The Cocky Thief (Stolen Hearts Book 1)

by Mallory Crowe

“Right where he said it would be.” Isobel detached a large manila envelope that had been duct taped to the bottom of the chair. She ran her finger along the top and then spilled the contents onto the one and only bed in the dingy room.

  Jennifer stepped forward and spread out everything. “Passports, IDs, credit cards... This must’ve cost a fortune.” The wad of hundreds that spilled out was hopefully real.

  “Like I said, I wouldn’t plan a job this big and not have an escape route in place. Ajax does the best fakes on the West Coast. These are the best money can buy, and it will be taken out of your considerable share of the profits.” She opened the passports and handed them out accordingly. “We’re going to split up. Three women are easier to spot than lone travelers. And in three days, we’ll meet in Amsterdam.” She looked up with a victorious smile in place. “Easy.”

  Mel picked out her documents and studied some paperwork. “I’m getting a rental car? You really don’t have faith in me anymore, do you?”

  Jennifer playfully punched her in the shoulder. “Price of being the youngest, Mel. You get stuck with all the overprotectiveness.” Truth was that Mel had been out of the game for six years. Car was the slowest and most annoying way to travel, but there were less cameras and security measures involved. The California airports would probably be crawling with guys on Stranger’s or Sterling’s payroll.

  Jennifer looked over her documents. She was the one booked on the flight. Made sense considering the security guys at the house were only around her for two nights. They’d seen Isobel a lot longer.

  “Why leave in the morning?” asked Jennifer. “If we leave now, we can put more distance between us faster.”

  “It’s one in the morning. Everywhere will be so deserted that we’ll stand out like sore thumbs. If we wait until the morning rush, we shouldn’t have a problem. I don’t want them to find out where we’re going based off of security footage.”

  Jennifer knew Isobel was right, but the one bed in the room didn’t look big enough to share and she didn’t want to think about the bugs that might be on the floor.

  “Armchair it is,” she said with a sigh as she fell into the stiff upholstery and took off her shoes.

  Melody sat on the bed and the worry was plastered all over her face. “Everything okay over there?” asked Jennifer.

  Mel seemed to snap out of it. “Yeah. I was just thinking about that guy, Austin Raye.”

  “That’s probably not his name,” said Jennifer, probably a little too quickly, but she couldn’t tell if Mel caught on.

  “Well, whatever his name was, do you think he got out?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “He was there for exactly the same reason we were and if our places were switched, he would’ve done the same thing to me, okay?”

  Mel held up her hands. “Fine. Sorry I asked.” She backed up onto the bed and reached for the remote to turn on the television.

  As she flipped through channels, Jennifer let her head fall back onto the top of the armchair. Austin would’ve left her. Like the old saying went, there was no honor among thieves, no matter what kind of connection they might’ve had. But he had run with her. He hadn’t abandoned her and even though she wasn’t wearing the highest heels, he must’ve been slowed down.

  No. No matter what happened to Austin from here on out, he was out of her life for good.

  “I need to find Jennifer Murray now,” demanded Austin as he paced back and forth in the small hotel room Hart had booked.

  Hart unzipped his jacket and folded it before he set it onto the desk chair. Austin was too distracted to be fully annoyed that the guy folded his jacket, but made a mental note to make fun of Hart about it later.

  “They’re probably halfway to Japan right now,” said Hart nonchalantly as he crossed his arms over his chest and faced Austin. “We’ll worry about it tomorrow.”

  Austin stopped in his tracks and stared at Hart. “Worry about it tomorrow? What the hell is wrong with you? You drag me out here, blackmail me, make me risk my life to get this damn necklace and now that it could be going off the grid for decades, you’re just fine and fucking dandy?”

  Instead of answering, Hart reached into his bag and pulled something small and rectangular out before he tossed it over to Austin. “Here you go. Payment for services rendered. Now go back to your room and let me sleep.”

