It was time for Cory and Tower to head out to the Diamond Casino. Cas had given them specific questions to ask, and to whom. He could have gone himself, but it was too risky —his court trial had been aired and that would spark suspicions. Cory and Tower weren't always seen with him. They were the safest choice.
Cas and the two stood in front of Janet's house. A black McLaren 720S sat beside them—one of Cas' cars, suggested just in case they needed a quick escape.
When Cory and Tower finally drove off, Cas gritted his teeth. Janet's house felt too full right now. The bastard Cole was hovering around her like a personal watchdog. Lucky for him, he was tied to the state now—otherwise, Cas might have sent him home with a black eye and a broken rib.
The evening breeze washed over him, carrying the memory of the kiss at the gun training center. Janet's lips—soft, clean, and tasted sweet like she had just had candy. Her little whimpers and moans haunted him, even as he'd been savoring her mouth. He wanted to press further but not in that place. He noted a CCTV at the entrance and another monitoring the gun rack. But none watched the marked lane. He made sure the place was safe before he made a move on her.
He had read her expression perfectly, torn between wanting more and scolding him, she'd only whispered his name right after the kiss, shot the last two bullets and they had a quiet drive back home.
When they arrived she avoided his gaze, hurrying inside for privacy. Cas didn't care.
Janet was simply too alluring, too irresistible to him. The twinge of jealousy he felt seeing Cole near her— confirmed just how much he wanted her. Her body language during the kiss had already told him everything he needed to know about her feelings. And he smirked. He wasn't done with her yet.
He missed Jack. He would probably tell him how much he was attracted to this woman—about how much she pulled him in. They'd sit over greasy pizza laugh, tease, and maybe argue like they always did. Jack had been the only one who truly understood him. They'd grown together, fought together, and cried together. Jack might have been a year older, but Cas had always felt the need to protect him.
Toward others he was ruthless, clawing for reputation, but never with Jack. With Jack he was vulnerable. Some part of him still wanted to believe his brother hadn't meant it— that he was compelled. Deep down, all Cas wanted, was to see him again.
**
Janet pretended to listen as Cole went on and on, chest puffed, recounting how he had "single-handedly" apprehended a criminal who had held five hostages…or was it four?
Her mind wasn't with him. It circled back to Cas—that man was more unpredictable than she had thought. The memory of the kiss still burned. She had missed it the second it ended, aching for him to take it further. She had pressed herself into him enough…hadn't she? Or maybe he just wasn't into her.
"It's crazy how these Criminals can be so unhinged," Cole finished proudly adjusting his collar. "But we, the police, do our job despite the odds."
Janet smiled at him and stretched into a fake yawn, glancing at the clock.
"Oh. Would you look at the time? Didn't know it was this late already."
Cole shrugged "I don't mind. I just…I'm not comfortable leaving you with that man. I don't trust him. Especially around you."
"You shouldn't be worried about that. Cas wouldn't hurt me." Janet assured him, though her tone was softer than she meant.
Cole narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering into something else—envy. "You seem to trust him."
"It's not tha…" she started, but Cas walked in cutting her short.
Both she and Cole turned toward him. Cas didn't so much as glance their way, only strolled down the hall and into the guest room, shutting the door behind him.
Eventually, Cole left. Janet swept the living room, clearing the clutter left behind by the earlier crowd. When the floor was bare again, she found herself outside Cas' door, knuckles brushing it lightly.
"May I come in?"
The door opened almost at once, Cas' head poking out.
"Hey."
Janet's stomach fluttered. She held up the broom and duster clumsily, a weak excuse. "I thought maybe your room could use a little cleaning."
"I'll take that." His voice was flat as he reached for the cleaning tools. "You should go get some rest. It's been a busy day."
She nodded, retreating as the door closed behind her. For a moment she stood in the quiet, the rejection settling heavier than she wanted to admit. He wasn't going to mention the kiss. Maybe he never would.
Fine. She'd act like it never happened, too.
**
"This is a ridiculous plan," Mirabel said flatly, arms crossed. Cas read the annoyance and impatience on her face.
He only shrugged "It sounds that way but it's guaranteed."
It was the next day. His men, Janet, Mirabel, and her crew all gathered in the living room.
Kratos and Amira had reported no suspicious activity in the Diamond Casino during the day. Too normal, almost empty.
Cory and Tower, however, had a different story. A regular at the club — a drunk who had gotten friendly with them — let something slip.
