The Thief and The Smuggler

6: The Interpol Warrant

The Interpol Warrant

The dimly lit, sleek interior of the DeMarco estate felt more like a high-tech fortress than a home. The walls were adorned with expensive art, and the air smelled faintly of rich mahogany, but in the heart of the mansion, a small room buzzed with a different energy—cold, calculating, and dangerous. Gabriel's trusted right-hand man, Toro Salvio, sat in front of a series of monitors, his sharp eyes scanning through streams of encrypted data. The man was a genius when it came to computers, code, and anything remotely related to the digital world. If Gabriel needed to know something about the underworld, Toro was his first call.

Alina leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching as Toro worked. His dark, unkempt hair and thick beard gave him a rugged look, but his piercing eyes told a different story—he was always in control, always thinking two steps ahead.

"You've been busy," Alina said dryly, watching the rapid typing of Toro's fingers on the keyboard.

Toro didn't look up, his attention fixed on the screen in front of him. "Always am," he replied in his gravelly voice, his fingers never pausing. "But right now, I'm more interested in this."

He hit a key, and a series of encrypted files flashed up on the monitor. It was a dark web forum—heavily guarded, used by only the most dangerous buyers and sellers in the world. Toro scrolled through, eyes narrowing as he accessed the latest posts. He clicked on one that had caught his attention earlier.

"You've heard of the Indian Ruby, right?" Toro asked, looking up briefly to gauge Alina's reaction.

Alina nodded. The ruby was a legend—known for its flawless cut, its incredible history, and its mystical lore. It had been lost to history for hundreds of years, and it was worth more than most could fathom. To find it, let alone sell it, would be worth a fortune.

"I know the story," she said. "It's one of the most coveted gems in the world. Why?"

Toro's fingers danced across the keys again, pulling up a detailed listing. "Someone's looking for it. Dark web transaction—anonymous buyer. The asking price... a small fortune. A bidding war's already started. We've got ourselves a market."

Gabriel, who had been silently watching from the chair behind them, spoke up. "Who's the buyer?"

Toro sighed, tapping a few more keys. "There's no solid ID yet—only vague references to an Indian cartel. They've got the connections, the means... but no name attached. It's not the first time a stone like this has disappeared from India, though. Some say it's cursed. Others claim it's a tool for control." He turned to Gabriel. "But you don't need me to tell you how dangerous this is. If we get involved, we'll have a whole lot more than just a ruby to worry about."

Gabriel's gaze hardened. "And what's the catch?"

Toro leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the armrest as he scanned more of the data. "The buyer's deadline is tight. If we don't move soon, someone else will. And if we get it wrong... we could end up with more than just the cartels chasing us."

"Noted," Gabriel muttered, his eyes already calculating the next steps. "Let's get it."

Alina felt the gravity of the situation settle in. A deal this big meant bigger risks—an operation that could pull them into the heart of a criminal syndicate. If there was one thing she knew about Gabriel, it was that when he wanted something, he didn't hesitate to make it happen. But this wasn't just a simple heist. The cartel involved would be far more dangerous than any treasure hunters Gabriel had dealt with before.

"You'll have to go to India," Toro said, returning to the screens. "That's where the gem's been located. But there's something else you should know. Interpol's been sniffing around."

Alina's eyebrows furrowed. "Interpol?"

"Yeah. I just checked their latest files. They've issued a warrant for an unknown thief linked to the recent robbery in Cuba," Toro continued, a slight grimace crossing his face. "Guess who they think pulled that job?"

Alina stiffened, her mind racing. "You're telling me they're onto me?"

Toro glanced over at Gabriel. "You've got an anonymous thief, who's been moving like a ghost in and out of high-profile jobs... they think it's the same person who pulled the Cuba job."

Alina felt the tension in her chest tighten. She'd known the risks of working with Gabriel. The stakes were always high, but this was different. Interpol was no joke. If they were hunting her, then their net was wider than she'd thought. The heat from the law enforcement was one thing—she could outrun that. But with Gabriel involved, it was only a matter of time before things got uglier.

"Have they connected me to the Cuban job yet?" Alina asked, trying to maintain a calm exterior despite the growing unease inside her.

Toro shook his head. "Not yet. But they're getting close. Word on the street is they're tracing the digital footprints of the transactions, and they're asking questions about the operation. Whoever this thief is, they've been incredibly careful. Still, they'll get there. And fast."

Gabriel didn't seem worried. If anything, he looked more interested in Toro's report than concerned.

"I'll take care of it," Gabriel said, his voice low and confident. "They're not going to find her—not before we make our next move."

Alina met his gaze, but there was no reassurance in it. Gabriel had a way of making his promises sound like guarantees, but she knew the reality of their world. There were too many variables, too many unknowns.

"India, then," she said, pushing away the growing unease. "But the ruby doesn't just sell itself. We need to prepare for whatever comes next."

Gabriel smiled, a slow, cold smile that sent a shiver down her spine. "Exactly. And that's why we need to move fast. Get ready. We're going to need Toro's expertise to make this happen. You'll be on the ground soon."

Toro's fingers tapped one last time, bringing up more details about the ruby's location. "I'll get the intel on the cartel, but you'll need to move fast. And be careful, Alina—there's no telling who's already watching this deal. Interpol is just the beginning. If you step on the wrong toes, the consequences could be... deadly."

Alina nodded, her mind already whirring with plans. She had always been good at staying a step ahead of the law, but this time, she wasn't just facing one enemy—she was about to step into a game of international criminals, and there would be no easy way out.

"Ready when you are," she said, the weight of the decision sinking in.

Gabriel stood up, his presence looming over the room. "Then let's get moving. We've got a ruby to find—and a lot of enemies to outsmart."

As the door clicked shut behind them, the shadows of their future moves felt heavier than ever. Alina had crossed the line once before, but this time, there would be no turning back.

.

A/N: Hey guys! Another quick update will be coming shortly!

Pleaaaaseee remember to vote- share- comment if you want me to continue the updates at a faster pace, caus if I feel people are actually reading and waiting for it, I usually end up fighting my procrastination much better!