Bentley's POV

Well I guess once again it would be up to me to get everything back on track, at first I figured this whole team up idea would be great, we need extra hands to infiltrate Dr. M's base but now there's more of us and more chance of split opinions and distractions.

Plus with the history between the two gangs I'm not too sure if this was such a good idea. Although I'm glad to have Penelope on the team I had no idea she worked with Lola, they seem like an odd pair to be friends but I'm sure they make it work.

"Bentley, you ready with the plan?" Penelope asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah sure just make sure everyone's prepared, I'll be there in a sec."

After everyone had gathered round I started to conduct my speech.

"Well, seeing as we don't have much entrance to the palace or the club, and the only ones that can get past the walls are Sly and Lola so this plan is mostly improve for now. Our first act is getting into the club, which Lola will try to do by auditioning, in the meantime Sly will try and get pictures of any guests that have turned up for the event or are wondering around the palace also try to gain entry to the palace or the club, and his second job will be to find out how we lower this drawbridge and take immediate action."

"But what happens if I don't get the job?" Lola asked.

"Then you'll have to somehow persuade Rajan to let you hang around the palace or club during the ball. But we'll have a more solid plan if the circumstance dictates." I said.

"For now just go along with what we have so far, make sure you stay in constant contact so we can track your progress and find out more about Rajan's operation." I said and they others set off to complete their tasks.

It was mainly Sly and Lola doing the work at this point and the rest of us were having an easier time, but we'd have our parts eventually.

Sly's POV

"Okay Sly, Lola's at her audition, Rajan's at the club choosing performers so there should only be guests or guards at the palace, I found a balcony that has a good view of the palace, but be careful you're not seen by the nearby guards. You shouldn't be detected as long as you stay away from the inside balcony." Bentley said.

"Got it."

I went in through the balcony, there was a wall and archway covered by curtains and beyond that a balcony where two guards stood as long as I held back and took advantage of the cameras zoom I should be fine. Now I had to see who was at this shindig.

I spotted the Clockwerk wings attached to the statue; they were a lot bigger and heavier than I thought, but that winch could come in handy.

Now onto the guest list.

I spotted Muggshot wandering the floor, but more surprisingly a few Klaww Gang members had shown up, Jean Bison and Arpeggio I had a feeling this wasn't the last we'd see of them.

Of course when there's criminals knocking about it brings the interest of the cops, Carmelita was here, as expected, but also Constable Neyla perhaps she could have more information. Plus not only them but the Contessa, you know it feels like your never more than 6ft from a cop, I swear there everywhere, at least where we go they are.

With that done I now had to think of a way to get that drawbridge down. But I was also more concerned with Lola's audition, maybe I could figure a way to sneak into the club too, Muggshot wasn't there and Rajan's distracted, besides I never had much of a problem with guards anyway.

Making my way over to the club took longer than expected this place was huge and it felt like it kept getting bigger, lots of tunnels and hidden rooms. I got to the club and I could see a long line of people lined up, obviously for an audition, I didn't realise this was such a well known event. No sign of Lola though, maybe she's already gone in.

The club was many stories tall so finding an entrance wasn't hard and not many guards were patrolling the outside so if I stayed on the roof it shouldn't be a problem. I found an open slot in one of the lower roof tops and it gave me a good bird's eye view of the inside, luckily it was the stage where the performers and Rajan were at.

There were two acts in front of Lola and from what I could tell if you if you don't get the part it won't end well. She seemed nervous and I don't blame her, I just hope that quietly singing in bathrooms and kitchens can transfer to stage or she's screwed.

The act before was pretty mediocre and they made it so maybe she has a better chance. But I noticed she was getting outside help, I can only assume its Bentley, but I guess her next few minutes of performance would be guided by him seeing he knows more about Rajan and has probably spotted a pattern in performers. I have, so far there are no male acts, so at least she has an even stronger chance.

The music started a large piano was at centre stage and she rested against it. It was quite a slow song to start and gradually build up; I could see the growth in confidence as she got more into it, but I wasn't too impressed when she started throwing Rajan a few looks I knew too well.

I guess Bentley's been reading the Art of Seduction, not that Lola needs any pointers I distinctly remember her persuasive tricks during some heists so I can't say I'm surprised.

Although I can tell Rajan is, even looks like he's enjoying it.

The song had ended and it was time for the verdict.

Lola's POV

Uh oh. The song was over, I mean I was pleased I wasn't stopped half way through like some performers, but I'd also seen the fate of the rejects and I did not like the way that went.

I also can't say I was too impressed by Bentley's tactics either, I was nervous enough singing on stage with my potential premature death over my head let alone being told how to flirt with my possible boss.

He didn't seem annoyed but he's difficult to read and boy does this guy like suspense. It seemed like forever I kept looking around anything to temporarily distract me, but I also tried to stand confident I didn't want to look weak and scared; he is a predator after all.

Eventually he had made a decision and motioned for me to stand with the other performers.

I slowly and carefully walked offstage now was no time for clumsiness I sauntered over to the other performers but was stopped and indicated to stay close to Rajan. The look on his face as moved closer was not one to be comforted by.

Sly's POV

She'd made it and apparently Rajan had taken a likeness to her, but then again she was always the socialite.

