Chapter Eight

James Cern sat at his desk, his chin resting on his hands as he stared at a spot on wall opposite him thoughtfully. After all, he had a lot to think about. The offer that had been put forward was…amazingly dangerous business wise, for lack of a better description, especially with the company's money.

But he only has four days to make a decision. Cern had always been an opportunist, and this was a huge financial opportunity. The biggest one that had ever been introduced to him – he'd done the math so many times, just to be sure – 190,000 multiplied by three was a heart stopping amount of money; about double what his monthly pay was contracted as. And he really liked money.

Cern closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. In the craziness of his mind, the image of Elizabeth Peters was formed. He growled under his breath. Gods, how he wanted her - he had never lasted his long waiting for a woman, but this one was so innocent and young and so damn teasing. It was as if she was playing with him but he doubted she was capable of such things.

"I like someone who can take a risk," her voice flittered through his memory. Someone who can take risks, huh? He smirked to himself.


"Elizabeth!"

Rosalind looked up at the call of her character's name and a bright smile covered her features when Cern approached.

"I've just spoken to that Emily Carter – you know, the secretary at Global Intec. I have a day arranged for the pickup. It's in two days. 190,000 pounds…"

She whistled. "That's a lot of money…"

Cern sighed deeply and took a step closer, so his hand brushed her hip. "I know it's risky but isn't it worth it with the outcome being so large – so profitable?"

Rosalind swallowed nervously. "Well, yes…I suppose it would be worth it…"

"And wouldn't that be the same in a situation where say, a woman you really want has a boyfriend?" Cern questioned, raising his hand to stroke under her chin.

Rosalind took a step back instinctively and Cern followed. "I…I don't know James. I've, ah, never been in that situation before…"

"I have. Many times. It's quite frustrating actually." He mused, "But I've long since realised it is so much easier just to take what I want…"

Rosalind tensed when he grabbed her hips tightly, his nails digging in, and he forced his mouth against his. The kiss was toothy and hard and painful. All too familiar.

Cern groaned in annoyance when he heard (and felt) the buzz of her mobile phone. "Let it go to voicemail..."

Rosalind fumbled with the phone. "I...I can't. It's my Dad. If I don't answer, he'll come here himself."

With shaking hands, she raised the device to her ear. "H-hello?"

"Get back now."

"I'll be right there."


"Are you alright?" Sean asked worriedly as soon as she came through the door of the penthouse suite. Dropping her bag to the floor, she gave him a watery look and shook her head. She sniffed loudly and rubbed her eyes with the palm of her hands.

Ash hugged her in a way only a father could his daughter. Rosalind clung to him tightly, her eyes clenched shut. He brushed his hand over her hair in an attempt to calm her. Everyone stayed silent and just watched the family embrace until the sobs subsided into high pitched hiccups. She pulled back sniffing.

"Are you okay Rosie?" Emma rested a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Rosalind smiled weakly. "I'll be fine. He just...terrified me in all." She sniffed again and rubbed her nose, "Apparently, he was 'taking a risk'..."

"Would anyone be opposed to the idea of kicking the crap out of him?" Sean questioned furiously.

Rosalind shook her head. "You guys aren't thugs and I don't expect you to act like them now. No, just stick with the plan. Conning him out of his lively hood will make me feel better and none of you will end up in a cell." She smiled softly at Sean, "Thanks for caring though..." She sighed shakily and levelled her gaze with her uncle, "So Mickey, what's the next step?"

He stared at her silently for a moment as if not knowing if he should. She cocked her head and gave him a pleading look that no one else saw. With a sigh, Mickey nodded. "Cern called a few hours ago to organise a drop off of his £190,000 investment. Emma said that she'd fax him the whereabouts once we've heard from Darren Peters. Ash, I need you to find us an office building, somewhere open and busy – make it more realistic. Albert, I'll need you to try and get some money together from your business friends, for Mr. Peters to handover. It has to be real money, and our...reservoirs are currently empty. Sean, from the office building that Ash finds I need you to find us a weak point, a way in. Emma, I need you to get us some identifications – something new and will get us into the office building that Ash picks out. Babygirl, you are going to take a break, and don't argue with me." he interjected when she opened her mouth, "You've done your job so now you have to rest."

She sighed in defeat. "Okay Uncle Mickey..."

He clapped. "Excellent. Everyone get busy – we have two days."


Rosalind paced her room, circling her bed once, and then twice. She had her arms folded across her chest and was holding her upper arms tightly, breathing deeply and slowly. She could still feel his hands on her and it made her cringe at the memory. As much as she loved Mickey for caring, she knew that leaving her alone to her thoughts at the moment probably wasn't the best idea. She circled the bed one more time before she grabbed her mobile from her bedside table and typed in the number she knew off by heart.

She bit her bottom lip, her eyes wide, as she listened to the dull ringing.

"Hello?"

"Abby? It's me, Rosalind."

"Rosie! How are you?"

"...Can we talk?"

Her voice was concerned. "Rosie...what happened? Is it Jackson, again?"

"No...Definitely not." Rosalind chuckled weakly, dryly, "But you're the only one I can talk to about this. Remember you told me about that seedy boss of yours..."

"James Cern – yeah, I remember him but...oh, Rosie, you didn't..."

"I did."


The 5th floor of a rented building in the centre of London was the perfect setting. The owner of the small time business company, Richard Keiths, was a man who made some bad choices in his past, and it was an easy weakness to play on. Mickey and Albert had been hurriedly put into one of the offices and, after letting the smiling man know that they had associates coming soon, were left alone.

"Are we sure about this?" Albert asked.

Mickey nodded. "Positive. This will work, I know it will. I think our main problem is keeping Ash – and Sean, for that matter – from attacking Cern when he arrives."

"That is easier said than done." Albert pointed out.

It was about 10 minutes later when Ash and Sean appeared with Cern not that far behind. Pleasantries were exchanged before the four settled into their seats (Sean was standing beside Ash). Cern leant back in his chair; hand on his lap, with a huge smile on his face. It seemed he was acting as if what had happened between him and 'Elizabeth Peters' hadn't happened – Ash believed that was what really annoyed him.

"So do you have your investments ready?" Albert questioned, glancing between the two men across from him.

Ash raised his hand, clutching a brief case. "It's all here - £190,000 in full."

As if to prove he was telling the truth, he opened the case and showed them the rows of £20 notes that had been specially prepared for that moment. Cern opened the brief case and showed the £50 notes off to the two men.

Mickey grinned. "Excellent. It seems it's all there. We're glad you both decided to invest. I assure you, it is not a mistake."

"It was a good deal. You'd be stupid not to take it, Nico." Ash laughed deeply.

"So when do we see the prototype?" Cern asked.

"We will get this lot taken to the broker as soon as possible. Once the instalment has cleared, we are legally allowed to reveal the product. It will be sent with you within the next 24 hours at the most." Mickey explained.

Cern clapped the arms of his seat. "Perfect. Is that all?"

"Did you expect it to be more difficult?" Albert laughed.

"I didn't know what to expect to be honest – each company is different after all." Cern smiled, "Anyway, I have to return to the office. I have a ton of work to do and I left the sub in charge of the phones."

"Ah, yes, my dear Elizabeth is sick – bed ridden." Ash explained sharply, "I was meant to get her to call in sick but she was just so ill, the poor thing."

"It's no problem really Darren. I wish her a speedy recovery." Cern nodded.

"Well, it seems we're done here." Mickey rose from his seat and held out his hand, "It's a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen."

"As always old friend." Ash rose onto his feet and shook the hand graciously.

Cern copied. "I'll look forward to doing business with you in the future, and even more for the money that soon follows."