Chapter Text
The Phoenix War Room...
Another day, another mission for the team to handle at the Phoenix. Usually when there’s a mission, Mac goes with Riley and co to wherever their mission is but today was different. Today, Mac was sitting this one out, as he was focusing on testing and fixing any faulty equipment in the Phoenix Science Lab. Today it will just be Riley, Bozer, Leanna and Russ handling the mission, with Matty providing assistance in the Phoenix War Room. The mission is taking them to a high stakes casino in Paris and performing a heist. The team have done this sort of thing before in the past and it was kinda similar here again, as the team had to retrieve a bag of high value diamonds that were planned on being used in a exchange for a arsenal of weapons. The intel that the team had, told them that the exchange was happening between the casino’s owner and a corrupt businessman from Russia. The Russian businessman had a supply of weapons for sale but the only thing he wanted was diamonds, diamonds that the casino owner had. The team went through text exchanges between the two, informing them that if the casino owner didn’t have the diamonds, the deal was off and the businessman will be in Paris in 3 days to collect the diamonds and hand over a arsenal of weapons that the casino owner wanted. That gives the team 3 days before the deal goes down to retrieve the diamonds and they had to do the mission without Mac.
“Ok, the casino owner is named Owen Parker. Parker owns a high stakes casino in Paris. The business seems legit but secretly, Parker arranges deals for all sorts of things, behind the scenes. We know he has a high stakes poker room on the highest floor, where very wealthy men and women play for big amounts of money. Only those who win a lot on the lower floors gain access to that room and the diamonds are being kept in Parker’s safe, which is in his office next door.” Matty informs them.
“So the plan is this; the 4 of us will be attempting to win on the lower floors, using my money. If we win big, that should hopefully gives us access to the high stakes room. Once inside, we continue to play but eventually, Riley and Leanna will make a excuse to leave without causing a suspicion. While me and Bozer continue to play in the poker game, the two of you will attempt to break into the safe and retrieve the diamonds. Once retrieved, you inform us on the comms and we make our leave, resulting in stopping the deal going down in three days.” Russ tells them.
“And I’m guessing the higher floor has armed security and full of cameras ?” Leanna guesses.
“Yes, but Riley here will hack into the cameras when you arrive at the casino. You’ll have to mess with the footage and change it when you and Leanna leave the high stakes room. That way, everything looks alright and clear for the security of the casino to see, so their cameras won’t spot you while you sneak to the office. The armed security however, that’s more of your line of work, Leanna.” Matty tells them, which Riley and Leanna nod to, as they know what they need to do. Riley hacks the security, while Leanna beats the crap out of the armed security quietly.
“Ok, we know what needs to be done. We have a jet ready, wheels up in 5.” Matty says.
During the flight to Paris...
Riley is sitting alone by herself, staring outside of the window. She finds it a bit weird that Mac isn’t with them for this mission but she understands that Mac is busy doing other work at the Phoenix. Hell, she along with Bozer and Leanna had to steal a necklace a few years ago, which involved Riley and Leanna pretending to be Bozer’s models and Mac wasn’t there for that, so doing this mission without him should be ok for her and the others to handle. Riley also hopes that the mission won’t take multiple days to do, as her and Mac’s one year anniversary is in 2 days and she definitely doesn’t want to miss that. She eventually gets a text notification from Mac on her phone.
“Sorry I couldn’t be with you and the others for the mission but I know that you and the team will be fine without me. You got this, Riles.” The text read. Riley smiles and texts back “Thanks babe.”
At the casino in Paris...
Riley, Bozer, Leanna and Russ enter the casino, wearing fancy clothes that makes the other players at the casino suggest that they got big money to spend. Riley stuns some players with her looks, as she is wearing a green dress, red lipstick and black heels. If Mac could see her now...
Leanna is wearing a black dress with pink lipstick and black heels, while Bozer wears a black suit and Russ wearing his white tuxedo. As they look around, Riley hacks into the cameras and has the footage ready to be swapped but she obviously waits until they make it to the high stakes room upstairs.
“Ok, we have to win big here. Luckily, I have loads of money to spend.” Russ whispers.
“Seriously Russ, how much money do you have ?” Bozer asks.
“Patience, Young Padawan. All in due time.” Russ says with a smile, heading towards a table to start playing.
“Oh, he did not just quote Star Wars at me ! Young Padawan my ass. I’m more like a Jedi Knight !” Bozer says, bringing a smile to Riley and Leanna’s faces.
All of 4 them play big together, with Russ making the most for the team, as his performance suggests he knows what’s he doing. The team winning big is spread throughout the lower floors, bringing attention which is exactly what the team wants. Parker has a right hand guy who watches players on the lower floors, to see who wins big and are worthy to play at the high stakes room. With the team winning big, Parker’s right hand guy calls him through comms and informs him of the group winning big.
