Chapter 3

Heinz and Calliope were guiding them through a voice call and they were just following their lead.

Raven and Zarek acted like a couple when they entered the bar, Raven was leaning to Zarek and Zarek has his arms around Raven's waist.

When they finally settled inside, Raven pushed Zarek as if she finds him disgusting. 

Zarek on the other hand, tried his best to calm down as he doesn't want to get carried away by his running out patience. 

"The item was in Mr. Zapata's neck. I sent you a photo of the man" Heinz informed them. 

Both Raven and Zarek has their eyes glued on the image that was sent to them. It was a man in his fifty's. He has a paunchy stomach and a receding hairline. He was even wearing a suit that looks too young for his age and  his pants were also struggling to keep up with his belly. Judging from the photo and the way he grin, it was obvious that he's a perverted old man. 

They roamed their eyes around discreetly, and both of it landed at the same subject at the same time. 

He was there at the center of the sofa, surrounded by girls clinging to him. Those girls were probably just the same age as Raven so her expression can't even be painted when he saw Mr. Zapata kissing one of the girls. 

"Yuck," Raven murmured. She wants to vomit because what she just saw is nauseating. "I could never. I would punch him before he touches me." Raven said with finality in her voice. 

"Too bad, you have to." Heinz said. "That necklace doesn't belong to him. One of the victim he killed owned that and our client–a family of the victim wants it back because it's the only remembrance they have."  

Raven gritted her teeth. Heinz really knows how to get her. 

"Aside from that, the necklace cost a million dollars. It's a heirloom" 

Both Zarek and Raven stiffened by that price of the necklace. 

Raven narrowed her vision to see the necklace on Mr. Zapata's neck clearly. There it is, a gold chain with gold and gemstone pendant. 

She gasped seeing that, it was emerald in color and her thoughts just flew imagining how she can get that piece of jewel out of that old man's neck.

"Want me to try?" 

She arched her brows when she heard Zarek's suggestion. She finds it hilarious. 

"What? You'll seduce him?" She laughed at Zarek who seems to lost all his composure after hearing what she just said. 

"I don't swing that way Raven." He flatly answered. "I'll try to steal it." 

Raven tsked, "that's my job, not yours." She seriously said. "Stay in your lane, ranger and watch me."

She drank the martini on their table and she stood up stealthily walking towards the dance floor. 

She didn't waste any time. She grind her hips and danced alluringly. She made sure she's getting the attention she deserves as she moves seductively. 

She bit her lower lip when her eyes met Mr. Zapata's. He seems delighted and he was looking at her with desire. 

She smiled and continued her act until the old man finally called her and even gestured her to sit beside him. 

She complied. Raven succeed in gaining his interest so she smirked and even tilted her head to rest it in his shoulders. Raven could only throw up at the back of her head, she was really disgusted but she did all her best to just focus on the object she has to steal. 

"You're a pretty woman." He said, his accent was thick but his voice was a bit shaky. "I haven't seen you before, is this your first time here?" He asked. 

She sensually touched his chest near where the necklace was resting. "Yes, and I'm enjoying my time" she smiled sweetly. 

Mr. Zapata suddenly laughed maniacally that it almost scared the shit out of her. "Then, I'll do my part and I'll make the best of your time."

He neared their gaps and planned to give her a kiss. 

To Raven? That was a sign. She was just waiting for that moment for her to get what she wants to get and she'll just forget what happened. 

Her hands were fast as she wrapped her arms around his neck as if giving him a hug and teasing him. 

She already detached the necklace from the back and she was about to get it completely when someone popped out of nowhere. 

Raven don't know what's happening anymore. This isn't part of the plan!  

Zarek was now behind the man and he looks like he is fuming mad. He pointed at his own earpiece and that's when Raven realized her piece wasn't working. She's not hearing anything from her team since she walked towards the dancefloor.  

She acted like she's enjoying the cuddle with Mr. Zapata and she made her hand movements even faster. She let the necklace drop at the back, and Zarek tactfully picked it up. 

After that, she immediately plan to pull herself out of the picture but another familiar voice filled her ears. 

"I didn't expect to see you here señorita." The voice was deep and sweet. "Much more, to see you 'flirting' with Mr. Zapata" 

She closed her eyes in a sudden rage and embarrassment. She pulled herself out slowly and she smiled at Mr. Zapata before facing the owner of that voice who was sitting comfortably in front of them. 

"You know each other?" Mr. Zapata asked. 

Raven was about to deny it but the man–Kai spoke first. 

"Yes, she's my señorita," he even haughtily said. 

"What do you mean he's your señorita, Mr. Sage? Please make it clear."

Kai pouted and he glanced at her. When their eyes met, she was actually thankful she didn't feel an ounce of attraction. She thought it was likely to be covered by hatred. 

But nevertheless, she still smiled charmingly. 

"What else do I mean by that?" He asked innocently. "She's my girl."

His stares were making her insides turn upside down. Now that he's facing him again, after all those years, all the feelings that were bottled up came to her asking her to free them. 

She wants to kill the man in front of him right away, but she has to calm herself down. She knows a way to take him down slowly and painfully. 

She smiled sweetly, agreeing to Kai. "Yes, he's my señorito. But he actually left me all of a sudden so I thought we're done." 

"Oh baby, we're just getting started."

Kai's smiles were reaching his Hazel brown eyes. "Can I take my señorita now, Mr. Zapata?"

The old man was obviously not pleased by his appearance. He also doesn't want to share the girl he didn't even get a taste with but Mr. Zapata knew better than to anger Kai. 

Mr. Zapata hasn't even answered yet but Kai stood up and he held Raven's arms, gently guiding her to stand up as well. He also offers his own arms for her to take as they walked out. 

"You're gorgeous," he whispered behind her ears. 

Raven played along, "and you're handsome," she shot back. Both of them grinned at each other. 

"So Kai... Why don't we dance for tonight?" Raven suggested to which Kai agreed upon. 

"My pleasure," he winked. 

It was a moment of dilly-dally and Raven completely forgot about Zarek who was actually watching them from behind. He never let his eyes off Raven, because he was tasked to protect her at all cost.