Chapter 1
Ivy smiled at Genesis as her friend opened the thick metal door and stepped back.
Genesis grinned, sweeping her hand behind her in an over-the-top way. In a tight black T-shirt that said fuck your glass ceiling, ripped, faded gray jeans and knee-high boots, she looked like she always did—badass. “Welcome to my castle.”
Laughing lightly, Ivy stepped inside and looked around the immediate interior. A basic foyer spread out before them, reminiscent of a boring-ass dentist’s office, complete with a fake potted plant in one corner, low-key instrumental music, a receptionist’s desk that was basically a prop, and two chairs in front of it. Genesis was a high-end importer—who also dabbled in smuggling.
And behind the next door was a treasure trove of rare goodies not many people got to see.
“Where are you flying in from this time?” Genesis asked as she bolted the door shut behind them and set the security code.
Ivy had seen a lot of security systems in her day, had cracked a lot too, and Genesis had one of the best. Which was no surprise, considering all the expensive things she housed here.
“London…by way of Paris.” She liked being back in Miami in the spring.
Genesis snorted. “Well, you look stunning as always.”
“See, this is why you are my favorite smuggler,” she said laughingly as Genesis unlocked the next steel door. Ivy certainly didn’t feel stunning, but her purple ankle boots with the mesh overlay always made her feel good, so she would take the compliment.
“Hey, I’m a connoisseur of fine arts and other goods.” She motioned for Ivy to walk with her after opening and shutting the next door behind them.
A whole different world was revealed up here. Rows upon rows of open shelves greeted them, showcasing sealed crates, antique furniture, vintage clothing, lamps and so much more.
Ivy’s heels clicked along the concrete floor as they made their way down one of the aisles. The majority of the stuff here was legal, as Genesis really did own an import and export business out of Miami, but she also dipped her hand into the black market on occasion. Ivy wondered if it was more for the thrill than anything, because Genesis had to be killing it legally.
Normally Genesis worked with a partner, at least with new clients. Especially new male clients, given the nature of her business. She could hold her own for the most part, but she often had backup. Not today, however, since she and Ivy had worked together many times in the past and Ivy considered her a friend.
“Please tell me you have something to drink,” Ivy said as they reached a set of metal stairs.
“Oh yeah, I’ve got the good stuff. Just got a new bottle of very expensive pinot noir I’ve been saving for later. It’s kind of early to be drinking though.”
“Not for me. I need something to take the edge off.” She’d just finished up two jobs, then a new one had landed on her figurative desktop.
It was the job of a lifetime and she couldn’t say no. She could make enough off the commission to finally quit, pay off the mortgage to the animal shelter she’d recently inherited, and settle back in Miami. She hadn’t told her family or anyone about her plans but it was her ultimate goal. She was tired of traveling, tired of always being on the go, tired of having no roots. It’d been exciting at one time, wild and fun, meeting tons of new people and getting to see the world. But she knew herself well enough to realize that she was very close to burnout. It wasn’t wild or fun anymore—just exhausting.
And if she didn’t pay off the shelter…she didn’t even want to think about what would happen. It would end up as a short sale or foreclosure and some soulless corporation would buy the building, demolish it, and all the animals would be displaced. Ugh. No, she wouldn’t let that happen.
“So what do you have for me?” Genesis asked as she opened the door into a plush little office with windows that overlooked a beautiful green park across the street. People were stretched out on picnic blankets while their dogs or kids played. She could almost imagine she heard the barks and squeals, but the insulation here was stellar. And the windows had a special film over them so no one could see inside.
“Did you hear about the museum job in Paris?”
One of Genesis’s perfect blonde eyebrows rose. “Of course I did. A painting worth a cool fifteen mil taken, and I’m sure other things that were left out.”
She didn’t comment on the “other things,” though it was true. “That’s the one.”
“I heard they roughed up the museum curator too.” Genesis shook her head, her long blonde ponytail moving softly. “No style or taste with that crew.”
Ivy took a seat on the tufted green club chair, crossed her legs. Her feet were aching and that was what she got for wearing heels, but she loved them, so it was a fair trade-off. “They did more than rough him up. He’s dead. So’s his wife.” It had all been pointless violence. Violence for the sake of it.
Now her friend’s eyes widened as she popped the cork. “None of that was in the news, and I’ve been watching the story. It said they have persons of interest, but no solid leads?”
Yeah, law enforcement was holding some stuff back for now, though Ivy was impressed Genesis was keeping tabs on the international story, since it hadn’t made the news here other than a few blips on social media that she’d seen.
“Did the thieves contact you?” Ivy asked bluntly. Might as well get to the point because they both knew she was here for a reason. Ivy wouldn’t have come here otherwise.
Genesis paused then nodded as she started pouring them both glasses. “It was a very brief contact, not in person, but through an online channel. I don’t know the crew but I’ve heard whispers of their reputation. I don’t want to get tangled up with people like that. They’ll turn on you in a second. Glad my instincts were right, though I’m sorry about the couple.”
Even though Ivy was disappointed that Genesis didn’t have more details, she was also very glad to hear that her friend was not going to be doing business with them. Genesis was very, very careful with who she worked with, and had standards. “Very smart choice. Interpol is calling this crew persons of interest—they don’t have actual proof they killed the couple or stole the painting, but they seem to have a pretty good idea who the thieves are.” And that was why Ivy was in Miami—to track down that painting and return it.
“Why do I have a feeling you’ll find them before Interpol does?”
Ivy simply grinned and took the glass offered to her. “It wouldn’t be the first time.” As an art retrieval expert for an international insurance company, she didn’t have to work within the lines like federal agents did. Not that they always did anyway, but she had no red tape and much better tech.
Her job was simple: retrieve the stolen art so the insurance company wouldn’t have to pay out the settlement. Her fee, while steep, at least by most accounts, was nothing compared to what they would have to pay out in full to the museum for the loss. So the insurance company gave her any gadget she asked for, making her job much easier to track down thieves. Not to mention she’d created an arsenal of contacts over the years that helped her.
Normally she chased after white-collar types, but this crew was different. Violent. So she was being extra careful. Unfortunately, she’d chased them to her hometown of Miami. Or maybe it was fortunately, because she was very familiar with the city and had a whole lot of contacts here. But her family was here as well, and she was not planning on telling them she was in town. Since Genesis didn’t have any information on the thieves, she switched subjects, not wanting to talk about her plan to find these guys.