Five hundred million dollars.

Five hundred million fucking dollars.

When Ash told me they were going after an expensive gem, I anticipated it would be less valuable. I definitely need to join this heist. Even if I got a fraction of the profit, I would never need to work at The Cave again. I could get Chris all the possible help that he needs, and I could potentially even go back to school.

I opened the apartment door to see Chris sitting on the couch. His feet were up on the coffee table, and he had a movie on the television. I dropped my bag on the kitchen island and sat beside him. He put his arm around my shoulders, pulled me in close, and rubbed his fist against the top of my head. I giggled and pushed him away. He had been doing that ever since I could remember.

"How was work?" he asked.

I always told Chris I was a waitress, but I expected that he knew the truth. He may not think I am a prostitute, but I am sure he thought I was at least a stripper. I have never explained the large sums of cash I bring home every night. It helped him get his fix, so he was afraid to confront me about it.

"It was interesting," I said. "I'm glad to have a couple of nights off. What are you watching?"

I looked at the screen when there was a high-pitched scream. A man in a mask was stabbing a woman. Fake blood sprayed against the camera.

"I just started watching some bad B horror movie," Chris said. "A buddy recommended it."

"Remember when you showed me that ghost movie when I was six?" I asked.

Chris chuckled.

"I do," he said. "You wouldn't sleep with the lights off for like three months. I thought Mom was going to kill me."

"I think Dad was angrier about it," I said. "I ended up sleeping in between him and Mom most nights."

My heart ached to think about my parents. They always cross my mind, but Chris and I rarely reminisced. He occasionally mentions them but will often quickly turn the conversation onto another topic. I think the drugs became a way for him to cope. He was so young when he had to take guardianship of me.

"Have you thought any more about rehab?" I asked.

Chris groaned.

"Let's not talk about that right now," he said. "I have it under control. Let's just enjoy tonight."

Under control.

That's what he always told me. After countless near-fatal overdoses, I had serious doubts that he had it under control.

"You know what we need?" I asked.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Popcorn."

Chris smiled, and I jumped off the couch. I went into the kitchen and listened to the girl's screams as I made popcorn.

It was nice to have a normal end to this crazy night.

---

In the morning, I checked my phone when I got out of the shower. I saw that I had a text from Ash.

Ash: We need to talk

What was he going to want to talk about? I hoped that it was about Diablo's Heart and not about my job. Hell, he may even want to talk about the situation we are in romantically. I don't care. I reminded myself that he was going after a diamond worth five hundred million dollars, and I needed to join this plan.

Gracelynn: Where do you want to meet?

Three dots showed up in the corner of the screen as he was typing his response. He sent me directions to a park and told me to meet him there in an hour. It was a short walk from my apartment. I changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater. I brushed my hair and braided it into two pigtails. My mom had taught me braiding from a young age. Many girls at The Cave would have me braid their hair before they headed home for the night.

I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. I was early when I got to the park, but Ash was already there. He was wearing a hoodie, a toque, and jeans. I would have never guessed that he was a criminal, just like on our first date. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was standing by the fountain. He smiled when he saw me approaching.

"You look gorgeous," he said.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

His smile turned into a smirk.

"So eager," he said.

"This better be about that diamond," I said.

"You really want to come with us?"

I nodded. He bit down on his lip and broke eye contact. My heart pounded as I waited for his response.

"Fine," he said without looking at me. "I'll find a way for you to help."

"What's my cut?" I asked.

"A couple million," he said.

I held my hands out in front of me and shook my head. A couple million was not enough.

"Nope," I said. "I want seventy-five million at least."

He looked at me and furrowed his brows.

"No way," he said.

"Then I'll tell someone else about Diablo's Heart," I said. "I'm sure someone would pay me to tell them that it is in the Vatican. What was that guy's name? Lorenzo Ricci?"

Ash scowled, and I could not help but smile. I was going to make enough off this stupid diamond to stay away from The Cave forever. I would get paid somehow, and it would be more than a couple million dollars.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked.

"I may be," I said. "Are you going to let me join?"

Ash closed his eyes and let out a long deep breath.

"Fine," he said. "You can come with us. You'll get the cut you want."

I smiled wider and clasped my hands in front of my chest.

"Good," I said. "I'm glad that is settled."

Ash cleared his throat and looked over at the fountain before back at me. His scowl was gone and replaced with a smile.

"I want to take you on a date," he said. "A real date. One where we aren't pretending to be someone else."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I want to get to know you," he said. "Especially if you are going to come on this heist with us."

A date? An actual date where I got to act like myself? That has yet to happen ever since I was hired at The Cave.

"Okay," I said. "I'll go."

"Good," he said. "I'll pick you up at seven tonight."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere nice."

Somewhere nice? I don't know how I liked the sound of that.

"See you at seven," I said.

I put two fingers to my forehead and gave him a salute before walking away. I giggled at his confused expression. I texted him my address before I got home.

This would be my first real date with Ash.