Piper raises his pierced brow, as if to say that if he’s an Omega kettle, then I’m the pot.
I narrow my eyes. “What were you trying to steal?”
Then it hits me: The priceless Frost diamonds, of course.
Conflicted, I am filled with both admiration at the Idols’ scheme and fear that they only courted Icarus and me to cover their theft.
I lied to the Idols. How can I be angry that they lied to me?
“I don’t have time for this.” I shove away from Piper. “I have only six minutes now to break into the safe.”
“Want some help with that, Gracie?” Piper asks brightly like I haven’t just caught him out.
Shameless.
“No thanks, Wolfie. Just get out of my way and watch me work. I got here first; I call dibs. Isn’t there meant to be honor amongst thieves?”
Piper leans against the wall. “I should have guessed that this is what was going down. Wings and you aren’t as subtle at hiding your scheming as you think, you know. We just couldn’t work out the details.”
“Who are you?” I hiss.
Piper tilts his head. “Short version: I work with Lion and Zero for an illegal unit that protects abused Omegas. The government will execute me, just like they did my parents, if they catch me. Our plan was to steal the evidence of the abuses andcreativeaccounts that prove the Frosts are guilty of tax evasion. Then free you, your brother, and the other Hotel Omegas.”
“You’re not after the diamonds.”
I stare at him in shock.
Piper is an outlaw but one who has been working with the rest of his pack to save the Hotel Omegas.
He was here to free me.
I don’t have time to process the fact that there truly are gangs of Merry Men out there fighting for Omega rights. I thought that I was alone. The hotel feels like a world apart from Haven. I have been surrounded only by Traditional packs. But here is a liberalwho has broken into my world and is trying to break us all out from it.
While Icarus and I have been trying to protect our new pack, the Idols have been doing the same right back.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Piper, however, laughs. “You think that I look like a diamond thief…? Well, maybe in this suit and mask. Wait, are you here for the diamonds?”
“Short version: I am also an Omega safe cracker here to steal my family’s rightful shares and my dad’s bond ring — the Frost diamonds. I will use the money to take over the hotel.”
Piper blinks. “Your plan is better. How can I help?”
“Keep lookout.”
Piper salutes me. “Good luck.”
He darts toward the door of the office.
Then I stare at my watch in horror:12: 22.
Only five minutes left.
“Give me one minute countdowns starting from five minutes.” My voice is tight.
Piper nods.
I have never cracked the safe in that short a time before.