He said that on Saturday nights, about three or four small figures were brought in. He couldn't tell if they were kids; their bodies were hidden under black robes. They were taken straight into the VVIP.
The same man also claimed he was stopped from entering a door that led further down. An underground club, he believed, though he wasn't certain it was part of Diamond or somewhere close by.
Cory and Tower added one more detail: they had charmed a waitress. Enough to make her anticipate their visits. Enough to keep her talking, if they played it right.
Cas had simply proposed that they get ahead of their enemies by infiltrating the Diamond.
"It's only logical that we surround the place. I'm certain the kids will be in the underground— whatever's located there." Mirabel countered.
"It wasn't confirmed that its location is under the club" Cas explained. "Some underground parts are just tunnels leading to another area. That will make it easier for them to escape before you even get there. It'll take some time to search the club, fight the men in case they put up a fight…Just enough time for whoever's down there to escape."
"He's right." Janet said, "Our best option is infiltration."
Cole rolled his eyes.
Mirabel sighed "So who's going in and as what?"
Cas leaned forward "Actually the job would be better done by you. You're a detective. Picking up a role as a spy isn't news to you."
Mirabel looked uneasy. Cas wondered if she was up for it. Still, if she were a detective, she should be able to control her body language under pressure.
His eyes caught Janet's expression. She wasn't happy about the suggestion either— probably cause it was her sister.
"Don't you think it's dangerous for just her?" Janet asked.
"She won't be alone," Cas turned his gaze to Cole, "Detective Cole would be with her."
"I disagree," Cole said sharply. " We need to be out here monitoring the situation— especially the criminals we're working with."
Cas tilted his head, fixing Cole with a hard stare
"If you're truly investigating a case and you have a chance to get closer to your suspect to gain information, isn't that supposed to be a good start? You already have Janet and another detective out here. About three of my boys will also be coming in as regulars to back the plan. Why investigate me, when you should investigate the situation?"
His gaze slid to Janet.
"Or might there be another reason?"
He read the anger ready to burst on her face because of what he'd implied.
Mirabel spoke up "Ok that's enough. How do we get in? I'm pretty sure the place has a bunch of familiar staff."
"The waiting staff might be familiar but the cleaning staff isn't. The Cleaning staff come from an agency that the casino hires." Kratos said. Being a frequent customer, he knew the place and recognized the agency the cleaners came from.
"So how do we infiltrate as cleaners from that agency?" Cole asked.
Cas looked at Cole again, "That's where you guys come in. The police team of hackers will hack the cleaning agency and prevent any emails from Diamond reaching them. As for IDs, you'll be able to get good information from their emails on how to fake them."
"Couldn't we just ask them?" Janet said
"That's risky, you might not know how close the agency and the casino are," Mirabel said.
Cas smirked, "You're catching on, detective."
"And besides," he continued, "cleaners have more reason to go around than any other staff. Cleaners clean up dirt, and for a Casino like Diamond, trash isn't the only dirt to clean up. Most times, it's blood."
He recognized how Janet's body shifted when he said the last word, a small bounce in her chest under the low-cut top, and he felt a rush of pleasure. She looked pretty—her arms and shoulders exposed, probably because it was hot out; she'd paired the top with a pair of jean shorts that showed her curvy legs and beautiful skin.
Mirabel decided to head out with Cole to the station. They had to get the hackers to start work and also get the IDs ready..
Cas spoke to Max. "Get at least one of their security. Take him to the hotel and drill him for some extra information—especially about Jack."
"Yes, boss."
He'd suggested Kratos lie low in the morning so he could go at night with Cory and Tower to observe the casino's main room. The house had cleared of the crowd; it was just him and Janet now. She had slipped into her shoes, probably assuming they were going to learn guns again today.
**
Janet eyed Cas. He didn't look like he was dressed to go out. His gray singlet clung to his torso—the only difference with his bare body was the fabric. His bottoms, a pair of blue trousers, looked simple but expensive.
He looked at her in an almost amused way.
She sighed "I still wanna learn how to shoot. The training wasn't bad yesterday. I also need some activity besides sitting and talking in court all day."
Cas glanced around for a moment. "Well, today's for a hand-to-hand combat."
Her face scrunched with surprise "What?" Then shook her head, "Not sure I can get through that with you."
"You'll be surprised," Cas said, his eyes sliding slowly down her frame.
Her stomach fluttered, unsure what she was anticipating.
