Instead, I skirt the circular white couch, which is littered with gold cushions. I stumble, however, when I notice that a knitted Santa has been abandoned on the couch next to knitting needles like it was hurriedly finished.
Papa loves knitting. It’s one of the few approved activities by Maya for him.
He knitted a Santa for each of us kids every Christmas, since he has no money of his own to buy us gifts.
Next to the knitted toy, a book rests with the spine bent wide in the way that Dad always leaves novels if he forgets his bookmark.
I can imagine Dad and Papa like ghosts quietly sitting together. I am certain that the two men have grown to deeply love each other.
I hoped that they may be here tonight. But has Mum locked them in their rooms? If I’m caught, and Dad takes the fall, will they ever sit here like this again?
I don’t have time to check where they are.
With a steely self-control, I don’t head for the bedrooms. I am desperate to say goodbye to Dad.
Just in case…
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.
I won’t crash into the sea.I will fucking fly.
Skirting the couch, I head to Maya’s forbidden study. It fills me with a vicious delight to shove her door boldly open.
I head with a renewed determination past Maya’s oak desk and leather chair to the wall of books at the back.
I have been training for this my entire life.
I stare at the book that started this entire quest for me. It has a spine in swirling colors:The Book of ABO Secrets.
This is it.
I drop the bag onto the floor, before pulling out the book.
The entire wall swings open, revealing a giant vault.
Eagerness floods through me like it always does at the sight of this beautiful work of art in iron and gold with a giant wheel in the middle.
This is a testament to the talent of Ryan’s ancestor in the 1920s: The notorious safe cracker turned safe engineer. Also, an Omega who was the most famous criminal in America.
I want to make him proud.
I want to make my dad proud.
All the times that I practiced on the safe, Dad still never allowed me to look through what was inside. Perhaps, he thought that it would be too much of a temptation.
Except, now I finally know that I am going to complete my mission to take back the shares to the hotel and Ryan’s bond ring, the Frost’s famous 40 c diamond.
It’s twenty minutes past midnight.
Only ten minutes to complete the entire mission and get out of here.
In the midst of Christmas, I am gambling that Maya won’t look inside this safe for one day at least.
Why would she?
Who does she think is brave enough to stand against her? Who would she believe capable of breaking into a safe with these types of security measures?
You should never underestimate an Omega.