“Invite them up.” Parker tells the guy.
“Yes sir.” The guy says.
Parker’s right hand guy heads over to where the group is. He complements them on winning asks them how they feel about playing even bigger, with higher stakes. The team already know what he means but they play along, pretending to be curious. He informs them of the high stakes room and says that his boss has generously offered them a seat at the high stakes room upstairs. The group gladly accept the invitation and follow the guy upstairs.
The team enter the high stakes room but they notice the office room and 2 big security guards standing outside of it, before they enter.
All 4 of them sit down, with Parker and two other guests siting opposite them at the poker table.
“Welcome. My guy tells me you won big downstairs but that’s more like child’s play. Up here is where the real adults play to win. You lot interested ?” Parker asks them.
“We gladly accept. We all love a challenge.” Russ says with a smirk.
“Ok guys, you’re in. Riley and Leanna; continue to play for 30 minutes before making a excuse to leave.” Matty says over the comms.
The group continues to play until 30 minutes, where Riley and Leanna make their move.
“Sorry to interrupt but I need to use the ladies room.” Riley says.
“So do I.” Leanna adds.
“Down the hall when you leave and then head left.” Parker says
“Thank you.” Riley and Leanna say. The girls leave while Russ and Bozer continue to play and head straight towards the bathroom. They enter, with Leanna checking if the room is clear so no one else is in there with them.
“Ready ?” Riley asks.
“Ready.” Leanna replies. Riley brings out her phone and changes the footage so the cameras outside won’t spot them.
“It’s done, now just the guards. You’re up.” Riley tells Leanna, who cracks a smile. Leanna is going to enjoy this next bit.
Riley opens the bathroom door and asks for help, claiming her friend just collapsed. The guards head into the room, only for Leanna to surprise attack them and knock them both out with a few hits.
“Nice.” Riley complements Leanna, giving her a fist bump to which Leanna accepts. They head to the office and enter. The safe is encrypted with a high security software but this will just be a piece of cake for Riley. She’s hacked harder things and pulled it off beautifully with success. She hacks the software and opens the safe, with Leanna grabbing the bag of diamonds. She checks inside the bag to see if it’s them and it is.
“Guys, we got the diamonds. Heading your way, over.” Leanna says over the comms. Russ and Bozer acknowledge Leanna and make another excuse to Parker and the 2 other guests.
“Sorry but I just remembered. We own a very successful car dealership and we need to make a quick call to a client of ours. Please excuse us for just a moment.” Russ tells Parker. Parker isn’t at all suspicious and says they can leave. Russ and Bozer exit the room and join Riley and Leanna in leaving the casino. They head downstairs, dodging any security on the lower floors and successfully leave the casino. They head into a black SUV and leave the area, heading straight for the plane. Matty congratulates them as they head there. All in a days work for the team.
Later that evening at the Phoenix Science Lab...
Mac is sitting down at a table, fiddling with equipment to see what is broken and see if can do his thing to fix it. Riley enters the room, greeting him.
“Hey !” She says.
“Hey.” Mac replies, with them sharing a kiss on the lips immediately afterwards.
“Matty said the mission was a success. I knew you could and the team could do it without me.” Mac says, praising Riley.
“Yeah, but you know that we love you improvising during missions. It ain’t the same without you, babe.” Riley says. Mac smiles at her response, thanking her for saying that.
“Anyway, you nearly done here ?” Riley asks.
“Almost done. I just got 1 or 2 more things to go over. I’ll meet you in the War Room later, ok ?” Mac says. Riley nods and heads straight for the exit, only to stop midway and turn around, facing Mac again.
“Oh, hey ! Don’t forget, our one year anniversary is in 2 days. I’m looking forward to it.” Riley says in full excitement.
“I wouldn’t dare forget that.” Mac replies. The two continue to smile at each other before Riley exits the room, with Matty entering after her. The two look straight at the direction that Riley was walking towards, to make sure she isn’t around so she can hear them. Matty turns to face Mac and walks over to him.
“Did you get it ?” Matty asks him.
“Yep.” Mac replies.
“Can I see it ?” Matty asks him once again, to which Mac puts his hand into his right pocket and brings out a small box and gives it to Matty, who opens it. Inside is a engagement ring, with a shiny blue stone in the middle of it.
“It’s beautiful Mac.” Matty says while holding the box in her hands and looking at Mac after seeing it before her eyes.
“Yep, it does. It will look even more beautiful on Riley’s finger after I ask her to marry me.” Mac tells her, with a big smile on his face.
Continued in the next chapter.