Chapter 2

Misha's crazy laughter rang out in the sports whip. "You got that right, bitch. As long as we're partners, infiltrating even the damn White House would be a cake walk." Her laughter dying down, she turned to Lily with a serious look. "If you're really gonna dip out on this gig, what you plannin' to do instead?"

Lily flashed a faint smile. "Do whatever the fuck I want."

Looking at Lily's totally chill demeanor, like the world crumblin' couldn't faze her, Misha shoved the snatched jade into her hand and smiled back. "Don't be a lazy ho. You're responsible for deliverin' this treasure to its final stop. After that, we're free and clear." She gave Lily's shoulder a pat.

Without hesitation, Lily slammed on the brakes. Before the whip even stopped, Misha jumped out smooth as silk, hitting the rough concrete in an elegant landing. Her wild curls danced in the wind, each move brimmin' with cat-like grace highlighted by her stunner looks - enough to earn admirin' whistles from nearby dudes on the street.

Not even glancin' at her admirers, Misha just said over her shoulder, "I'll hit you up later, boo."

Lily gave a solemn nod as she brought the Ferrari to a full stop and got out. "Stay safe out there, sis."

With a casual wave, Misha disappeared into the crowd fillin' the city streets. Lily's gaze lingered on the retreatin' figure of her partner for so many years, their paths so rarely divergin'. Leanin' against the sleek red chassis, she let a wistful smile crease her lips. From now on, they'd finally have total freedom and independence.

A strong gust whipped Lily's hair into her face, snatchin' away the green silk scarf around her neck. She shivered as she watched the wayward fabric tumblin' through the air like a fallin' leaf caught in a breeze. 

Out of nowhere, a black Cadillac whip appeared headin' the opposite way, barrelin' down the road way too fast. The driftin' emerald scarf got sucked right into the Caddy's grill as it flew by. For that split second, Lily's eyes met a pair of icy cold ones that just dismissively slid off her.

She just shrugged it off, not sweatin' a dumb scrap of cloth. If it's lost, whatever. Hoppin' back into the Ferrari, she gunned the engine and peeled out, goin' the opposite way from the Cadillac.

A few days later, inside a castle-like mansion in Rome, Italy's capital, two middle-aged dudes were kickin' it in the study room. 

The older one, probably around 40, played with a spare bullet as he said, "Lily and Misha never let us down. They're damn precious gems, no doubt."

The younger guy smiled and nodded. "They sure proved our trainin' was on point. Right now, they're ranked fifth globally and rakin' in crazy profits for us."

"All that effort groomin' their talents paid off big time," the elder dude chuckled. "Not a waste at all."

Their laughter got interrupted by noise comin' from outside the study door. "Boss! Boss!"

The older man's brow furrowed, pissed at the disturbance. "What the hell is it? You know me and him are talkin' in here."

The guy outside sounded nervous as fuck. "A package came from Lily."

The tension in the study evaporated. "Come in then," the elder boss ordered. 

Wearin' a happy face, the older dude tore into the package and pulled out the jade piece. He checked it over for a minute then nodded his approval. "Good shit! This is my first time seein' an actual jade from the Qin dynasty era. Lily and Misha killed it again."

The younger guy leaned in, eyein' the rare artifact greedily. "I'm really diggin' Lily. She's legit our most prized asset. Way I see it, we gotta make sure she stays loyal to us...permanently."

A sinister chuckle rumbled from the older man. "Shit, you're readin' my mind. Her skills are undeniable. Way I figure it, she'll probably stack $50 mil to buy her freedom within two years tops. Not happenin' on my watch. We'll set the plan we talked about in motion once she's back."

Cruel laughter filled the fancy study, echoин' harsh and discordant.

A little while later, the older boss realized there was a letter tucked in with the packaging too. As he cracked the wax seal and read it, a mockin' laugh burst out. "Wonder what fresh hell Lily's cooked up now, sendin' us extra mail..." His scornful tone cut off abruptly, face twistin' with rage. "That lyin' little bitch!"

His furious palm slammed down on the desk so hard it knocked over a crystal decanter, shatterin' it into glitterin' shards across the rich carpet.

Alarmed, the younger guy snatched the offensive letter, eyebrows shootin' up as he rapidly read the contents. Besides a crazy huge $100 million cashier's check, it only had one terse line:

"The $100 mil check is in a Swiss bank. That was our deal for me and Misha's freedom from this crew. We're done after this."

The younger man's face twisted up like the older guy's in pure fury. "Treacherous sabotage, yo!"

"Nice try, Lily," the older boss growled, scoopin' up the useless check with hands shakin' in rage. "You wanna fly the coop? Fat chance, bitch! This ain't some place you just resign from on a whim." Clutchin' the draft like a dirty rag, he bellowed for his thugs. "Get the disciplinary crew here now! I want that ungrateful little ho hunted down and her wings clipped permanently before she even thinks about escapin'!"