Chapter Text
Nile already hated this mission, which at this point, was only 45 minutes old.
"Please give me one good reason," Nile protested. "Why is it me who has to sacrifice one of my vintage dresses when Nicky got a whole wardrobe?"
"Because, I guess," Booker replied. "We all have to make sacrifices at times."
Nile glared daggers at Booker, who disappeared behind the laptop just as quickly as he had popped his head up.
"Listen, Nile," Joe said. "Our target likes women wearing sequin dresses, and you're the only one who has those dresses since Nicky prefers silk. And then there is also the thing that our target has a thing for dark-skinned women."
Nile rubbed her temples.
"Let me get this straight. Not alone am I to sacrifice one of my vintage dresses; you also want me to be the decoy?" Nile asked. "Don't dare say a thing, Booker?"
Booker ducked his head again without saying anything. Instead, he pressed the laptop's keyboard really loud as a reply.
"We can't put Andy in a dress; we all know how that went the last time," Joe said. "And we'll pay you compensation for the dress."
"Hmmm," Nile replied. "What kind of compensation are we talking about?"
Joe held up a pink diamond ring.
"Wait," Booker said. "Isn't that the ring a Russian princess once offered you for a night in her bedroom?"
"Incredible you can remember that when you can't remember anything else from that night," Joe replied. "And before you ask, I didn't sleep with the princess; I'm a married man. She gave me the ring as a payment for faking her death so she could avoid an arranged marriage to an old man. Something you helped me with."
"I did?" Booker asked. "And what payment did I get for doing my part of that job?"
"Beats me," Joe replied. "So, Nile, what do you say? A dress for a diamond. I know you can buy a lot of new dresses for it."
"Fine, you got yourself a deal," Nile replied. "But I want the ring now so I can wear it tonight."
Joe gave Nile the ring.
"I'll get the dress," Nile said. "When are Andy and Nicky back?"
"Within an hour," Joe replied. "And Nile. It has to be a dress with a lot of sequins on it."
"Think disco balls," Booker joked. "A really big one."
For that remark, Nile slapped Booker's nape before leaving the kitchen.
"It's still a mystery to me," Joe said. "Why women are still talking with you."
"It's all part of my French charme," Booker replied. It made Joe roll his eyes. "About that Russian princess. What was my payment?"
"I don't know," Joe replied. "Instead of thinking of that, you should use your time making sure of that Nile's story tonight is airtight. And that we don't lose the escape car again."
"One time it happened, and I still have to hear about it," Booker replied. "For the last time, it wasn't my fault that some car thief stole that car and went on a joyride."
Joe placed a hand on Booker's shoulder.
"I know, my friend," Joe said. "I'll check on the weapons. Call when the others are back."
Booker nodded.
"Joe?" Booker asked. "What was my payment for that job?"
"Concentrate on the mission in front of you," Joe replied. "And not one that is over."
"Seriously?" Booker asked. "I can see it on your face that you know it."
"If you don't lose the escape car this time," Joe replied. "I might tell you once this mission is over."
Joe left the kitchen laughing, which annoyed Booker even more.