Griffin
It’s never a good thing to get a call from Leviathan, even if I asked for it.
I’ve called him many times, requesting information on potential clients of mine. But I’ve rarely received one from him.
Typically, if there’s nothing crucial to share, he’ll send a quick text saying, ‘all clear’, or ‘smooth sailing’.
Calling, in general, isn’t something that he does.
On the rare occasion that I get a call from him, he’s either awkwardly asking me for advice about a woman—or at least one he hopes to talk to, or I’m royally fucked.
He might be the best hacker in the world, and quite possibly the smartest man I’ve ever known—but he can’t hold a conversation with a woman to save his life.
If it wasn’t for me or Janus, he’d never get a date.
It’s only fair, given all the times that he’s come through for me.
Despite being the helpless nerd that he is—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to save his arse from danger.
He’s one of the best men I’ve had pleasure of knowing. Like the others in my inner circle, he’s one I consider a friend and confidant.
Come to think of it, maybe I’ve rescued the damsel in distress before...just not your typical damsel.
He’s more like the damsel who conforms to the hacker stereotype: awkward, anxious, conspiratorial, and nerdy. His red hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and lean frame solidifies the role more so.
But thanks to his skills, he saved my arse many times too.
That’s why I asked him about Kalista’s situation. I need to know if there’s chatter or rumors regarding her before we move forward.
Any Intel he can provide will put me at ease—whether good or bad.
I’m confident we have nothing to worry about—so far. We’ve been smart, and I’ve made sure to cover our tracks.
Disguising Kalista to avoid any unwarranted speculation has also come in handy too.
My concern isn’t that they have found us. No, it’s with what her parents are doing and how that’s impacting her value within the criminal networks.
I’m familiar with how people of their circumstance deal with these problems.
They raise the stakes. And the hungry salivate in response, as they only see dollar signs in their eyes.
Like any other would be high-stake kidnapping, she becomes more and more valuable as time passes, a fact I remind myself every day.
Though admittedly, for me, it might be for other reasons.
But this makes having her even more dangerous—in many ways.
I instinctively wince when I see his name pop up on my phone.
“Gryphon,” he says sharply in his cockney accent.
“Leviathan.”
“That girl of yours is quite the catch,” he chuckles.
He’s never been good at giving bad news. He always seems to think that laughing to lighten the mood will somehow make it better.
“That I’m aware of. Anything I don’t know?”
“It’s getting heated. And there has been a lot of chatter.”
“Meaning?”
His brevity is driving me fucking crazy. I’ll never understand how he can beat around the bush for as long as he can.
“Long story short, she’s a hot commodity. And people are ruthless.”
“How about I get the long story, Leviathan? I need to know all the details. I need to devise a plan. And to do so I need to know what I’m up against, especially before we move forward with the job in Marrakesh.”
“Well, on the surface, the word is that she’s laying low on vacation with some friends. But everyone in our line of work knows it’s bullshit. Her botched kidnapping, and any information regarding it, is worth more than that precious Canary of hers. The reward has increased tenfold.”
“Fuck.”
This is what I’m afraid of.
“The reward for her return had already been doubled, thanks to that sweet mum of hers. And the usual suspects have caught on. Mum’s indecisiveness and obvious vulnerability makes it all more appetizing for them; especially those mainly skilled in the art of battering and kidnapping.”
I listen intently, taking in his information and what it means for her—for us.
In pure exhaustion, I shake my head and lean my forehead against the window in front of me.
This is the worst case scenario.
The experienced ones and the ones known for their kidnapping―are the most dangerous. Like he said, they’re ruthless and will do almost anything to get their paycheck.
They’ve never been above cruel and unusual punishment.
And now that her price tag has doubled in value, she’s all more attractive to the scum of Europe.
I’m certain they’re now prowling—foaming in the mouth even—in the hopes of getting a piece of the pie.
“Yeah, I’d be on alert. News has spread throughout Europe. It’s not safe for her anywhere.”
“How’d you get wind of this?”
I usually don’t ask for his sources. And Leviathan has never been one to reveal his secrets or leads—as if he’s some kind of fucking magician.
But this is different.
I’m standing here with that same distressing feeling I had back at the hotel. It rubs me the wrong way and leaves me skeptical about the whole situation.
Especially considering how quickly her ransom increased more than I’ve ever seen before in a kidnapping.
“I have my ways, Gryphon. Let’s just say there isn’t a soul who doesn’t know of her and who isn’t interested in cashing in.”
“Bloody hell.”
Staring out the window, my eyes look over the bustle of the city below.
I try to remain calm. I clench my fist, and the shot of pain helps to center myself.
This is fucking ridiculous.
I hear her shuffle around in the room next door—making me frustratingly aware of how precious she is, and how my role in keeping her safe has become almost impossible.
Almost.
“I can keep you updated on their movements. There’s another thing that might be of interest to you, though...”
He pauses for dramatic effect.
I hate it when he does that.
“Leviathan, what is it?” My voice is stern.
I have no time for games or dramatic pauses.
“I can’t quite figure out who did this, but someone just offered a lot of money for her kidnapping.”
“What, just now?”
His comment confuses me and provokes a rise in anger.
“It might seem like a usual kidnapping, ransom type of ordeal, but I’m running across some heavily-coded correspondence between a few parties. I can’t say who yet. I’m still working on that, but with this offer, it looks like there might be something bigger on your hands.”
Clenching my fist even tighter, my knuckles become white. Anger rushes through me and my muscles tense.
Why not add to this already fucked up situation?
“Great, Leviathan. Keep me informed on what you uncover when you do,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Will do.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime, Gryphon.”
I look down at my phone and exhale. I’m trying not to crush my phone in my hands.
Hell, this woman has been more of a job than I could’ve ever imagined.
But everything about this situation, and what Leviathan told me, affirms my decision and commitment to go to Marrakesh and take on the job.
Once our current heist is done, I need to get her out of Europe and away from the hounds.
This damning woman really knows how to fuck with me.
Even if her value might be worth more than most of the jewels in the world, I find her unnervingly priceless.
With her frustratingly brilliant mouth, determination, and tight arse—I’d rescue her.
Time and time again.