I knocked on the club door and enquired about the ball, apparently you can't get entry unless you have a tux, which I'm predicting is true for most places around here.

Unfortunately no one thought about formal wear so I was off to the guest houses to see if any of our well dressed, stuffy guests have over packed.

"Okay Bentley I'm in position inside the guest house got any intel for me?" I asked.

"Ah well, I'd recommend searching all the rooms. It's statistically probable that each room should have at least one portion of a tuxedo." He replied.

"What do I look for inside the rooms?"

"This isn't an exact science; ransack the place until you find part of a tuxedo." Bentley replied slightly snappy, sometimes he forgets not everyone shares his level of intellect.

"Any plan involving ransacking is OK with me."

I set off to each room to find a tux, of course this place was piled with guards most rooms had two to three on average and there were two stalking the halls.

With the entire ruckus made I'm surprised it didn't attract a brawl in one corridor.

I had 5 rooms to get through and Rajan had informed the guards that the party was starting to get underway and for guards to be alert for prowlers, I suppose someone like me.

Although too bad Rajan wasn't aware he already had a prowler in his mitts and he'd made the mistake of keeping her close.

After collecting the tux and a bit of extra cash I got back to the club fully suited and booted they let me in.

Inside the club was a surreal experience, the place was packed and more guests were making their way inside for the party. There was a huge dancefloor and stage and Rajan was sat atop his throne watching his operation unfold.

Lola was close by talking to some guests and standing near a group of performers. I strolled over to see how it was going. She finished her conversation with a few guests as she saw me approach and politely shooed them away.

"Well hello sir what brings you to the ball this evening?" She asked politely.

"You know the pretty girls, the party oh and some incredibly valuable and dangerous wings welded to a giant statue. But what makes me curious is what Rajan's little lady is doing so far from his throne. He's taken an interest in you already I can tell." I replied.

"Jealous? Besides it doesn't matter he's not going to tell me anything and I work with you remember." She whispered.

"Ah forbidden love such a tragic thing."

"Knock it off Sly, what are you even here for."

"Just wanted to see how you were doing and if you noticed anything." I said.

"Well I'm fine, and guests have only just started arriving. Then again you'd know that if you spent longer on that roof top spying on me." She smirked.

"How'd you notice that? Besides I was not spying I was seeing what the club looked like and who was inside."

"Why? Not trust me to do my job?" She snapped.

"Of course but-"

"Cooper, ever heard the phrase hold your tongue maybe you should before you draw too much attention both of you are getting quite loud." Constable Neyla said as she approached.

"Constable Neyla, here to bust me or give me more hints?" I asked.

"Well I'd hate to ruin such a lovely atmosphere by bringing you to jail, besides if I take you I'd have to take the others and that is not so much a one woman job. In response to your other query so far I have no hints, except Rajan has eyes and ears everywhere so I'd keep your lovers tiffs indoors, but I do know that Rajan isn't a details man and is prone to making mistakes." She replied.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Lola asked.

"Constable Neyla, pleasure to meet you. I must say you seem to have made quite an impression on this place the guests keep mentioning what a charm you are and big old fur face is definitely captivated." Neyla replied.

"Well the feeling's not mutual and we were not having a lovers tiff, Sly has other business to attend to and it's about time he set off to do it."

"I was going to, thank you, oh and if I don't get to say it later I give you and Aladdin my greatest blessing." I said as I made my exit.

I switched back into my regular outfit and prepared for my next task, Bentley figured out that the keys to the winch were in the possession of 5 guards and just to make my job easier those guards were positioned all around the palace grounds.

It sure wouldn't hurt to have a rest after being on my feet for so long.

Finding the guards was easy getting the key among all the crap in their pockets was what took so long, how do they fit so much in their anyway, but I mean I shouldn't complain its extra money at the end of the day and with all these jobs to do I don't have time to just go around pickpocketing guards.

Soon enough I got all the keys and got back to the drawbridge's winch. The drawbridge was lowered and now my friends could do their part, whatever that may be.

We still had nothing to report and the ball was already in full swing, luckily for us the festivities would be going on for quite a while, Rajan knows how to throw a good party.

Lola's POV

The party was lively but none of the performers that auditioned today had been told to perform yet, nor had we been given any instruction at all except stay close to the club.

It was pretty boring, the guests were all snooty and of high class or importance, I guess Rajan has a point to prove.

It was starting to quiet down and some of the performers were called over in private including me.

A guard led us to a room where Muggshot and Rajan were talking but abruptly stopped as we entered, we were handed some forms to sign, mainly contact stuff, most of mine was fake but the last piece of paperwork was a contract that he made very clear we must sign.

The others just mindlessly followed orders but I wanted to know what this entitled me to, I quickly scanned through the contract and it just got worse the more of it I read.

This contract clearly stated that for the period in which I am his employee I must follow his demands stay within the boundaries set and could possibly or rather more likely be selling my soul to Rajan.

This could be a problem.

A.N. Sorry I've been away so long I got a job and its not left me much free time and this chapter has been a nightmare to write, I struggled to get it right

I have also started a blog linked to my fanfic and deviantart account and i have now officially started posting a link to it is on my profile

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