by Pamela Clare
“So you have what I need?” Murrell asked, his voice tight.
“Yes, but I need to know when you’re planning…everything.”
He snorted. “Why, so you can turn me in to the cops?”
“Are you stupid? I need to know so I have enough time to get out of town. Kevin, what you’re planning is stupid. Why don’t you just take your cash and forget this whole thing. You don’t need this score. Christiansen will eventually figure out it was me who helped you.” She sounded desperate, just like they’d planned.
Kevin scooted a foot closer, his hand landing on Ellie’s shoulder. Ellie didn’t push him away, but she looked annoyed. “And here I thought you might care about me, but you’re just looking out for yourself.”
“I’m looking out for both of us. You don’t know what Christiansen is like. If he discovers you’re involved he’ll come after you hard. And he won’t use the law to do it.” Now she sounded terrified.
“What do you think De Luca will do to me if I back out? I don’t have a choice at this point,” he muttered.
Ellie jerked, her reaction so realistic it made Jay smile. “What the hell? You’re working with De Luca?” she whispered the last part. “Are you insane?” Kevin hadn’t told her about De Luca before so she had to appear truly shocked at this revelation.
Kevin watched her for a long moment before he scrubbed a hand over his face. Shrugging, he looked away from her, glancing around the center. People milled around the kiosks and in and out of the stores. It wasn’t too busy, but steady enough and with plenty of people for Jay’s team to blend in. When Kevin seemed satisfied he turned back to Ellie. “He doesn’t know anything about before. And I didn’t originally plan to work with him. It just happened that way.”
“How?” Ellie demanded.
“I might have been bragging to someone in his crew about how I knew you and that if I wanted I could get my hands on…the collection. With your help.” His inference to the jewels was understood, but he wasn’t coming out and being specific. It was clear he trusted Ellie enough, obviously because he thought she was alone. And it also stood to reason that he didn’t have backup listening since he’d brought up the subject of De Luca to her.
Ellie cursed and turned away from him, as if disgusted. “That’s so stupid. Now you’re dragging me down with you. And all because of your big mouth. Why am I not surprised?”
“If I remember right, you used to like my mouth.” The softly spoken innuendo made Jay’s blood turn icy.
Turning away from the sight of them, he continued scanning the area while listening to their conversation. Bejar had taken up a spot on a bench directly across from them on the other side of the fountain. He was too far away to hear anything but close enough that Jay didn’t like it. “Anyone see anything else?” Jay asked the team. Focus. He had to stay focused on the mission, not that bastard’s words to Ellie.
As everyone murmured negative responses, Ellie made a disgusted sound to Murrell. “I was seventeen and stupid.”
“So what, you think you’re too good for me now?”
“Are you kidding me? I thought you wanted information, not to dredge up the past. Your big mouth got us into this mess and I’m walking away. I don’t have time for this.” Ellie stood, her willingness to walk from him a solidification of her cover.
Kevin reached out and grabbed her forearm. On instinct Jay reached for his SIG. Not like he could do anything with it from here. Another smart reason why he’d been relegated to the bell tower. If he’d been close, Jay might not have been able to stop himself from making a move. It didn’t matter that he’d had the best training in the world. Seeing another male’s hand on Ellie like that made all his training and control dissipate.
Ellie didn’t yank away, but sat back down, her body rigid. “Get your hand off me or I’ll rip your nuts off.”
The threat was so un-Ellie like it made Jay smile. Hell yeah, that was his woman.
Murrell released her, but moved in close. Too close. “You give me what I want and my money and we’re even.”
“I’ll give you the plans you need, but that’s it. It was damn hard getting these. If you take this file, then I’m out. I’m taking that money and starting over somewhere. If you let this drop I’ll give you the cash and you can leave town. If not, I’m not sticking around waiting for Christiansen to take me out.”
“Your boss is really like that?”
