Free Diamonds (Den of Thieves Book 1) by A.M. Cosgrove Page A

was going to say to the rest of the team when he got back to the office but he had to think and quickly. It was closing in on ten o’clock and he was supposed to be there by ten thirty to discuss his findings.
    He raced back across the city to the office, stopping to grab a coffee but he knew he didn’t have time to head home and grab a shower before he went in.
    Pulling into the parking lot, ten minutes late, he tried to straighten his hair in the mirror before getting out and headed inside.
    Opening the door he found himself face to face with the entire team. Even Paul was there. Paul had been on assignment for the FBI for the last few weeks and wasn’t due back until later in the week.
    “Glad you could join us Sebastian.” Jake said raising an eyebrow.
    “Someone hasn’t been home since yesterday,” Cat noticed nodding at his attire.
    “What’s the matter Cat? You jealous?” Sebastian smiled
    “Well we know you got laid last night, what else happened?” Bo asked.
    Sebastian spent the next twenty minutes going over the general aspects of his date the night before.
    “Alright that’s great that you have managed to get close to her. What did you find out about the necklace?”
    “That’s the thing - I never had the chance to look around her room or the house at all.”
    “Really now? And why is that? You are usually the pro at this sort of thing.” Paul asked giving him a hard stare.
    “He father walked in before I had the chance.” The words were out of his mouth before he had thought better of them.
    “Dude! Her father walked in on you guys?” Bo howled with laughter.
    Even Cat looked amused. Jake and Paul however didn’t. Rudy had turned back to his computer screens knowing that there was an explosion on the horizon.
    “He didn’t walk in on us when we were doing it--”
    “But he walked in after you had done the dirty with his daughter? Dude that’s classic!” Bo continued to laugh big deep bellows.
    “I’m glad you find this funny,” Sebastian said getting irritated at how badly this conversation was going downhill.
    “Actually I don’t find it funny at all,” Jake said crossing his arms across his chest.
    “Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t have an opportunity that I could use to--”
    “I get that shit didn’t work out but really we needed you to find that necklace.”
    “I tried to!”
    “I think it is time that we sent someone else in to get the job done properly Sebastian. You are obviously too close to it and aren’t objective enough to get it done.” Jake turned away and started walking back to his desk.
    “No I’m not.”
    “Seb, you have to understand that this was your chance. And it didn’t work out. You’re going to have to walk away from this.”
    Sebastian felt panic rising up in his throat. He did not want to be pulled off the assignment. It would mean he would not be able to see Daria again and he wasn’t ready to walk away from her now.
    “No,” he croaked his mouth suddenly dry.
    “We are already going to have to explain how you managed to sleep with the woman but found out absolutely nothing about her.”
    “It wasn’t a waste of time – I did learn things about her.”
    “We aren’t talking about her bra size,” Bo chuckled under his breath and Sebastian’s temper rumbled just under his skin.
    “Great so is that all you guys think I am? Just a pretty face?”
    “Well we do call you ‘Pretty Boy’ for a reason.” Bo patted his back.
    Sebastian was about to open his mouth when Paul spoke up.
    “That’s enough Bo, there’s no sense going on any further about it than you already have. I think we all get the point you are trying to make.”
    “Thank you. About time some one around here spoke with common sense.” Sebastian flopped down into his chair.
    “I didn’t say I agreed with you Sebastian.”
    Sebastian looked up at Paul. Did everyone think him nothing more than a playboy?
    “I have been going over the files when I’ve had some down