Worst job ever.

That's what it was. That's it.

Sure, I could do it. I could break into the palace. I could steal the precious jewel worth millions. I could risk life in prison, and possible execution.

"You can do it, and you will do it," Nicholas' voice still rang in my ear, even hours after he'd hissed then in it.

"Yeah, I can. And sure, I will. But that doesn't mean I'll like it."

The older man smirked at me, "You don't have to like it, Roxanne. You just have to do your job and get the hell out of there."

"I said I'll do it, Nick. Don't tell me that all I have to do is do my job and get the hell out. I know what to do. Ugh," I grabbed my bag and the file Nick was holding out, muttered my goodbye, and left the building.

As a thief, I was more than comfortable with the darkness. I thrived in it. So when I stepped out onto the almost pitch-black streets of Dex, I didn't mind that I couldn't see anything in front of me. I knew the path from Nick's place to my house by heart. I knew when to turn and what and where to avoid things.

Once home, I headed upstairs. The only person that cared what tucked into his bed, asleep for the night.

I lived with my family, which consisted of my mother, a forty-five year old work-obsessed lawyer, who slept, bathed, and ate anywhere that wasn't home.

My twenty year old brother Daniel. He's four years my senior, and greatly out of touch with reality. Well, okay. He's going to school to be an architect, so I suppose that puts him at least a little in touch with reality. During the hours that he's not neck deep in his school work, he's locked in his room, doing whatever it is that men his age do.

Growing up, Daniel had been a pretty good brother. He took me out for ice cream and let me tag along with his friends sometimes. But about the time I turned thirteen – which was also around the time that my father died – that all stopped. We grew apart.

Then there was me, Roxanne. Seventeen years old. I dropped out of high school when I was fifteen, and have been working for Nick since I was sixteen. I'd never actually wanted to be a thief. Obviously, it wasn't my life's ambition. I started pick-pocketing to get my mother's attention. But when I realized I wasn't going to get it, I was addicted to the thrill, as small as it was. When Nick approached me, I couldn't say no.

Then there was Ethan. Six years old. He was the cutest little boy ever. So sweet and trusting.

Since our mother was anything but interested in being his mother, the job fell to me. I put him to bed at night, I read him to sleep. I stayed up all hours of the night to make cookies or cupcakes if he needed them for his class.

He was just my little brother, but I felt like his mother. He needed someone.

I passed Daniel's room, then put my stuff in my room, then went into Ethan's room. I pulled the covers up to his chin and tucked them around him, then kissed his cheek softly. I felt guilty when I saw the book on the foot of his bed. No doubt he'd fallen asleep waiting for me to come home and read to him.

"Sorry Peanut," I whispered, then left his room.

I went downstairs to the kitchen and got a bottle of water out of the fridge, then went back upstairs and shut the door to my room behind me. I picked up the file and sat on my bed.

Everything I needed to know about the lay out, security detail, and guests at the palace. Nick had had this place under watch for about a year from the looks of it.

I should have been flattered that he gave me the assignment instead of someone older or more seasoned, but at the moment, I didn't really care.

I knew that the royal family would be arriving at the palace in less than a week. After that, security would be tighter. So I needed to get in before then.

But how?

I sighed. My brain hurt too much to think about it anymore. I changed into pajamas, turned off my light, and crawled into bed.

--

After getting Ethan off to school the next morning, I went to Nick's place. He required everyone to go over what they planned to do with him before actually doing it. Less room for screw ups that way, I guess.

"Ah, Roxanne. I didn't expect to see you back here so soon," he said.

"You're a horrible liar," I replied. I dropped into the chair across from his desk.

"Well? What have you planned?" he asked, "I'm assuming you didn't interrupt my morning for nothing,"

"Oh, of course I did. That's my favorite past time,"

"Just tell me, Roxanne,"

"Right. Well, the royal family is supposed to be here in less than a week, right? And security will be harder to get past. I know that there's a party a few days after they arrive, which you could score invitations for. But, really, they'll be expecting someone to come in and try to steal the diamond during that. Which means on top of successfully pulling off a heist, I'd have to maneuver my way around amateurs. Not the best way to do it. So I should go today during one of the tours they have going and steal it then. I'll need Jethro and Andy to cut of power to the cameras and tell me which wires to pull and all that crap, but I can do it today. Quick and easy. No mess, just thievery,"

He stared at me, "You just came up with that, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah. But it's going to work. You know it."

He nodded, "That's why I'm going to let you do it,"

I grinned, "Perfect. I'll see you later tonight then, with the diamond,"