Ellie snorted indelicately, as if Murrell was stupid. “He didn’t get to be so wealthy playing by the rules, and he’s a former Marine. What do you think?”
That was actually true, Jay knew. Not the part about him killing people, but Wyatt definitely didn’t play by the rules.
“I think I want that file and my money,” Murrell growled low in his throat, his words barely audible on the scratchy audio feed.
“You get one or the other. You choose,” Ellie said, all confidence but Jay knew this was hard on her.
When Murrell paused, Jay could actually feel the tension from the rest of the team members as they waited for his response. They were all ready to strike at Murrell if he made one wrong move. Not that it did anything to ease the clawing, aching fear he experienced every second the woman he loved was sitting next to that piece of garbage.
Finally Murrell sighed. “How’d you get this information anyway? And how do I know it’s good?”
“You’ll know as soon as you look at it and it’s none of your business how I got it.”
“How?” There was a warning note in Murrell’s voice that made all the hair on Jay’s neck stand on end. What he wouldn’t give to end the guy’s life right now.
“I have full access to my boss’s computer. I found some backup files on there. And it wasn’t easy to access. I covered my tracks, but he’ll eventually figure out it was me who leaked them. I…also included some other information for you. It should help if you decide to do this asinine thing. Now what’s your choice?”
He paused again, but this time the silence was much shorter. “The file. And if you double cross me, I’ll kill that pussy you’re living with and make you watch.”
Ellie laughed, mocking Murrell. “You’re an idiot,” she said, seemingly unfazed. But Jay recognized the underlying thread of emotion she was trying desperately to hide. Fear. For him. Throat tight, he looked away and did another scan of the perimeter and exits as they continued to talk.
“So what’s his deal, anyway?” The question sounded casual, but Jay watched the subtle way Murrell tensed, turning his legs and body toward Ellie. He wanted the answer to this question, the nuances of his body language giving him away.
She reached into her jeans’ pocket and smoothly slid the flash drive into Murrell’s palm as if they were simply shaking hands. “I’m not talking about my personal life. This is it. You do whatever you want with it, I’m not helping you anymore. Now that I know you’re working with De Luca I know you won’t tell him about that money. And it’s mine now. I’m taking it and leaving since you chose the stupid option.”
Murrell grabbed Ellie’s jaw in a tight grip. “You’ve got a fiery little mouth on you now, bitch.”
Jay headed for the exit, ready to race down the stairs, but froze at Iris’s words. “Stay put, Jay. She’s okay.”
Before he could respond, Murrell made a gasping, choking sound. Then he heard Ellie’s voice, loud and clear. “I told you not to touch me again.”
“Your girl just grabbed his junk and twisted,” Roman said under his breath, awe in his voice.
Relief slammed through Jay with the intensity of a fifty cal. He resumed his post, using the shadows to cover him as he moved back to the opening. As he slid back into place Jay saw Murrell limping away in the same direction he’d come. Bejar left his seat at the same time, going with Murrell, not in Ellie’s direction. Lucky for him.
“I’ve got eyes on him. I’ll tail him until he leaves the parking lot,” Iris said.
“V and I are shadowing Ellie until she gets to her
car,” Wyatt said quietly and Jay watched as he stood from the nearby bench, moving ahead of Ellie.
It still stunned Jay that his boss had managed to disguise himself as an old man so well. Even though nothing would completely relieve Jay until Ellie was back in their hotel suite and in his arms again, some of his tension fled as he watched her head to her rental car, Wyatt and V nearby in case anything happened. They’d have to blow their cover to protect her, but that was a risk they were all willing to take.
Now that the first part of their plan had been put into motion, they just had to wait for Murrell and De Luca to make their move. Unfortunately they couldn’t pinpoint exactly when they’d strike so they’d have to be on guard 24/7 until De Luca and Kevin were completely out of the picture. Until that happened, Jay knew he’d never relax again.
Chapter Sixteen
“What the hell was that all about?” Tadeo asked the second they shut the doors to the minivan.
