don’t we chill and talk for now? Sex isn’t going to bring us closer.”
“I thought we were talking.”
&
nbsp; Will this end with us married next week or something? Sheesh. “It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since we’ve been back in touch.”
Clearly annoyed, Cassie stands up, grabs my hand, and drags me over to the love seat in the corner of her bedroom. In the next second she is straddling me, thrusting her fake breasts in my face. They’d been natural when we were together the first time.
Her long, baby pink nails tickle my jaw on each side. “What do you want to talk about?”
It seems her D cups are causing my brain to malfunction. “How... how have you been? What’s new in your life?” Besides your tits?
“I graduated, spent a month in Thailand with Sherri, got my new girls,” she lifts her body and shakes them at me, “…and I’ve gotten a few modeling gigs.”
We were supposed to go to Thailand together. I’m glad one of us stuck to the plan. “How was Thailand?”
Cassie had wanted to go so bad. To party, to be free without her parents worrying about the time she would get to bed. They always had strict rules and she’d followed them all.
“It was better than I thought it would be. Best place to party, best food ever, and I made friends around the world.”
“I’m glad you were able to go.”
She shakes her head. “Yeah, well, I wish you would have come with me. It wasn’t the same with Sherri.”
“Sorry.” The more time I spend with her, the more I’m hating myself.
“What about you?” Cassie prods. “What have you been doing with your life?”
The thing is, nothing has changed for me. My life has never been more boring, except, of course, for what I’m about to do. “Meh, same old. I started my own company and I’ve been working a lot.”
“Congrats on that, I know that’s something you wanted.”
I sigh, but she doesn’t push for more information. Instead, she covers my hand with hers and I look down to have my heart stop, or I think it does. She’s wearing the ring. It’s gorgeous, huge, and it sparkles more than the fucking sun.
“Did you get married or what? That’s one huge rock,” the words blurt out before I can stop them. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but I hadn’t expected the ring to be this beautiful. It’s taken me by surprise.
“Someone did propose to me in Thailand, but I said no. This old thing is nothing more than a simple ring I got,” she’s downplaying the jewel; she knows the value of it.
“It’s very pretty.”
“Thanks.” Cassie stretches her arm out and elongates her fingers to better look at it. “I guess it is a nice one.”
The way she’s said it, like it is only a cheap trinket, makes me wince. I need to get that damn ring. Not tonight, of course, but as soon as possible.
My eyes are glued to it like a kid’s would be to a candy bar. Her lingerie and her attempts to seduce me don’t distract me one bit. I follow Cassie to her walk-in wardrobe and watch her change into a t-shirt and pair of sexy panties. Looking around in discreet fashion, I’m trying to find her safe, or a jewelry box. Anything at this point.
With a delicate hand, she places the ring into a square, velvet box, then kneels down by a small cabinet hidden between her vast collection of shoes and purses. Cassie opens the door, and there it is, the safe.
“I don’t know how you remember the numbers without difficulty. I have one of those at work and I keep forgetting them.” My nerves are showing while I say unnecessary things.
She laughs. “Use your birthday, or mine. Something easy.”
“Yeah, maybe I should think about that.”
Five minutes later, I am in my car and speeding back to my place. I need air, space, and whiskey. In that order.
3
Drunk as a sailor, and crying like a baby, I’ve never been this secluded in my entire life. I can’t say Mom is present in my life, or my sister, and I might be the one to blame. I’ve hurt my mother over a stupid matter, and I wasn’t there for her when Dad passed away and she needed me. I’m responsible for her pain.
* * *
“What kind of a man have you turned into, TJ? I didn’t raise you like this.”
“Mom, I’m doing what’s right for me.”
“Are you on drugs or what? Last week you were shopping for rings and today you are breaking up with her. You wanted to marry her. What changed?”
“Nothing, Mom. That’s the problem. With Cassie, nothing ever happens. I always have to make all the decisions, whether it’s for dinner or her studies. She is a shadow. I want to spend my life with someone who can stand tall with me.”
“She is standing next to you, about to get her architect degree, just like you. I don’t understand you, Thomas. I think there’s something wrong with you.”
“I’m done with you, then. I’m not only breaking up with Cassie, but with all of you. You clearly love her more than me.”
