Title: Besties in Crime

Author: Rob Loveless

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 02/24/2026

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: No Romance

Length: 252

Genre: Contemporary, Genre/lit, crime/thriller, comedy, best friends, mafia, robbery, divorce, on the run, Atlantic City

Add to Goodreads

Description

Childhood best friends Jay and Gia haven’t spoken since Gia’s marriage drove them apart, until one tearful night when she shows up at Jay’s door with devastating news: her husband, Frank, is leaving her. Rekindling their bond over heartbreak and bad decisions, the pair hatch a reckless plan for a weekend escape to Atlantic City, funded by some “borrowed” cash from Frank’s home office.

But when the house goes up in flames, and Frank is found dead in the wreckage, their impulsive getaway turns into a full-blown manhunt.

Before Jay and Gia can clear their names, they’re caught in a dire twist of fate when mobsters kidnap them, claiming Frank owed them money. Soon, the former besties are swept into a chaotic whirlwind of car chases, gunfights, bank robberies, and…burlesque shows? But as they scramble to outsmart the crooks, one question remains: will the FBI find this ridiculous mix-up as humorous as their quick-witted candor?

Excerpt

Besties in Crime
Rob Loveless © 2026
All Rights Reserved

After their half-assed whirlwind heist, Jay and Gia had finally been caught and detained in a musty abandoned warehouse, with six somber-looking men staring them down. The two friends were trapped, tied up to rickety chairs side by side. Fear and adrenaline surged through their frail, weary bodies as they pleaded for their lives.

“Frank took me off the joint account,” Gia explained.

“Which is why we robbed him,” Jay said.

“How much did you get?” one of the henchmen asked.

“About two thousand dollars,” Gia replied.

The boss heaved a sigh and shook his head. “Fucking pennies.”

“What are we gonna do, Boss?” the minion wondered. The boss signaled to his other goons, and they huddled together to discuss their predicament.

Gia took advantage of their lapse of attention and leaned toward Jay. “I think I have an idea to get out of here. But you can’t get all panicky on me.”

“Gia, are you sure? These guys are armed. And if we make one mistake, just one—”

“I just told you not to be panicky,” she replied, cutting him off before nodding to the left. “You see that machine over there?”

Jay glanced over and eyed a large, rusted lathe several feet away. “Yeah.”

“If I distract them, would you be able to take cover behind it?”

“But how—?”

“No time for questions. Just tell me if you can.”

Jay took another look at the decrepit piece of equipment. At that distance, he could probably hobble to it pretty quickly—at least as quickly as his restraints would allow. “I think I can.”

“Okay,” Gia whispered. “Then do it on my signal.”

“What’s the signal?”

“Trust me, you’ll know.”

Jay gulped as a light sweat broke out on his forehead. Even though Gia was his best friend, he didn’t exactly trust her with his life right now.

“All right,” the boss said as he clapped his hands together and turned around to face them. “We’ve got a solution.”

“Why do I not feel comforted by that?” Jay whispered to Gia.

“Under the circumstances, the bank will give you access to the account as long as you go to the branch you opened it at,” he continued.

“That’s three hundred fifty grand,” the lead henchmen said.

“And how are we supposed to get you the remaining hundred thousand?” Gia asked.

The boss shrugged. “Don’t you two have savings accounts?”

“Clearly you never had student loans,” Jay replied.

“Look, I don’t care how you do it. Just get me the fucking money. Today.”

“Today!” Gia exclaimed. “What time is it?”

“A little after eleven,” the minion replied.

“Most of the banks close by one!” Jay said.

“Again, that’s your problem to fix,” the boss said. “The sooner I get my money the sooner we can leave all this behind us.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Meet the Author

Rob Loveless is a corporate communications professional, and currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA. He has been an avid reader and writer from a young age, being influenced by authors like Dan Brown. When he’s not working or writing, Rob enjoys being active, exploring what the Steel City has to offer, and traveling.

X | Instagram