Still seething, Kevin unclenched his jaw, struggling to take a breath. He couldn’t believe Ellie had grabbed his junk like that. She was nothing like the quiet, docile girl he remembered. He shifted against the passenger seat, trying to get more comfortable, his balls protesting in pain as he moved. Stupid bitch. “Needed to remind her who was in charge.”
“How’d that work for you, mano?” Tadeo rolled his eyes as he steered out of the parking lot.
Kevin didn’t bother responding as he turned in his seat to see if they were being followed. He doubted it since no one had made themselves known when he’d grabbed Ellie’s jaw. And she hadn’t been looking around for backup. No, she’d just gone straight for his goods. “You see anyone out of place back there?”
“Don’t think so. Besides, when you manhandled her like that we’d have known if she had backup.”
“Yeah.” It was partially why he’d grabbed her like that, but mainly he’d wanted to wipe that obnoxious look off her pretty face. He couldn’t believe the way she’d talked to him. If they hadn’t been in public he’d have done a lot more than grab her. Taking his aggression out on this new version of her could be very therapeutic.
Tadeo shook his head, chuckling as he continued. “Can’t believe she grabbed you like that. It was crazy. You shoulda seen your face. You at least get you what we need?”
Kevin wanted to knock that stupid smile off Tadeo’s face, but he kept his cool. Until he had his own crew to back him up, Tadeo was one of his few allies in Vegas. He could let a little disrespect slide, especially since he knew Tadeo wasn’t being malicious. “Let’s find out,” he said, pulling out the stolen laptop he’d brought from under his seat. His balls still hurt, but the pain was already fading.
Flipping it open, he waited for it to boot up before plugging the flash drive in. In case she’d decided to plant a tracking device in it, he copied all the files. Soon he’d destroy the flash drive and toss the remaining pieces.
As file after file popped up, his heart rate increased and his anger began to fade. She might be a bitch now but it looked as if she’d come through. He quickly scanned the standard building plans, then the additional plans that showed all the security measures Christiansen had put into place. The information on the extra security was gold. He’d have to go over everything more in depth once they had more privacy but at first glance he knew exactly how to steal the jewels.
Continuing through the rest of the files, he paid special attention to the security schedule she’d given him. And that was how he knew she wasn’t lying. He didn’t have all the guards’ routines yet, but the ones he did have matched perfectly with her information. If she’d lied it would have made him more suspicious.
Looked like this was going to work out in his favor. He might have made a mistake by running his mouth in front of one of Tadeo’s cousins—who had then relayed everything to De Luca—about being able to rob Christiansen, but everything was going to work out. That was what happened when you thought big.
Eventually he’d take over De Luca’s territory, but for now he’d create a name for himself with this robbery. He’d become known in certain circles and it would give him the credentials he needed to start his own crew. And Ellie was definitely going to die after the heist.
He hadn’t been sure before, but now he didn’t care what De Luca did to her, especially after the way she’d disrespected him. He still wanted his money too, but if he had to give it up for this information, it would be worth it in the long run.
Chapter Seventeen
Three days later
Jay stared at the monitor in V’s office, unable to believe De Luca had sent Kevin and his crew in to steal the Dragon Collection only three days after receiving the plans from Ellie. “They’re actually good,” Jay murmured, watching as the small four man team worked together in perfect synchronicity.
“Laziness or incompetency was never his problem,” Ellie said. “He just thinks the world owes him and likes to take from those he views as having the success he should have.”
Jay tightened his arm around her waist, pulling her close. “After tonight he’s never going to bother you again.”
Sitting on one of the chairs in V’s office, Ellie was in Jay’s lap, right where she belonged. It was just after midnight and they’d received a call from Wyatt that everything was going down tonight. One of the security teams he’d had stationed around the perimeter of the hotel had spotted Murrell. Then V had verified him with their facial recognition software. Just once, because Murrell and his small crew had been very careful about avoiding security cameras. It was pretty damn impossible considering how many they had at the Serafina, but he’d come close.