* * *
Looking at the sky from the porch off my living room, I’m angry at myself. Or is it disgusted? One glimpse of the ring and I wanted to take it away from Cassie like a predator wants its prey. A stupid ring is making me do things I don’t agree with, but I’m going to take it, like a heartless thug. On top of that, I’m going to break Cassie’s heart again.
I empty my bottle, then sit on the floor of my porch. Tears cover my face but I don’t give a fuck.
The one thing my dad insisted I follow, I didn’t, and now I have to find a way to fix the mess I’ve put myself into. The end result will remain the same, though. I need to get that damn pink diamond. For my mother, and my sister. I owe it to them for being away and selfish when Thomas passed. The money I’ll get for the diamond will allow them to live without the financial stress of the hospital bills. The guilt is eating at me.
My legs are weak, so I stay out on the porch until I pass out.
The cool night breeze wakes me up and I manage to stumble back inside to my bed. My skin’s cold, and nothing could feel better than the thick comforter I gather around me. The hangover is already looming, making me aware how hard it will hit in the morning, so I vow to sleep in until mid-afternoon.
Noise in my kitchen wakes me up next. Who the hell is in there? I haven’t invited anyone over, or given a copy of my key out.
“Cassie?” I try to call loud enough to be heard over all the noise but my voice breaks and my head is hurting too much. I roll out of bed pissed off that someone is here intruding when I want to be left alone. “Cassie?” I say again turning the corner which brings me to the kitchen.
“Sorry, it’s not Cassie.”
I can’t believe my eyes. Harlow is standing in the middle of my kitchen. All my pots and casserole dishes are on the counters.
“I don’t know how you can find anything in here. You aren’t organized at all.”
Of course, she has to get on my last nerve the second I see her again. “What the hell are you doing here? As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t invite you here, nor did I give you my address. How did you get in here anyway?”
“Great, I feel wanted.”
I’m mesmerized as she pulls her wavy hair out of her face and into a bun on top of her head. “Uh.” What’s wrong with her? Doesn’t she have any manners at all?
“FYI, I don’t need a key to get where I want to be.”
She’s a thief. Of course. “What do you want from me?”
Groaning at me, she rolls her eyes making it known she thinks I’m the stupidest human on the planet. “Don’t you get it?”
“I don’t.”
She steps closer to me. “You and I are the new generation. We have to be friends and work together. I’ll help you get the diamond, the same way your father and my dad would have worked together.”
“No, this won’t be happening again. It’s a one-time deal for me. I don’t want to make this my life.”
“You say that now, but you’ll change your mind.”
“Harlow, don’t. You don’t know shit about me.”
She laughs. “I know you more than
you think.”
Can I kick her out? Why bother? She’ll just get back inside without much effort if she wants. “I don’t want to go over my life ambitions this morning. Not now, or tomorrow, and not with you. I want to be left alone. Can you do that? And wait until someone invites you in next time.” I’m right in her face by the time I’m done. My breath must be terrible, won’t blame her if she gets sick.
“Your father was much nicer than you. You’re an ass.”
“Thank you. Now, go.”
She turns around, frustrated. “I can’t believe you are kicking me out.”
“And don’t come back,” I think but say out loud, and then regret the words. They weren’t meant to be heard.
“Men,” she says with a groan and slams the door behind her.
Harlow is way too much to handle. I don’t have enough patience for this. Pulling out a chair, I sit and hate what life has thrown at me. Can I be done with this day already? This goddamn plan, too? I grab a piece of paper, from the stack not too far away on my kitchen table, and start jotting notes for the plan. The good thing is that I now know exactly where the diamond is. How to get it out of the safe is where I’ll have a hard time. For the sake of a diversion, it will be easier if I can get Cassie to invite a lot of people over for dinner or a party. This will also allow for the probability of more than one suspect. My thoughts turn to the lock. The safe combination might be her birthdate, like she suggested I use for mine. Or not. I do know that if I get to the damn safe, and can’t unlock it, then there’s no point in bothering in the first place. Maybe I should ask Ramsey for guidance? Not Harlow, though. Definitely not Harlow.
Not yet, anyway.
Trying not to think too much about the consequences, the one thing I do know is that I’ll have to spend more time with Cassie. It would be smart to make her believe I’m not capable of doing anything like this. If I hop in and out of her life, it’ll be suspicious. This plan has to be followed through until the end.