But Maya controlled everything. One day, I would free them from this safe.
It would be the first mission for the Merry Men.
“I’ll get them back for you, Daddy,” I swore.
“Will you?” Dad gave me a sharp look, rapping his fingers on the front of the safe. “One of your ancestors in the 1920s was a notorious safe cracker turned safe engineer. He became the most famous in America because he knew the tricks to break in and so could make the strongest to keep others out. Safe cracking was seen as glamorous in the 1920s, when this hotel was built. There were even contests to see who could be the fastest.”
My fingers twitched, as my eyes widened in excitement. “Can I learn like that Alpha?”
Dad leaned down; his eyes glistened with a rare type of roguishness for him.
He appeared more alive than I had seen him before. It made my heart beat fast.
Dad’s lip turned up at the side. “Who said that he was an Alpha?”
“AnOmega?” The realization that Omegas could not only be famous engineers but truly could be famous criminals was like being struck with lightning.
My entire life before felt like it was in shadows, only half lived. Now, the world was lit around me and would never be the same.
Dad nodded. “The secret that Alphas in recent years would like us to forget is that Omegas are not only equal to them butbetterat some skills. Omegas are savants at safe cracking because they can sense vibrations best. Alphas would always take an Omega on bank heists.” He jerked his head at the safe. “Want to give it a try? But this would have to be strictly between you and me. When the others are out, you can practice.”
Bird manages to escape from underneath Zoe, glancing at the stethoscope. “Only your dad would choose to send you this as the one item that he could rescue out of everything.”
I chuckle. “That’s because he knows me so well. My happiest times were snuggled on his lap, while he broke every household rule to whisper to me about outlaw Omegas who both designed and cracked safes. I would stand on a chair for hours learning how to not only crack the combination lock but also, how to beat my fastest time, while he held a stopwatch. Father and daughter bonding experiences, huh?”
“Mom thinks that she has Cooper tamed but she has no idea who he really is.”
I ball my fists. “She’s never understood any of us. Working on those safes with Dad made me feel safe in a world that was…”
I break off, glancing at Zoe who is sniffing happily at Icarus’ tie.
“Notsafe. I miss both Dad and Papa.” Bird picks Zoe up and places her on his lap. My heart aches; I miss them too. “Is this you giving me permission to become the disreputable uncle who passes on the same traditions to my niece?”
“You’re already the disreputable uncle. And somehow, I don’t think that you’ll need to.” I laugh, as Zoe slaps the tie into Bird’s face.
“Dada,” she declares.
“Did she just say…?” Bird blinks, before appeasing the toddler tyrant by sniffing the tie.
My mind is still frozen that Zoe has smelled Icarus in the nest and named the scentDada.
If she calls Icarus that to his face, what will he do?
Bird catches my eye. “He could be her dad, you know. The baby knows best.”
I shake my head. I can’t talk about that now.
It hurts too much.
“I just wish that we could give her a proper Christmas, you know?” I say, gripped with guilt.
“What are you talking about? Chris is baking sugar-free gingerbread. Zoe has snow outside to play in. As far as she knows, a hundred of her loving family are around her. I’m planning a ton of Christmas games. And a certain Santa Claus who looks really like an Alpha we both know is bringing her a toy.”
I brighten.
Bird cups my cheek. “Zoe is lucky to have you as a mom. Take it from someone who grew up with a mom who cared about wealth and not love. I’m lucky to have you as a sis.”
“Only as lucky as I am to have you as my bro.”
