Eames could only shrug his shoulders in response, his face betraying none of what was currently running through his head. There were days he wished he could have changed the path heâd chosen, wished he hadnât needed to work so hard for attention that wasnât ever going to come from his parents. But what good would it do. What good would come from wishing his parents had given him more attention, had preferred him to climbing their sodding social ladder? None. Being a thief was what he was. Heâd come to accept it quite a long time ago. There were just some days when heâd wished that the life heâd lead had been a little closer to normal, that heâd been able to keep the family heâd lost, and that he wouldnât have to spend so much time away from those he cared about. Oh the joys of being a criminal he mused, studying the woman across the way. She knew, just like he did, their lives were what they were and nothing would truly change it.
"Maybe, maybe not," he teased, giving her the barest hint of a smile. âOr maybe I just know when to be an utter bastard and when not tâbe. Shall leave it up tâyou to decide which." Honour or not, he did know that sometimes you had to be a bit more understanding and not just throw every bloody thing back into a personâs face. Otherwise he would end up with far more enemies than he had now. And really, he would have preferred to have more associates in the business not enemies. One was worth more than the other, and the other he tended to pick up far too quickly. âAlways a good thing to know, considering Iâm rather fond of being alive, and breathing, and all my organs," he told her, his smirk changing into an odd sort of grin. Jenn was definitely someone he could see himself getting into all sorts of trouble with. She understood his teasing, and the nature of the job. And she seemed to encourage certain things. All in all the perfect kind of friend to have.
Then again, he may need to reassess his opinion of her. âOh lord no," he said, his amusement quickly replaced with a look of annoyance. The last thing he wanted was for someone to just hang off his words. He had enough of that when he had to really put on the charm, he didnât want it when he was just sitting around with mates. âGet enough of that when I actually have to put it tâgood use. Would rather you not fake it. At least not for me." If they happened to come across someone in the casino who had a similar accent? Then he would make the suggestion she do so. If only so he could relieve them of whatever goods they may have been keeping in clothing. Until that time, though, he just wanted her to enjoy him for him, not for his charms. If such a thing was actually possible.
Leaning back in his chair, he listened as the other shared the answer to his question. He figured what better way to learn about the other than by sharing odd stories. Though, Eames never would have expected that to be her story. He knew it was the truth. Heâd been able to pick up the subtle cues that told him she wasnât lying, that it had actually happened, and he was biting his tongue in an attempt to keep himself from laughing. âYouâre taking the piss," he said, finally allowing the laughter to come forth. âSeriously, though, that â how am I supposed to top that, hmm? I mean Iâve done some crazy shit in my life, but nothing in comparison to that." Though there was always the tale of the jump drive, the numerous sex tapes it contained and how his job when from procuring information to making certain that they had all of them so that it could, in turn, be used against both parties.
"Aâright I got one. A jump drive," he explained as he held up his hands. âI know, but just wait. It is the oddest thing Iâve nicked to date." Eames hadnât really shared this particular story with anyone, knowing they would most likely judge him far more than they already did. But Jenn had no idea who he was. Just some random stranger sheâd texted one night. It was perfect really. âWas hired to nick this particular jump drive because it was supposed to have some sort of plans that my client wanted. Never told me what was one it. Just that I needed to retrieve it for them before a certain date otherwise it would be useless. Canât really turn down a pay day like they were offering so I said sure, why not." He shrugged his shoulders. Really, how could one pass up a relatively easy job like what they had offered. How was he to know at the time that it wasnât exactly what theyâd been promising. He was a thief and if it was presented to him, he would steal it. No ifs ands or buts.
"So, worked my way into the markâs life, found the perfect time to nick the bloody thing," he continued to explain, sipping bits of his drink in between pauses. âGet back to mâhotel, and curiosity got the better of me. Plugged it into my laptop and opened up the first file I found. Let me tell you I got the shock of my life, and Iâve seen a great deal of stuff over the years." Eames could still recall that night with perfect clarity. It was one he wished he could just forget. Especially the images from the drive. âCalled up the client, asked just what it was they were after. They said plans. I kindly informed them that what I had wasnât plans, but more like their mark fucking the CEO of the rival company and wondered if I should go back for said plans. Never heard quite that long a silence in my life, but they said theyâd take that and even pay me a bit extra for it." That had definitely been one of his better pay days to say the least. âDonât know if it tops yours, but gotta admit itâs a bit strange and a little humorous."