As they continued watching, the office door made a soft whooshing sound as it opened behind them. Wyatt stepped into the office with a satisfied grin on his face. Even with the late hour the man was dressed in a three-piece custom-made suit looking every bit the billionaire he was. “Everything’s in place. Hurley’s inside man came through. SWAT now has the location of the meeting place after they take the jewels. Apparently De Luca plans to eliminate Murrell at the meeting. No loose ends. It won’t get that far though.”
“That’s too bad,” Jay muttered, earning a half-grin from Wyatt.
“The team will infiltrate the moment the jewels are in De Luca’s hands. Murrell is going down too and I’ve been assured there’s no chance of him getting out early again. Not after this. We’re handing the cops De Luca and the state’s attorney is feeling very generous about that.”
Ellie let out a big sigh, melting against Jay. “I can’t believe this is almost over. Thank you guys. All of you. So much. Words will never be enough, but…” Her voice cracked once but she continued. “Just thank you.”
Wyatt’s expression softened a fraction as he nodded. “Something else that might make you feel even better. That bastard Leonard is going away for a long time too.”
At that both Jay and Ellie straightened. “For what?” Ellie asked before he could.
“Involvement in drug trafficking and the skin trade. It’s why Hurley was there undercover. Your appearance that day moved his time table up when Leonard fired him, but it worked out for the best. Been waiting to tell you guys, but couldn’t until the charges were official,” he said before stepping over to the monitors and murmuring quietly to Vadim.
Ellie shifted against Jay’s lap, her dark eyes bright with something he recognized. Hope. “If they don’t need us here anymore there’s something I want to do. I know it’s late, but—”
Unable to stop himself, Jay brushed a kiss over her soft lips. “Let’s do it,” he murmured.
Her eyebrows pulled together. “You don’t even know what it is.”
“I think I can guess.” She wanted to retrieve the money Murrell had stolen. She still hadn’t told him where it was, but Jay knew her better than anyone.
“I don’t want to keep any of it. If we turn it in, the cops will just keep it as evidence. We should donate it.”
He grinned. “I can think of
a few places that could use it.”
“Me too. We’ll need to change…and get shovels.”
“I’m going to pretend I don’t know what you two are talking about,” Wyatt said without turning from the monitors. “I’ll text you once they’ve cleared the hotel and you’re good to go. Use one of the employee exits and take what you need from maintenance.”
*
Kevin’s heart was an erratic beat in his ears as he and Tadeo slid into the backseat of the nondescript SUV they’d used for this heist. He couldn’t believe how smoothly everything had gone. Everything Ellie had given him was perfect. Which should have eased the tension that had settled in his gut.
Instead it was worse.
The lead ball of worry in his chest that had been with him the past three days was jagged and angry, telling him something was wrong. He just couldn’t figure out what it was. De Luca had told him and Tadeo that the rumor was Ellie had split town. No one had seen her since the meeting at the shopping center and while it hadn’t been officially announced, she hadn’t been seen with Christiansen publicly. Her boyfriend had been with the billionaire, but not Ellie. De Luca was pissed, thinking that Kevin had told her to run, but Tadeo had assured the man that Kevin hadn’t. That she’d run because she’d known what would happen to her.
Guess she hadn’t been kidding about leaving town. De Luca would catch up to her eventually. Or maybe Christiansen. Kevin didn’t care as long as she ended up dead.
The bright neon lights of the city flew by as they cruised down the main strip. Even when they turned off onto a side street, the colorful display didn’t fade. This place truly never slept. Right now he felt as if he’d never sleep again either. He was always like this after a job. While this one had gone smoothly, it was still an adrenaline rush, stealing something so valuable. Something no one had attempted before. It hadn’t been easy either, but with the right plans and all the practice they’d done, the job had gone off without a hitch.