* * * *
Ginny’s mind spun, but she had to focus. The second Theo had departed, she moved toward his computer and read all the data from the queen. Her stomach turned queasy, but she forced herself to read the Realm notes. They were in line with what she’d already learned by research and by living with the damn anklet for the past ten years.
It had already killed her.
Well, if she didn’t mate. She’d meant it when she’d said yes to Theo.
Could they make it work? Maybe if they ever actually made it to bed, they had a chance. She grinned and closed the computer file. Another one caught her eye, and she didn’t hesitate to click on it.
Oh, she’d been studying Saul Libscombe for a decade, so she didn’t expect to find many revelations in Theo’s compilation. And yet, there was some new information there. “Look at that,” she breathed, taking note of a safety deposit box right there in the city, as well as some land holdings he had in Russia. Of course, Theo’s contacts in Russia were far better than hers. But how in the world had he found a safety deposit box she’d missed?
Squinting, she leaned forward and read the name of the bank. Oh. It was a Realm bank here in the city. No wonder she hadn’t found it. The Realm was notoriously secretive. And yet, vampires helped vampires. The king had obviously sent this file to Theo. The land didn’t interest her.
But the deposit box. Now that held promise.
Of course, she’d already known of several places Saul had stashed information and funds throughout the world, but she hadn’t been able to make a move because of the GPS in the anklet.
Saul would be busy with the Reese brothers tonight. If she was ever going to make a move against him, it would have to be tonight before everything went to hell. If Theo’s plan didn’t work, Saul would set off her anklet. Now was her one chance to get him. To maybe find leverage to use.
She chewed her thumbnail, thinking. It wasn’t like she’d vowed to stay in the apartment. No. Theo had just ordered her to stay, and he’d assumed she would. She’d never been a soldier, but she knew how to broker information. Breaking into a Realm bank was colossally crazy, and yet… Whatever Saul had secured there had to be good. He was a shifter, not a vampire. For a shifter to use a Realm bank, he must really want to keep something under wraps.
Reaching for her phone, she dialed up one of her many contacts.
“Phil’s Brewery,” said a chipper female voice.
“Hey, Sally. It’s Ginny,” she said evenly.
A series of clicks came over the line. Then, “Hey, girlfriend! It’s been so long since I’ve heard from you. What’s up?” Sally asked.
Ginny grinned. “So much I don’t have time to tell you right now, but we’ll catch up soon.” The thousand-year-old witch was one of her favorite people in life. Plus, she had skills. “I need the schematics for the Realm Bank in New York City.”
Sally tsked her tongue. “Are you crazy? Even you aren’t insane enough to rob Dage Kayrs.”
Ginny bit her lip. That was a damn good point. “I didn’t say I was robbing him. I just want the bank schematics.” It wasn’t like the king owned the box she was going to break into. “Besides, Dage is a friend.” Okay. Not her friend. But he was obviously close to Chalton.
“Then why not just ask him to let you into his bank?” Sally asked reasonably.
Ginny shut her eyes. “Because he might say no.” The guy probably had contracts with people who used the safety deposit boxes, right? “I don’t want to put him in a tough position.”
Sally laughed high and loud. “You are still so full of blarney. I have the schematics, but they’re going to cost you. A lot.”
Ginny sighed. “I’m sure. Email them to me, and I’ll send secured payment immediately.”
“Triple my usual price,” Sally said, her voice deepening with the pleasure of a good deal.
Ginny winced. “Fair enough. And if I get caught, I know the drill.” She had no clue where the schematics came from.
“All right, doll. Watch your email.” Sally clicked off.
Ginny waited for the beep and then sent almost her entire savings account across the world. If this worked, it’d be worth it. She stood and stretched. If Theo had the doors covered, she’d have to figure another way out of the building.
She couldn’t help but smile as she got to work. If she did this right, she’d take down Saul, and she’d be home before Theo walked through the door.
What could possibly go wrong?
* * * *
Theo crouched down in the snow after taking out the guard nearest the back door. The drive to Saul’s had taken more than two hours because of the damn weather. A snowstorm barreled around Theo, turning the world white and hard to see. He stepped over the unconscious shifter guard and moved silently for the window to the east. Libscombe’s New York home was on two acres in the middle of a high-end subdivision complete with gate, guardhouse, and patrolling security teams.
