Perception

Chapter II: The Initiation

The dive bar they chose was worlds away from the upscale restaurant where they'd met Kaylie. Dimly lit, smoky, and packed with a mix of regulars and off duty blue collar workers, it was the kind of place where nobody asked questions. Perfect for the conversation Anthony and Danny were about to have.

Kaylie sat across from them in a booth, nervously tapping her fingers on the chipped wooden table. She was still trying to figure them out, scanning their expressions, waiting for a sign of deception. Anthony was calm as ever, leaning back with his drink in his hand, while Danny couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of her for more than a few seconds at a time.

"So" Kaylie finally said, breaking the silence. "What's your angle?"

Danny grinned, sensing her suspicion. "No angle, Kaylie. Just an opportunity."

Anthony nodded, swirling his whiskey in his glass. "You're good, but you're not thinking big enough. You've got the instincts, but you're playing small time games. That's gonna get you nowhere fast."

She raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly "And you're offering me a shot at the big leagues?"

Danny chuckled, taking a sip of his beer. "If you're ready for it."

Kaylie's eyes flickered between the two of them, trying to gauge if this was all just another con. "So, why me? You could find someone better."

Anthony shook his head. "No, you're perfect. You've got raw talent. But most importantly, you're smart enough to know when you're in over your head. That's rare."

Kaylie frowned, her guard still up. "What do you get out of this?"

Anthony exchanged a look with his long time partner and friend before answering. "We need a third."

"A third?" She repeated, her brow furrows in confusion.

"A partner," Danny clarified. "Someone who can slip in where we can't. New faces are useful, and you've got the skills to fit in without raising red flags."

Kaylie sat back, processing the offer. "And if I say no?"

Anthony's expression remained neutral. "Then we walk away, no hard feelings. But you're not going to say no."

She crossed her arms, her voice edging with challenge. "You seem pretty sure of yourself."

"I am," Anthony says smoothly "Because I know you're tired of running small cons. You want more. You're not in this for pocket change, Kaylie. You're in this for a way out and this is your shot."

"Well damn, can I join too?" Danny jokes, causing Kaylie to smile and ease up a bit.

"Shut up D." Anthony says back and Danny chuckles.

Danny leaned in slightly, his voice softer but more intense. "We can teach you things you'd never learn on your own, but you've got to trust us."

Kaylie hesitates, glancing down at her hands. It was clear that she's battling with herself. Anthony watched her carefully, waiting for her to make the decision on her own terms. He knew the moment she did, her eyes lifting to meet his, the uncertainty replaced by a determined glint.

"Alright." She said quietly "I'm in."

A slow smile spread across Danny's face, and Anthony nodded approvingly. "Good, we've got a job coming up in a few days. Small, but high reward. Perfect for breaking you in."

Kaylie straightens up, her expression more focused now. "What's the gig?"

Anthony leaned forward, his voice lowering as he outlined the plan. "There's a private poker game happening at a penthouse downtown. High stakes, high profile guests and even higher security. But here's the thing, there's always a weak link."

Kaylie listened intently as Danny picks up where his partner left off.

"The host is a man named Raymond Hastings. Big time real estate mogul, old money. The kind who likes to flaunt his power. Every week, he runs a private game, but it's not poker we're interested in. Hastings has an ego, and he keeps a safe full of cash, bonds, and other valuable items in his office right next to the game room." He explained

"So let me guess," Kaylie says "You're planning to hit the safe while the game's happening."

Anthony smiled, impressed. "Exactly. But we need someone who can slip in unnoticed, play the role of a cocktail waitress, and plant a distraction."

"That's where you come in," Danny adds "you'll play it cool, get in, plant a bug in the security system, and keep everyone's attention off us."

Kaylie wonders "And what's the distraction?"

Anthony and Danny exchanged a glance and Danny smirks. "We've got that covered. There's going to be a little... Accident during the game. Enough to cause chaos, but not enough to raise alarms right away."

Kaylie leaned back, her mind racing as she processed the details. "And what's my cut?"

Anthony didn't miss a beat. "20%, first job."

She considered it for a moment before nodding. "Alright, when do we start?"

"Tomorrow," Danny said "We'll go over the details and do a walkthrough."

Kaylie nodded, seemingly satisfied with the arrangement. But there was still a tension between them, something unspoken but palpable. As they sat there in the bar, sipping their drinks and going over the logistics of the heist, Danny found himself sharing glances at her.

Kaylie wasn't like the others they'd worked with before. There was something more dangerous about her, something unpredictable. And it wasn't just the way she moved or the way she talked. It was the way she got under Danny's skin, making him think about things he hadn't allowed himself to think about in years.

Later that night, as they parted ways and Anthony went ahead, Danny found himself lingering behind Kaylie. The moonlight cast a soft glow over the street as they stood near her apartment, the city's noise humming in the background.

"You sure about this?" Danny asked, his voice low, almost hesitant. "It's a big step."

Kaylie met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "I've got nothing to lose. I'm sure."

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of their newfound partnership heavy between them. Danny took a breath, about to say something else, but Kaylie beat him to it.

"You seem different than Anthony." She said, her voice soft but pointed. "More... Cautious."

Danny smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Cautious is how you stay alive in this business." He responds.

Kaylie smiled faintly, though there was a glint of something more in her eyes. "Good thing I've got you watching my back, then."

With that, she turned and walked up the steps to her building, leaving Danny standing there, watching her go. He couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get more complicated than either of them had bargained for.