Playing Lily

Chapter1

Elijah

Mikey’s watch was like a ticking time bomb, that steady mechanical rhythm was starting to grate on my nerves.

“Two minutes left mate,” I mumbled into the comms, keeping my gaze sharp on both sides of the hallway.

I mean really, how hard was it to break into a safe? Even a five year old could manage something so basic.

Mikey’s triumphant laugh cut through the heavy air.

“Shut the hell up,” I hissed, stepping fully inside the room.

Neutral colors. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Marble floor. Not much, but clearly screamed wealth. My eyes flicked to the hallway again.

Still clear.

Then to the family portrait hanging over the master bed. Every single person, smiling like it had been glued to their faces.

Like over a dozen Dons aren’t in the basement, all gathered to play a weekly game of betting. Men who take pleasure in taking from the weak and helpless.

The hiss of the mechanical safe was sharp enough to draw me back.

Right. The mission. Alex should’ve gotten to the basement access point by now.

“How’s it going on your end, Alex?”

Static.

I frowned.

“Alex?”

Mikey shot me a narrow glance before turning to rummage through Senator Drewmoore’s safe. The plan was simple. Get into his house, take the flash drive and cover it up as a robbery.

“Got it,” Mikey said sheepishly, tucking the drive into his pocket.

The plan was simple… until it wasn’t.

The shriek from down below was sharp enough to make both our heads snap.

That was our cue. Alex was in.

When I looked back at Mikey, he was still crouched beside the safe, eyes now locked on the hallway. I, on the other hand, did not appreciate being in this room. Reminded me too much of where I used to come from.

“What are you waiting for?” I snapped, mechanically pulling out the pistol from my holster. “Grab the cash. The necklace too.”

Mikey rolled his eyes but did as I said. “I know. I know.” He mumbled as he shoved the rest of the things into a duffel bag. “It has to look like a robbery.”

I ignored him, taking one step into the hallway. “Clear.”

The scarf around my neck was starting to itch. Or maybe it was just my body telling me to get the hell out of there. I didn’t. Instead, I pulled it over my face, enough that a good percentage of my features were hidden.

I didn’t move until Mikey was right beside me. I racked the slide. The metallic click echoed through the silent hallway. Silent thanks to Alex and C. Guards were out like a light.

We took a sharp turn. Clear. Cameras all down. Perfect.

I slowed, letting Mikey catch up.

The closer we got to the basement, the more my skin sizzled with anticipation. It was time Santos got what he deserved.

Mikey kicked the doors open and immediately, chaos followed.

Screams. Cursing and at the center of it all, Santos Fernandez. The biggest crime boss in New York City. His face was twisted with barely restrained rage, his eyes fixed on the man with a gun to his head.

Alex.

Alex’s head tilted to the side and although his face was covered, I could see the glimmer of insanity in his eyes.

“Put the f*****g watch,” Alex tapped on Santo’s temple with the barrel. “In the bag.”

Santos was a born leader. A bastard used to power. Today, he had none. So naturally, his face was as red, veins popping from his neck.

“You boys have no idea who you’re messing with.” He gritted, then his hard eyes flicked to the rest of my crew. “Leave. Now. Maybe I’ll let your loved ones see the light of day.”

Mikey laughed. Loud. Even through the ruckus, it pierced through. “Nice try, old man. But-“

“Get the pearls,” I cut in before he said something that could possibly get us caught.

Mikey huffed, muttering something under his breath before doing as I said. I left Alex to his vice, moving deeper into the basement. Surveillance room. Winery. I shoved a velvet red curtain open. Then froze.

The noise outside seemed dull behind the ringing in my ears. My pulse went cold.

What kind of trick was this?

A soft whimper escaped the only person present beside me. Her blue eyes though tired, scanning my face.

The world around me seemed to blur.

Lily?

It couldn’t be.

So I waited.

The look in her eyes moved from dread to fear then slowly… curiosity. Not recognition. My grip on the curtain tightened.