I clench my jaw, feeling achy like I’m going down with flu. I shove my sweaty hair behind my ears and bite my cheek to force myself to concentrate.
Nothing must distract me now.
My gaze zooms in on the combination lock. My fingers itch to start working on the dial, but I hold myself back.
I have two security measures to get through first, and the moment that I start breaking them, an alert will be sent to the security Betas, even if they’re rocking out at the concert.
Suddenly, I freeze.
My eyes widen in fear.
Was that a noise outside in the lounge? A footfall?
Is it Dad? Papa?
I can’t risk calling out in case it is Maya or Ellington returning early.
I flatten myself against the safe, taking fast breaths in the dark. The moonlight feels frighteningly bright now, as it spotlights me from the skylight above.
I struggle to quieten my breathing and strain to listen.
Silence.
I can’t wait any longer, even if someone is outside.
I only have one shot at this. A single window of opportunity.
First is Maya’s fingerprint. I hope that Ms. Fields got this right.
Only one way to find out.
Trembling, I bend to the bag at my feet and pull out the glove with Maya’s fingerprint fitted on one finger.
I have no idea whether this will work.
I may be the expert in safe cracking, but Hatton has turned out to be the criminal gadget guy.
We’re a family of pretty crooks.
I couldn’t be prouder.
I am intently focused now like I always am when I work on the safe. My world is narrowed to this beautiful metal beast. I will conquer it.
I rest my other hand gently on the safe, as if quietening a feral Alpha.
I slip on the glove, before raising my hand to the panel at the side of the safe, which Maya recently added.
Then I glance at my watch: The moment that my finger touches the scanner, the countdown begins.
I rock on my heels, hyper with the thrill of the upcoming challenge, waiting for it to tick over to12:21.
Three seconds…
Two…
One…
I press my gloved finger with the fake fingerprint to the scanner.
