A Common Enemy

"Are you out of your mind?" Lanet stared at Beau, eyes wide with a mix of anger and disbelief.

Beau turned to him, his lips curling into a grin that was equal parts smug and unhinged. "Why, yes, I am," he replied, baring all his teeth like the lunatic Lanet clearly thought he was.

Lanet's glare intensified, his tone rising. "Are you fucken insane?"

Beau raised a brow. Wasn't insanity just a step beyond being out of one's mind? Did it really matter?

The emotions on Lanet's face shifted like storm clouds—anger, shock, and then back to anger again. "You are not stealing from him," Lanet spat, jabbing a finger in Beau's direction. "If you so much as try, I swear I'll report you to the police myself!"

Beau rolled his eyes, as though Lanet's threats were as nonsensical as a passing breeze. "I thought that's what you wanted." 

Lanet's mouth opened and closed, his words stumbling over themselves. "I—what? No! I was hurt, Beau. I just wanted you to... to face the consequences or something! How could you think—oh god." He dragged a hand down his face, exhaling heavily.

"Well, Lanet," Beau began, his tone casual, "with or without your help, I'm going after every single cent that man owns. You can thank me later when you get your precious diamonds back."

Lanet's eyes bulged. "You'll rot in jail—or worse!"

Beau shrugged, entirely unbothered. "Then I'll rot with a smile on my face," he smiled. "Because I'll know his wealth is being put to better use somewhere else."

Jail wasn't something that scared Beau. Not anymore. He had fantasized many times about getting caught and putting the prison to shame as he escaped. 

Without waiting for another word, Beau turned on his heel and strode toward the house. Lanet, still sputtering with disbelief, hurried to keep up, his steps quickening until he was walking beside Beau.

"Uh, what's going on?" Ariel asked as they entered the house, her eyes darting between Beau and Lanet. The confusion on her face deepened as she tried to piece together what the tension was all about.

"Ariel, please talk some sense into him," Lanet pleaded. "He wants to steal from Ronald Hue. That man isn't just unkind—he's dangerous!" His hopeful gaze rested on Ariel, as if expecting her to immediately side with him.

"Beau, what is he talking about?" Ariel asked, turning to him with a raised brow.

A slow grin spread across Beau's face. "Hope Diamond. Forty-five-point-five-two carats. A blue stone worth more than Hue's entire estate." His grin widened, his tone practically dripping with defiance. "Plus, the asshole stole it first. So, technically, we're just taking it back."

Ariel's reaction was instantaneous. She shrieked, eyes wide with excitement. "So, we're doing it?"

"Fuck yes," Beau replied without hesitation. There was no fear in his voice, only determination. He didn't care if Hue found out it was him. In fact, he was counting on it. He wanted to see the look on the bastard's face when he realized a middle-class shit-ass had robbed him blind.

"You are not doing this!" Lanet shot back sharply. "It's wrong!" His desperation to reason with them was almost endearing, if not entirely futile.

Beau tilted his head, unimpressed. Ariel chimed in, her tone deliberately innocent. "Oh, I thought you wanted us to steal it for you?"

Lanet groaned shaking his head. "That was angry me talking. This is rational me. And rational me thinks this is a stupid, reckless idea! You don't understand how dangerous that man is."

The corner of Beau's mouth twitched. He could feel irritation bubbling up in him. Did Lanet really believe they weren't capable of pulling this off? Did he genuinely think they'd fail?

Beau clenched his fists, resisting the urge to snap back. I wanted you to find me, Lanet! he wanted to yell. Stealing the Hope Diamond had been deliberate, every detail carefully planned. He hadn't even worn Nova's hat that day, just to make sure his face was visible enough to be recognized. And yet, here Lanet stood, underestimating them as if they were amateurs.

But Beau swallowed the words, letting Lanet rant. He wasn't about to explain himself—especially not now.

"You don't even know what kind of security Hue has," Lanet continued, his voice rising in pitch. "Or how many people he's got ready to string you up if you get caught!"

Beau's smirk grew into a grin. "Oh, that won't be a problem. We always take our time to research," he replied, his tone nonchalant. "Besides, we already have a pretty good idea of the security he's running. Hue's up to something big, and we're one step ahead."

Ariel, who had been furiously texting on her phone, chose that moment to chime in. "You didn't tell him about the device?"

Beau's grin froze. His gaze snapped to Ariel, mouth pressed thinly. God help me before I strangle her. He thought he'd been perfectly clear about keeping things quiet until they had everything figured out.

"What device?" Lanet demanded, his brows knitting together in suspicion.

Beau shot Ariel a death glare but forced an awkward smile for Lanet's benefit. "Uhm, well, no, I didn't tell him. And I'm pretty sure I told you not to tell anyone," he said clearly annoyed.

Lanet's eyes narrowed, waiting.

"Alright, fine." Beau reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, sleek device. He pressed a button, and a holographic projection flickered to life.

Blueprints of a security system floated in mid-air, glowing faintly in the dim light.

"What the hell is that?" Lanet looked shocked.

"Let's just say," Beau began with a sly smile, "it's our little ticket to leveling the playing field."

Lanet stared at the projection, his jaw tightening. "You stole this?"

Beau's grin only widened. "Let's call it borrowing."

"Where did you even get that? They could track it," Lanet said, narrowing his eyes as he inspected the device.

Beau leaned casually against the counter, his grin unwavering. "Oh, I got it from Mr. You Can't Read. Don't worry—he won't even know it's missing. We made a copy of it and returned the original, like the nice, upstanding citizens we are."

He said it so casually, like borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor. Lanet's lips pressed into a thin line as his gaze darted between the device and Beau.

"You returned it?" Lanet echoed, skeptical.

"Technically, yes." Beau shrugged. "Teddy handled it. Dropped the original back at the playground so they'd think it fell."

Lanet's shoulders sagged in defeat. "You know what? I'm not even going to ask any more questions."

"Ariel, can you excuse us?" Beau said, glancing at his sister. She nodded and left the room, casting one last look at Lanet before disappearing.

Beau waited until the door clicked shut, then turned back to Lanet.

"Lanet," he began, his voice quieter, "I already told you before—I'll always be a thief until—"

"—until the government treats you like a human being. Yeah, yeah, I know," Lanet interrupted, finishing the sentence for him with a resigned sigh. "I just didn't expect it'd be so soon."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Lanet's frown deepened.

"Why do I keep digging myself deeper into this?" he muttered, more to himself than Beau.

"You're not really digging; it's more like you're... taking a calculated leap of faith." Beau smirked, unapologetic as ever.

Lanet let out a long sigh and shook his head. "Fine. I'll help you where I can—just this once—because I don't like that old creep, but the second things go sideways, we're out. Understood?"

"Of course," Beau replied smoothly, his grin turning victorious. He knew he had won.

Lanet might have been reluctant, but Beau also knew the man couldn't resist sticking it to someone like Hue. And with Lanet's knowledge of their shared enemy, he'd be an invaluable asset.

"Don't make me regret this," Lanet warned.

"You won't," Beau's smile widened, a glint of triumph in his eyes. Lanet wasn't just an ally; he was a precious tool, one that Beau had acquired carefully. Lanet knew Hue better than anyone else in their circle, and that knowledge was invaluable.

It was all falling into place—better than Beau could have anticipated.

His mind churned with the possibilities. The pieces were lining up on the board, each one perfectly positioned. With Lanet's cooperation, the game was about to begin.

And Beau?

He was more than ready to play.