  Austin stared at the USB drive in his hand. The one that had almost gotten him killed by Hart. And now he was just handing it over. “You never wanted the necklace,” he said as it clicked.

  “It’s not really my style,” he deadpanned.

  “This was about Sterling the whole time. You didn’t want it; you just want to make sure Sterling doesn’t get it.”

  Hart’s expression didn’t change, but he didn’t deny it. “You did good, Miles. Go get some sleep. You deserve it.”

  “Those girls have no idea what they’re up against. If Sterling finds them before we do, he’s going to have the necklace right back.”

  “Don’t be naive. I’ve heard of Isobel Murray before. Not by that name, but she’s caught the attention of the cops before. She knew exactly who she was getting in bed with and what she was ripping off. At this point, we have to assume they have as good of an exit plan as they can have. If Sterling catches up with them, we’ll deal with it then.”

  No! He wasn’t going to let this once-in-a-lifetime score just disappear forever. “You’re a cop! Call your buddies in blue or something and get help!”

  Hart fished his wallet out of his back pocket and flipped it open, showing an empty space where a badge used to be. “Not anymore.”

  That was new. But Austin figured it made sense. Hart couldn’t really be on the force and teaming up with guys like him. Knowing that didn’t make Austin feel better, though. “You’re not a cop? You’ve got no backup and you’ve decided to take on Jonathan Sterling all on your own? You should be grateful those women got that necklace before us because you don’t stand a chance once you’re on his radar.”

  “I know what I’m up against,” he said simply.

  “Oh, do you? Do you know what guys like Sterling do to people who steal from them? What do you think is going to happen if they catch Jennifer Murray? Even if they get the necklace back, he’s going to want vengeance.”

  Hart tilted his head. “Are you more worried about your girlfriend or the necklace?”

  “I—” Fuck, this night had not gone how he wanted. “Fine. You get your precious beauty rest and give me your computer. I’ll sort this mess out on my own.”

  Hart handed over his laptop and power cord. Austin reached for it, but Hart held on. “I know exactly what Sterling is capable of, Miles. I probably know better than anyone. So the next time you want to accuse me of not knowing the stakes, shove it up your ass.”

  Hart let go of the computer and Austin decided to let him have the final word. If Hart really wasn’t afraid of Sterling, that meant something very telling. It was hard to be afraid when you had nothing to lose.

  Austin went to his door via the connecting doorway. Hart had booked two rooms when he arrived late yesterday and had made sure both rooms looked lived in. If Sterling’s men were especially thorough, they’d be looking for people who just checked in tonight.

  Austin plugged in the computer and got online. Facebook was the best way to keep in contact with extended family and extended criminals. He didn’t have too many contacts in the San Francisco area, but he knew one or two people. After a flurry of emails, messages, and calls, he confirmed that no one knew about any Isobel, Jennifer, or Melody Murray. But one name kept coming up when he asked about the best escape routes: the local master of the fake identity, Ajax.

  After sending two messages with no response, Austin tried the phone, but no one picked up. From what his contacts said, Ajax worked out of a pawn shop downtown, but it didn’t open until eight in the morning. Austin leaned back in his chair and ran his hand over his face. Ajax was the only lead he had and he
was limited with what he could do with no car and a laptop.

  The only thing left to do at least for the next couple of hours was get some rest. Hart didn’t seem concerned at all about getting the necklace back, but Austin wasn’t ready to let his score slip away. Hell, maybe if he got it back, Hart would let him keep all the cash he got for it.

  Who was he kidding? This wasn’t just about the necklace, no matter how many millions it was worth. Was he mad at her? Hell yes. She’d made off with his score. Sure, she’d done all the legwork, but that wasn’t his problem. It wasn’t as if she could claim the Dragon Heart hers to steal. When he was hired to do a job, he was used to getting it done. Now that he had the USB drive he was hired to get from Seal Cove Inn, he could mark it in the win file, but this still felt like two losses in a row. For a guy who never lost, that was a lot to handle.

