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I glanced over at Blake, who was sprawled on the couch with a half-empty bowl of ramen in her lap. Her eyes were fixed on the TV, but her mind seemed miles away, tangled in thoughts that seemed to weigh her down more than any physical burden. She looked better today—less pale, more alert—but the shadow of pain still clung to her, a constant reminder of how close she had come to not making it. I should have felt relieved, maybe even grateful. Instead, it twisted the knot in my chest tighter.
“We need to talk,” I said, striving for calmness.
Blake’s gaze shifted to me, wary and guarded. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Word’s gotten out. People know about the heist, Blake.”
She straightened up, her eyes narrowing with concern. “What do you mean?”
“An anonymous group tried to steal the jewel. Officially, it’s chalked up to some random attempt. But it’s not.” I rubbed my face, feeling the stress tighten around my temples. “The jewel is part of a private collection—owned by someone high up in the government.”
Her brow furrowed. “Who?”
“Councilman Elias Mercer.” I let the name linger in the air, heavy with implication. “He’s holding an exhibition next week. The jewel you were after is in his collection.”
“He’s not untouchable,” I said, though I knew how precarious that statement was. “But we need to be cautious.”
Her gaze sharpened with determination. “What’s your plan then? Just steal it again?”
“Not exactly.” I leaned forward, meeting her gaze with a mix of resolve and uncertainty. “We sneak into the exhibition to figure out why it’s so important to Mercer. There’s something bigger at play here.”
“Something bigger?” she repeated, skepticism creeping into her voice.
“I’m convinced he’s hiding something,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s his trophy now ”
“Damien,” she said, her voice low and probing, “why do you really want this? You’ve been so guarded about it.”
I hesitated, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. “Let’s just focus on the plan for now,” I deflected, forcing a smile that was more of a grimace. “It’s about survival.”
Blake’s eyes searched mine, her emerald gaze piercing and unrelenting. “You’re avoiding the question.”
I stood, crossing the room to grab my jacket. “We’ve got a week. Time to scout the place and figure out how to blend in. No mistakes.”
“Right,” she said, but the doubt in her voice was palpable.
“Get some rest. You’re going to need it,” I said, heading for the door.
“Damien,” she called after me, her voice steady but urgent. “What’s in it for you?”
I paused, hand on the doorknob. The question hung in the air, sharp and accusatory. I forced another smile, light but lacking warmth. “Trust me. This isn’t just about me. It’s about both of us walking away from this alive.”
With that, I stepped out, the door clicking shut behind me. The city had come to life, the air charged with a sense of anticipation. I could feel the weight of what was to come, like the oppressive stillness before a storm. No matter how meticulously we planned, the stakes were higher than either of us could fathom. If we played our cards right, maybe, just maybe, we’d come out of this with more than just our lives.
***
A few days later, the tension between Blake and me was almost palpable. She was sitting across from me at the small table, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of frustration and curiosity. I paced back and forth, rehearsing the plan in my head.
“I need you to listen carefully,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Blake’s eyes narrowed. “I’m listening. But I’ve had enough of your cryptic nonsense.”
I stopped pacing and faced her. “Good. Because this is going to sound crazy. You’re going to be my date to the exhibition.”
She blinked, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”
“Mercer’s event is a high-profile affair. We need to blend in, and there’s no better way to do that than by making a grand entrance as a couple.” I saw the incredulous look on her face and added, “Think of it as a cover. We need to get close to Mercer, and this is our best chance.”
Blake scoffed. “Why me? Why not someone else? And why a date? You know how ridiculous that sounds.”
“Because you know how to play the part,” I said, trying to ignore the way her skepticism cut deeper than I’d like. “And because it’s the perfect cover. No one would expect a heist to be pulled off by a couple trying to enjoy a high-society event.”
She glared at me, her eyes flashing with defiance. “So, you want me to just play along? And what happens when the façade falls apart? I’ve got enough problems without having to pretend to be your perfect date.”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my own frustration in check. “Look, Blake, this isn’t just about playing a part. It’s about staying alive. If we don’t pull this off, we’re both screwed. I need you on this.”
She studied me, her gaze softening slightly as she weighed my words. There was a moment of silence before she finally spoke, her voice quieter but resolute. “Fine. I’ll do it. But don’t think this means I’m just going to fall in line. I’m here to do a job, not to play happy couple.”
I nodded, feeling a pang of relief mixed with something else—something I wasn’t ready to confront. “Understood. We’re just partners in this, nothing more.”
Blake stood up, her posture tense but determined. “Alright then, Damien. Let’s get this over with.”
As she turned to prepare for the role she’d been thrust into, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this fake partnership was more complicated than either of us were ready to admit. If we survived this, maybe we’d find out what lay beneath the surface of our forced camaraderie. But for now, we had a mission—and a façade to maintain.
