24
Zeke sensedLiv was holding something back, but now wasn’t the time to ask probing questions. She’d presented them with an unexpected gift, and they needed to act fast or this recovery was DOA.
“From what you’ve both said, Kayla won’t be an easy mark.”
“No,” Phin said, his face one of anticipation. “She’ll make me work for the information.”
“Is Kayla aware of the family’s recovery business?” Liv asked.
“Doubtful,” Phin said. “Last she knew, we were in towing and repoing.”
“I’ve known Kayla a long time. She’s always had a soft spot for the underdog.” Liv smiled. “Think of her as Robin Hood in stilettos.”
“What are you getting at?” Zeke asked.
Her lips thinned the slightest bit before she turned to Phin. “I don’t mean to tell you how to do your charming, but it might be easier to get what you want from Kayla by giving her as much of the truth as you can.”
“Are you authorizing Phin to tell your friend about the drugs?” Zeke asked.
“No.” The word came out firm and sharp. “But it sounds like Phin has the skill and relationship to give her the essence of the situation. If she understands the stakes, her heart will overrule society etiquette.”
“Why not approach her yourself?” Cruz asked.
“Because despite Zeke’s insistence, I can’t be part of this operation. I’m strictly behind the scenes. The Bureau cannot be linked to this heist.”
“Recovery,” Zeke said.
She raised a brow, then turned back to Phin. “Kayla and Nicola St. Martin might dwell in the same circles, but their view of what they do with their wealth is as different as oil and water.” An indulgent smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. “My friend enjoys sprinkling pepper on the uplifted noses of her societal friends.”
Phin turned to Zeke. “Do I have a green light?”
Zeke didn’t like bringing outsiders into their recoveries. It opened up too many variables that were impossible to plan for. One mistake on this would have much greater repercussions than simply failing to retrieve someone’s property. It would be on their heads if a shitload of drugs hit the streets. Streets populated with kids like Sadie. And Brodie.
Rohan must have sensed his train of thought, because he said, “If Phin does things his normal way and Miss Krowne proves to be the one target in the world he can’t charm, we don’t have another viable option. Not in our limited time.”
Zeke tapped his thumb against his thigh as his gaze jumped from one expectant face to the next.
“No amount of planning is going to get us the object.” Grams’s fingers curled around his, halting his telltale sign of his need to control a situation. Her voice lowered so only he could hear. “Intuition and trust will see us through.”
Swallowing back his instinctive response, he said to Phin, “Don’t fu—screw this up.”
Phin rubbed his hands together. “Who else is hungry?”