One thing I was certain of was that my boyfriend knew about the people we were living with the whole time, and it made my blood boil. How dare he get me involved with such people? Why would he want this for us? Why couldn’t he get a normal job like other people?
I was aware he’d kept it from me because he knew I’d never be okay with traveling across the country if I knew we were staying with such dangerous people. Whatever he was doing couldn’t have been good, and I was at my wit’s end to figure it out.
Brant probably wouldn’t have told me on his own, but I continued drilling him, and prying when no one thought I was listening. Each night I’d take what I learned and push him to tell me the truth.
Finally, after threatening to leave, he came clean. “If I tell you, you have to swear you won’t say anything.”
“Who am I going to tell?”
“Rocky has an underground digital theft ring.”
He made it sound important. “What? You’re making no sense.”
“Hear me out. He’s got this programmer who makes devices small enough to hide from the naked eye. Each time we go into a casino or gas station, his tiny devices are put on or near the ATM machines. From there it takes a photo each time someone approaches and sends a transmission to his internal server enabling them to record the card numbers and use them fraudulently. Each transaction is small and hard to detect. Until the card is cancelled for being compromised, the funds continue to be deducted without the person’s knowledge. It seems like he wouldn’t do well, but imagine thousands of cards per day. Once they’re in the system they continue to withdrawal until they are no longer active. He’s banking millions of dollars, Cass. That’s why he has such nice things.”
“What?” I was in shock. “He’s involved in bank fraud?” I knew it was a lot bigger than I’d feared. They weren’t petty criminals at all. “Why did they have me stealing from people at the casinos? How could you bring me here to be around these people?”
“They’re building you up. They have to be able to trust you before they let you in on the program. Since you’ve never committed a crime they have nothing to base the trust on, and let’s face it, with my record your lucky I was able to bring you with me at all.”
“How many people involved are we talking about? How long has this been going on?” I inquired. “This is beyond screwed up.”
Brant turned up the volume on some music playing and brought his lips up to my ear. “You have to stay calm, Cass.”
I shoved him away from me. “No! You’re crazy if you think I’m staying here for another minute. Those types of crimes are traceable. I’m not going to prison for sharing a house with someone.”
“Trust me, he’s covered his tracks. The funds are filtered through international accounts and then transferred back into the states under a dummy account. The dummy system pays it’s employees. It pays taxes and runs without suspicion. It’s legit.”
I ran my hands through my hair and paced around our room. “We can’t stay here. What have you gotten me involved in, Brant?”
“Nothing! You’re not involved, and that’s why I didn’t tell you about it sooner. The less you know the more protected you are.”
“I want to leave,” I reiterated.
“We can’t yet, Cass. I was hired for a job, and I’m obligated to stay until it gets done.”
“Then I’ll go and stay somewhere else without you. I can’t be here. I know you think I can handle myself, but this is bullshit. I miss my family, and they’d never approve of this. Please, if you love me you’ll let me go home, even if it’s for a visit.”
He reached over and ran his hand over my cheek. “If you leave you won’t come back. I’m not a fool. They’ll never let you come back to me.”
I could see the fear in his eyes, the pain of me leaving and never coming back again. Sure, Brant had lied to me, but his love never failed. The idea of him being around these big-time crooks made me nervous. “How did you even get involved with these people, Brant? They’re dangerous.”
“I knew someone, who worked for them in the past. Rocky doesn’t like keeping the same employees, just in case they’re working undercover to bust him. He let’s you in, teaches you what you need to know, and then uses you one time to change out and add new devices. He doesn’t even tell you when it’s happening, just in case you were to call and report him. Everything is done without notice. That’s why I’m trying to wait it out. We’re not in danger, baby. I’m going to do the job and get paid. Then we’ll take the ten grand I make and get started someplace better.”
It sounded a lot easier than I knew it would be. Still, I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I love you and I don’t want to leave you here. I’m just afraid. This could put you in jail. I could go as an accomplice.”
“That’s why I wanted to keep you occupied and out of the spotlight, Cass. Now do you understand? Do you see how important it is to stay out of the business?”
“Why did you let me steal?”
“I thought if you felt like you were a part of things you’d back off. You’re going to keep me on the straight and narrow once we’re out of here. This is one last stint and then we’re off to a better life. Have I ever let you down before?”
I hated to admit it, but he hadn’t. He’d always been there for me no matter how small the challenge. His love was true and forever. It was something I could always count on, even when I was steaming mad, I knew it would never fail. “No.”
He cupped my face and stared into my eyes. “Don’t tell anyone about what I told you. Nothing bad will happen if I stick to the plan and get the job done. This is for us, or else I wouldn’t be doing it.”
I felt annoyed. “Let me guess, he’s got other people doing the dirty work just in case you were to get caught? Do you have any idea what you’re risking by getting involved with these people?”
“It’s not as bad as you’re making it. It’s smart business. Rocky has been doing this for a long time. People would jump on the opportunity he’s given me.”
“He’s a joke. I hate him. He’s creepy, and he stares at me all the time. What’s with the two of them? Are they a couple? Tammy seems to screw whoever she can find to drop their pants.”
“Obviously they’re swingers. They don’t talk to me about it.”
“Why would someone want to share the person they love? I guess I’m too jealous.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’d never share you. Stop thinking about them. Imagine it like we’re sharing a house with strangers. We don’t have to be their friends. Just be cordial and the time will go by quick. If you need to take the edge off just tell me and I’ll get you something.”
“Something, like drugs?”
He shrugged. “Whatever it takes. I won’t let you get hooked. It’s important you’re comfortable. I know you’re not happy.”
“I feel stuck in a situation I don’t want to be in. Put yourself in my shoes.”
“It’s for our future. How many times do I have to say it?”
His defensive attitude annoyed me. “Forget it. While you’re dabbling in danger every day, I’m going to go out and get a real job. I’m tired of staying in this house.”
“Maybe that’s a good idea.”
I was shocked he’d agreed, but didn’t question it. The less I had to be in the house the better. “Then it’s settled. If we’re staying for a while I’m getting a job. I promise to keep my mouth shut about your business venture, if you promise as soon as it’s over we’re out of here. I’m not screwing around either. One time is enough, Brant.”
The idea of him stealing for our future still didn’t sit right with me, and I knew my parents would never be able to understand. Brant may not have been forthcoming about our future, but I believed he had our best interest at heart.