Read Online Hardcore: Volume 2 by Staci Hart - Free Book Online

sight of us, and he shifted on his feet next to the two hulking men. They were too young to be considered old, with dark features and wild eyes, looking enough alike that they could have been brothers. Their weapons weren’t concealed, and the bigger of the two had his gun in his hand, hanging idly at his side as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
    We stopped a dozen feet away from them, and I hung back, taking in every detail. Something wasn’t right. Tension crackled in the air, as if every molecule transmitted their intentions.  
    “Well, well, well.” The guy with the gun smiled, seeming casual, but it was absolute bullshit. I chased the fleeting thought that I might not make it through the night. Jill’s face flashed in my mind.
    “See, Trevor? I told you they’d get it.” Jace was so jittery, he was almost bouncing.
    “You sure did. Let’s see it.” Trevor jerked a chin at Jade, and the quiet one, Sammy I assumed, folded his meaty arms across his chest.
    Jade said nothing, just took off the huge case and unzipped it, slipping it down to reveal enough of the painting for them to be sure. I could feel her fear, even though she stood tall, looking the thugs in the eye with her face drawn.
    Trevor picked up the duffle bag with his free hand and extended it in invitation as Sammy held out a hand for the painting. Jade took a reluctant step toward them and handed the case to Sammy, who stepped back with it. She reached for the bag, still hanging in Trevor’s hand, and as her fingers closed over the strap, time slowed down. Trevor’s other arm shot up, the movement punctuated by the click of his safety, and Jade looked up the barrel of his gun, frozen with her hand still on the bag.
    “Excellent work, kids,” he said, smiling. “Thanks for your diligence, but I have an … amendment to our arrangement.”
    Jace stepped toward Jade fuming, and I mentally screamed at him not to move. I was frozen in place, not willing to risk making a sound.
    “What the fuck, Trevor?” he yelled, his cheeks fiery. “I thought we had a deal.”
    Trevor didn’t break his laser eyes on Jade. “Sammy, shut the kid up.”  
    Sammy took a single step with his fist cocked, popping Jace in the nose hard enough to send him sprawling.
    Jade whipped her head around, eyes on Jace, body taught. Trevor’s gun didn’t waver.
    “You pushed hard enough, Jace . You wanted more money. You wanted to meet in our space. Well, you got your wish. Happy?”
    Jace groaned.
    He addressed Jade again. “Listen, sweetheart. Don’t do anything stupid. There’s five hundred grand in this bag. Take it and get the fuck out of here. Seems like a good enough deal, doesn’t it? You get some money for your trouble, and you get to keep breathing. Or you can try to fight and end up in the Hudson.” He shrugged. “Your choice.”
    Even from feet behind her, I could see Jade shaking, and my eyes bounced around, assessing everything, looking for a way out. We were boxed in, and I wasn’t stupid enough to pull my gun. We just had to do what they said and hope they let us go. There was only one thing to do.
    “Take the bag, Jade.” My voice was far away.
    She waited only a moment before nodding. Trevor’s smile stretched across his face as he let go of the bag and took a step back. “Good girl. Your friend’s pretty smart.”
    Jace rolled around on the ground moaning, and Jade slung on the duffle bag as she ran to him. He caged his nose with his hand as she helped him up, leaning on her while he dripped blood all over the ground.
    Trevor never lowered his gun. His smile slipped, eyes hardened as his body squared up, wiping away the illusion of levity. “Go on.”
    Jade helped Jace walk away, and when they passed me, I walked backwards for a few steps with my eyes on Trevor as he lowered his gun. He knew he had us. And I knew they would let us go.  
    I turned and followed Jade in silence, my fury ratcheting tighter with every step I took.