  And as mad as he was that Jennifer had got the drop on him, he’d heard rumors of what happened the last time Sterling was ripped off. The son of a bitch had gotten farther than most. He’d been holed up in a small hut in Tibet, waiting for the heat to blow over, and Sterling’s men had found him. Once the remains were found, his body would’ve never been identified, but one sole finger could still be printed. The face and rest of the body had been mutilated so that it didn’t even look human.

  All of this had been done while the poor sap was alive. It was so bad that everyone Austin had heard tell the story was certain that lone fingerprint was left on purpose. Sterling wanted people to know what would happen to those who crossed him. Austin might be mad at Jennifer, but to think of her ending up in his clutches... Yeah, he didn’t want to even consider that possibility.

  Austin kicked off his shoes and lay down on the bed, keeping all his clothes on. He slept worse while fully dressed and he wanted to be alert through the night. Even though he hadn’t gotten away with anything, he didn’t have any illusions. By this point, Sterling, and Stranger by default, would be looking for him too.

  By the time morning rolled around, Austin had collected a total of maybe two hours of sleep. He didn’t think he’d be able to squeak out any more, so he pounded on Hart’s connecting door. He thought it would take a few minutes to wake up the scheming cop, but after only two bangs, Hart pulled open the door. Nothing like waking up to that angry scowl.

  “Morning, sunshine,” deadpanned Austin. “Ready to hit the road?”

  “It’s six in the morning. Where do we need to be?”

  “Where else? We’re going to a pawn shop.”

  Hart didn’t look convinced. “They wouldn’t have hocked the necklace at a local pawn shop.”

  “This place sells something much more interesting than stolen jewelry. It sold them their future.”

  After fighting through rush-hour traffic, Hart and Austin made it to Ajax’s pawn shop. Even though San Francisco was known for being nice, Ajax had somehow found the worst part of town to open up shop.

  Some criminals just felt more comfortable when there were bars on the windows and graffiti on the walls. Hart parallel parked right in front of the shop and they both looked at the hole-in-the-wall shop. “I thought you said this place didn’t open until eight,” said Hart.

  “That’s what it said online.”

  “Then why is the door open?”

  Shit. That wasn’t a good sign. Austin reached for the car door, but Hart held out his arm. “Give me your gun.”

  Austin frowned. “How did you know I had a gun?”

  “Because that’s something I pay attention to. Give it to me.”

  “Why should you have the gun?”

  “Because I’ve been working with handguns since I was twelve and I don’t trust you.”

  Austin thought it over. He was a good shot, but he had a feeling the stick up Hart’s ass meant he spent more time at the range than any sane person should. Also, the guy with the gun normally went in first, and the person who went in first got shot first. Austin leaned forward and pulled the gun out of his waistband. “Here.”

  Hart dropped the magazine and checked the number of bullets before he slid it back in and loaded a round in the chamber. “You ready?”

  “Ready when you are.” They both got out of the car and Austin let Hart go first. The guy had seemed adamant last night that he wasn’t worried about the Dragon Heart, but he hadn’t put up a fuss about indulging Austin’s morning trip. Austin didn’t know whether that meant he’d changed his mind or whether he was just curious.

  The shop was a mess when they walked in, but it looked as if it was normally that way. None of the glass display cases were broken, so it didn’t seem as though it had been robbed.

  “Hello?” called Austin.

  Hart held his gun on his side so it wouldn’t be the first thing anyone saw, but it was still ready to come out and do damage.

  “Anyone here?” called Hart.

  “We’re closed!” shouted someone from the back.

  Austin and Hart exchanged a look but neither headed for the door.

  Hart craned his neck to get a better view. “I have a few quick questions. I won’t take up a lot of time.”

  “What part of we’re closed is so hard to understand?” The voice suddenly gained a face as a man walked out from the employee-only backroom. It became suddenly apparent why he wasn’t exactly greeting customers with a smile. His face was beaten so badly one of his eyes was swollen shut and from the looks of it, the second eye was on its way to becoming equally as puffy.