They went out to her yard. Janet slipped off her shoes, and Cas did the same. They stood opposite each other, six feet apart.
Cas rolled his shoulders, loosening his arms as if preparing for a real match. Janet looked around, a little unsure of what to do, and did a weak square up.
"What are we doing now?" She asked.
"Pick up the gun."
There was a gun? Janet blinked.
"Look left," He said.
She saw it and picked it up, looking at it quizzically. He had a gun all this time.
"You're gonna aim it at me and pull the trigger the second I move."
Her gaze snapped to him sharply "I'm not shooting you."
Cas rolled his eyes, "That's why it's not loaded, baby."
She blushed at the baby. She assumed the stance she had practiced yesterday, aiming the gun at him.
Cas squared up, facing her as she held the weapon. He moved before she could pull the trigger, grabbing her from behind, his arm sliding around her neck—firm, but not enough to hurt. She felt his ripped body press against her back, his breath on her neck, then he let her go. She gasped for air.
"You're dead before you know it."
Janet shrugged "Can't blame for thinking guns weren't useless."
"In certain situations," he completed for her "I personally think guns are for emergencies. Like a prey running away, or a fool running toward you from a distance even after clearly seeing you holding a gun."
She covered her mouth slightly to muffle her laughter.
Cas chuckled "You shouldn't cover it. Your laughter is one of the most captivating things about you."
Janet's laughter froze, surprise replacing it. He didn't give her the chance to absorb what he'd said. Instead, he stepped opposite her again, squaring up and rolling his shoulders. In a louder, firmer voice—though still gentle —he said:
"Eyes on me. I'm real life, not a cardboard with a painting you should shoot at just because it's moving. You have to focus on the gun and me. Mentally, one eye on the gun and one eye on me. You can't afford to let your fingers slip from the trigger. The second I move, you pull. Got it?"
Janet blinked, swallowing hard. This was the reason why she hadn't wanted to practice hand-to-hand combat. Why couldn't she just shoot all the enemies from a distance? Wasn't that why guns were invented? She assumed her stance again, aiming the gun at Cas.
He began, "You ready?"
Janet nodded.
"Do not hesitate," he encouraged her.
She focused, but in a flash Cas got behind her again and flipped her over, pinning her hands above her head. His body pressed on top of hers, their faces hovered inches away from each other, her lower body caught between his legs.
She struggled to catch her breath, trying to process how everything had happened so fast. She turned her head away trying to break away from his stare
"Cas. No."
She refused to let him kiss her again— only to have him pretend it never happened afterwards.
He released her and stood up. She followed quickly, hoping to mask the flash of disappointment that came when he let her go. He smiled, silently telling her without words that he'd noticed.
He offered her a hand, but she slapped it away and stood up on her own. She assumed her stance, aiming the gun at him with a determination to call out his bullshit.
He grinned, flashing his perfect pearly whites, then he squared up, rolling his shoulders as he settled into position.
"You ready?" he asked.
Janet nodded, focusing on him—the man who annoyed her and aroused the hell out of her at the same time.
The second he moved, she pulled the trigger. He stayed put and applauded her.
"Good one, Janet," he said.
She relaxed and shrugged.
"What have you noticed so far, Janet?" His voice dropped low, smooth, almost seductive.
"That you're a jerk " She snapped, God, he infuriated her so much.
Cas chuckled, "Well, I take full accountability for that. But I'll tell you something: Your emotions when you get your defense skills right, are always tied to anger. And anger—" he stepped closer, eyes fixed on her. "— is the greatest accessory in winning a fight. Brute force is stimulated by it. Anger amplifies focus. Learn to channel it when defending yourself against an enemy."
**
Janet stood in the middle of the yard as Cas paced around her like a predator circling its prey.
He yelled—not too loud— " I'll be coming up from behind you, Janet."
They had earlier practiced how she would hit him in the groin with her calf and then strike his face with the back of her elbow from behind.
"We're gonna go for the same hit to the groin and elbow to the face. You hear me."
Janet nodded assuming a stance of anticipation.
"Remember, in a real-life situation, an attacker will not announce his attack to you," Cas said. Then in a quick flash, he grabbed her from behind with a firm grip around her neck.
She struck him with the back of her elbow, then drove her calf into his groin. Cas staggered back with a grunt, giving her a thumbs up.
He heard her fiercely whisper, "Yes."
Janet smiled at him triumphantly, and he praised her, "Atta girl."