"Ms. Faulks?" Donovan's voice cuts through my reverie. "We should head back inside."
I turn. Force my expression neutral. My pulse races. My hands shake. I clasp them together to hide it.
"Of course."
As I follow him back toward the house, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. The flower bed looks perfectly ordinary in the fading light.
But I know better.
The mansion looms ahead. Every window blazing with light. A gilded cage I've been trapped in for too long.
But now there's hope. A countdown that means something other than doom.
Paul is coming.
I step back into the oppressive atmosphere of the house. The cold air. The watching eyes. The suffocating control.
But this time, I carry a secret.
I'm not alone.
TWENTY
Paul: Reconnaissance
The tensionin the room is palpable as I stand before the detailed holographic projection of the Faulks estate. One week. Just seven days until Vivianne is supposed to walk down the aisle and into a life of misery. My jaw clenches at the thought.
"Let's go over this one more time." Sam's steady voice cuts through my brooding. He gestures to the 3D map, zooming in on the main house. "The ceremony will take place here, in the grand ballroom."
I nod, my eyes tracing the unfamiliar layout. "It's likely the largest space on the property. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the east wall, ornate double doors to the south. Security will be tight, but they'll have to let their guard down somewhat to accommodate the influx of guests."
"That's our in. We'll have Delta team posing as catering staff, security personnel, and guests." Forest, the mountain of a man with piercing blue eyes, leans forward.
As if on cue, Mitzy steps forward. Her psychedelic rainbow pixie hair glows under the room's lights, matching her enthusiastic personality. She manipulates the holographic display with a few deft movements.
"Our bumblebee drones—" She pulls up a schematic of the tiny machines. "—will provide real-time surveillance. I'll keep a few with Vivianne to track her movements; the others can be used if needed to interfere with the estate's security systems. Wish I could use the RUFI on this op, but that's a no-go."
"Is that how you made contact with Vivianne?" I raise an eyebrow, impressed despite myself.
"Yes."
"RUFI?" Merlin asks.
"Robotic dogs." Mitzy answers as if robotic dogs are commonplace. "We've integrated them into our teams, but they're not good for this."
I glance at Merlin, catching the determined set of his jaw. I know what he's thinking, and it sends a spike of anxiety through me.
"Delta team will be arriving shortly for final planning." CJ clears his throat. "They're experts at these kinds of ops."
"I need to be part of the extraction team. I can't sit on the sidelines while you're rescuing Vivianne." The words burst out before I can contain them.
Sam and Forest exchange a look that sets my teeth on edge.
"That's not a good idea." Sam's voice is careful. "You're too easily recognizable. We have to assume Vivianne's father will have security there, specifically looking for you."
"But—" Anger flares in my chest.
"We understand your connection to Vivianne." Forest cuts in, voice firm. "But emotions cloud judgment."
