She needed a place where she could shut the door and let down her guard at night. This wasn’t it.
Her phone buzzed with an alert. The money was transferred. I like this work. Will have to grab Peyton for pizza and finally answer all his questions.
She looked back at her computer screen, scrolling through pictures of the same two-story brownstone she had found on Redfin before, checking to see if it was still available. It was on a quiet street abutting a commercial district that emptied out after business hours. It could be perfect.
Her phone rang on her end table and she snatched it up, answering on the first ring.
“Hello, Greg.”
“I’ve transferred the money to your account, both the full fee and the bonus. We’re both a lot richer today.”
“Glad to hear it.” Shay understood the need to doublecheck that she knew the project was completed to her satisfaction. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
“Before you go, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Shay looked away from the pictures of the renovated kitchen and focused. She could smell a new opportunity a mile away.
“I’m listening.”
Greg hesitated for moment before speaking. “From what I can tell, you’re new at this business.”
Shay felt a thin thread of anger pass through her chest. Is this fucker about to complain?
“I delivered your gold, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did, which means you not only have skills that a lot of other people only claim to have but you’re a natural. Even gifted. I think we should meet to discuss some other opportunities.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to make a name for yourself, whether I’m involved or not. That’s obvious. The projects you get will only get bigger from here. The whales will come looking for you at some point. I can help you get there faster in exchange for the occasional smaller job. I might not be as wealthy, but I’ve established a lot of connections in the search for my family’s gold. Look, I’m more of a barracuda in this story. I’m the guy you come to for a six-figure payout. Nice for some, but you already scoffed at my initial twenty-five thousand dollar offer.”
Shay let out a laugh. “Don’t be offended. I took the job once we worked out the back end.”
“No, I’m not offended. Part of doing well in life is having no illusions and playing in your lane. If you want the real payouts and the big jobs sooner rather than later, you’ll need an introduction to the higher-end connections. People like Father O’Banion.”
“Father O’Banion… A priest? Church types don’t normally like me. I’m pretty sure I would burst into flames if I stepped into a church.”
Greg laughed hard. “The only church he belongs to is a church of his own making in the nearest bar. The title of father is just a nickname someone gave him a long time ago. He becomes Father O’Banion with a few drinks in him, and he becomes preachy. He can be a bit much to take sometimes. Actually, he’s Doctor F.J. Smite-Williams. He has a day job as a professor of historical extra-dimensional engineering, and a rather sizeable side-business hiring people like you.” The man cleared his throat. “He’s the real deal and almost exclusively deals in high-end magical items. He’s always on the lookout for skilled tomb raiders who can deal with special circumstances.”
Magical artifacts. That does carry a hefty payout. “You’ve piqued my interest. I’d be willing to meet this guy.”
“I figure we can all meet and talk about it. I think I can get you a meeting if I pull a few strings.”
Shay tucked a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Send me the details of where and when. Keep in mind, I don’t take orders from anyone. I decide what projects I’ll take and work out the details myself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind as I pass things along.”
“Good. Get me in touch with this Smite-Williams, and I’m sure I can find some sort of finder’s fee to give to you after my first job assuming he’s legit and you’re not blowing smoke up my ass. I don’t tend to take that very well, just so you know.” Her tone took on an icy edge. She didn’t know Greg Abbot well enough yet to be sure there wasn’t some angle he was playing.
“I don’t know if I should be concerned or amused by your bluntness.”
Shay looked back at the pictures of the brownstone, already picturing herself living there. A smile came across her face. “Depends on your agenda.”
Greg laughed. “Okay, then amused.”
“That works. Set up the meeting and let me know.” Shay hung up and took a deep breath as she called the number on the listing.
“Hello, I’m calling about the brownstone on Mercer Street. Is it still available?”
Can a former paid killer have her own piece of happily ever after?
Shay shook her head and patted her cheeks. The past didn’t mean shit. Stay in the present moment. Only thing I can control. “Yes, that’s the one. I’ll take it at list price, all cash if you can close in a week.” She was moving up in the world. If this Smite-Williams was half of what Greg claimed, then she was about to make her reputation in cement as the most badass tomb raider on the planet. At least her alias was…
Bet the guy asks me to find the fucking Nazi pin first. Shay snorted at the idea. At least I know where it is.
Shay unleashed a series of vicious jabs into the face of her opponent, a man who had a good forty pounds on her. She took a detour to Steel
