"Got it."
"I shall call in twenty-four hours. It's a pleasure doing business with you." He hangs up.
The breath I was holding raggedly escapes, and I have to take a few more to calm myself. With him watching I can't appear happy. I go with shit scared instead. Not difficult. I clutch my churning stomach and stare into space. Tomorrow I have to meet face-to-face with a psychopath who loathes the very air I breathe. Alone. Defenseless. Me and my brilliant fucking ideas.
V is texting when I stumble back in. She finishes and glances up at me. "Everything okay?"
"Sort of. That was just, um, a source of mine. I can't get into much right now, but…I need you to hold off on the story for a day or two."
"What? Hell no!"
"Listen, it's for my safety, okay? Besides, I came to you with this. It's an exclusive, only you have it and will have it, I swear on Pop's grave. I just have to do one thing, and I'll give you the whole shebang. The full story. From start to finish. You just have to wait a few days. Please? You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."
She mulls this over, but I can tell from her eyes she's not happy about this. I don't know what Jem finds so cute about my narrowed eyes. On V they're fucking terrifying. "Everything?"
"Even the proof. I promise. Exclusive, all yours."
"Two days. That's it," V says.
"Thank you."
She begrudgingly nods. After wrapping up three scones, she collects her tape recorder, placing them all in her purse and standing. "Just answer one last question. Was I right? Is Lord Nightingale Jem Ambrose?"
I pause, then, "No. He's not."
"Oh," she says with a frown. "Then why do you have it out for him? Off the record."
"To save his life. I have a target on my back. Didn't want him in the crossfire like Brendan. That's why I've been staying away from everyone. You, Harry, Lexie. For your own good."
"And here I thought you were just a bitch," she says with a smirk.
"Well, there's that too." I smile back. "Two days, and I'll hand you the Pulitzer."
"Okay. Just…whatever you're doing, be careful. Really."
I hug my cousin. We're not really touchy-feely people, so she stiffens. "I promise."
I release her, and she looks almost disgusted. "Jesus, now I am worried."
"Don't be. I know what I'm doing."
My friend nods and after a second, concerned glance walks out.
With a deep sigh, I lower my exhausted body onto the couch. It worked. I can't believe it. I called his bluff. He took the bait. Too bad I'm bait. But it's done now. Onto Phase Two. He's mine now, Jordan. You can't have him anymore. I just hope I'm alive to reap my reward come tomorrow evening.
*
Getting ten million in diamonds proves harder than I imagined. I know from Justin's will I have five million in a safety deposit box, but for the rest I have to send various Pendergast minions to known diamond dealers, both licensed and not, to acquire the rest. Even I'm up all night hitting up every black market vendor in the database with suitcases full of cash. I'm more than sure Jordan has people following me, so I keep everything above board. No calls, nothing suspicious. A text to my fellow co-conspirators with the details while in Dobbs' room on the secret cell and nothing more. They know what to do.
By ten the next morning, when I stroll into First National Bank to access my box, I have five million in diamonds in my office safe and my three favorite men waiting in a high security, private room at the bank. Technically I just saw him yesterday, but when I set eyes on Jem it seems like a million years have passed. He looks ridiculous in disguise with a fake beard and black knit cap on. Doesn't stop the lust. Don't think anything could. Harry and Cam are dressed in their usual suits and serious expressions. My own supersquad.
"Gentlemen," I say with a grin. I shut and lock the door. "We don't have much time." I set the safety deposit box on the table and retrieve the bag of diamonds. "Jem, you bring the computer?"
"He already showed us how to use it," Harry says, putting the laptop on the table. "We'll be able to track you using CCTV. We also uploaded the GFPD duty roster for today. We'll know where the closest unit is to your position at all times. If you stay in the city limits, someone should be able to get to you within two minutes."
"We should check the tracker," Jem says, moving to the laptop.
"If she already has one, why'd we bring this?" Cam asks, holding up a plastic kit.
"Despite what Cain said, he'll expect me to be low-jacked. I'd have to be insane not to at least try. There'll be one in my watch, one in my shoe, and the one you brought."