  But the most disturbing thing was the hand wrapped up in gauze with a large red patch right were the man’s pinky finger used to be. “Sterling was here,” said Hart, reaching the same conclusion as Austin.

  “We’re closed for the day. Get the fuck out.”

  Austin stepped around the counter and faced down the man he was almost certain was Ajax. “Sterling’s guys were here. What did you tell them?”

  Ajax held up his hand. “Why do you think they stopped at one? I told them everything. You’re too late.”

  Jennifer looked down at her phone and back up. Still no word from Mel or Isobel but that was to be expected. Her fingers tapped a frantic rhythm against her thigh as she looked out the window at the planes taking off. Soon enough she’d be on one of those planes and maybe once they were in the air, she’d finally feel safe.

  Damn it, she was supposed to be getting ready for a wedding right now. And she’d had to abandon her favorite dresses back at the vineyard so now if she died, she’d have to be buried in some second-rate outfit.

  Who was she kidding? If she didn’t make it on that plane, she’d never get the chance to have a funeral. Funny the things the mind thought of when the adrenaline was pumping. Figures she’d think about clothes. She’d rather have couture on the mind than have to think about Austin any longer.

  She bit her lip, for once not having to worry about messing up her lipstick. She hadn’t had time to go full in on a disguise, but she’d been able to get a change of clothes from the twenty-four hour department store that should keep her hidden enough from anyone who looked. The only makeup she wore was some shading under her eyes and cheekbones to give her the heroin-chic look. Her hair was messy and covered her face.

  The baggy jeans and the white and pink flannel shirt kept her body shape hidden for the most part. She would’ve preferred to have a change of hair color, but time had been an issue and good wigs were just too hard to come by.

  Boarding started in thirty minutes. She just had to hang on long enough to get on that plane. She looked at her phone once more but nothing had changed in the last thirty seconds. Twenty-nine more minutes. This day would never end...

  She looked back out the window, but this time a different face looked back at her through the reflection in the glass. A familiar, pissed-off face. She turned around, half expecting her hallucination to disintegrate like smoke in front of her, but no. The lawyer really was right there. “Oh no,” she breathed. “You can’t be here.”

  He raised a brow and one
corner of his mouth hooked up. “That’s where you’re wrong, honey. You’re the one who’s not supposed to be here.” He grabbed her arm and turned her in the opposite direction of the gate.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she whispered as she tried to pull herself free. But his grip was like steel on her and, even though he was walking as though nothing was wrong, she knew he would never let her go.

  “We never got to finish our talk last night. What do you think about a coffee date?”

  “I think I have a plane to catch.” She once again tugged at her arm.

  Austin abruptly stopped and twisted her around. “See those three guys over there?” He pointed to the gate across from them and sure enough, there were three men in black suits who looked sorely out of place. How had she missed them? Had they just arrived? Without thinking, she took a step back and Austin leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Your choice, sweetheart. Want to have that date or feel like taking your chances with those three?”

  “They might not be here for me.” Even she wasn’t convinced by the weak words.

  “Our good friend Ajax had an unfriendly visit this morning. Sterling knows everything. If you want to survive this, it’s time to change plans.”

  Jennifer twisted around to look at Austin. “If he knows everything, then what about my mom? Melody?”

  “Come with me and we can find out. You can’t do anything here and since Stranger probably isn’t too happy with me at the moment, I’d like to get the hell out of Dodge.”

  Jennifer scoffed. “I want to get out of here too, but I’m not going anywhere with you. You probably want to kill me just as much as they do.”

  “Yeah, but at least with me your death will be faster. Let’s go.”

  Jennifer gave one last look at the guys waiting for her and decided she’d rather take her chances with Austin. Wait... “What’s your name?” she asked.

  “Do we have to do this now?”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I know who you really are.”

  “Says the jewel thief,” he pointed out.