“Okay. I’ll go eat with my brothers.” He kissed her loudly on the cheek. “Just rest, babykins.”
Babykins? Seriously? Talk about overplaying the role. The vampire sucked at acting. She shook her head and shoved him in the gut. “Thank you so much, Theo. I do trust you to protect me.” Her voice went breathy and weak.
“Jesus,” he mouthed. “Stay here. I’ll be back with a plan.” Turning her, he smacked her ass. She whirled back around, but he was already out the door.
She sat down, kicking her heels. After about five minutes, she started creating escape plans from the room. Those vents were truly a gift for somebody like her. Keeping as quiet as she could, trying to make Saul think she was taking a nap or crying or something, she lifted the bedside table toward the door and the vent.
Theo walked in. He took one look at her and spread his arms out in a “what the hell?” movement.
She bit back a grin and pointed to the vents and obvious escape route.
He sighed, shaking his head. Then he handed over a piece of paper.
SAUL’S FLASH DRIVE HELD PLANS TO INFILTRATE REALM HEADQUARTERS AND TAKE BRENNA DUNNE-KAYRS. SHE’S A WITCH, AND HE PLANNED TO PUT AN ANKLET ON HER. SINCE SHE’S ON THE RULING BODY OF WITCHES, HE HAD BIG PLANS TO TAKE OVER. THE WITCHES ARE IN FLUX RIGHT NOW, AS YOU KNOW.
Ginny read, her mind spinning. Wasn’t Brenna pregnant? What would an anklet like that do to a pregnant witch? Ginny’s stomach rolled, and bile rose in her throat. She swallowed rapidly.
Theo handed her another piece of paper, and she read, trying not to crinkle it or make any noise.
THE PLAN TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT:
YOU AND I GET THE BENJAMIN FILE
WE TAKE IT AND THE FLASH DRIVE YOU STOLE TO THE MEET WITH SAUL. WE’LL PRETEND WE COULDN’T GET INTO HIS DOCUMENTS.
Ginny read the last line and shook her head, pointing at the script. Saul wouldn’t believe them. He couldn’t afford to. Theo calmly pointed at the next paragraph.
SAUL CAN’T AFFORD TO BELIEVE US. SO WE MOVE IN AND TAKE HIM, FORCING HIM TO GIVE UP THE CONTROLLER FOR THE ANKLET.
Ginny sighed. It was a nice plan and she hated to disagree. But it wouldn’t work. She motioned for a pen, and Theo handed one over, and she started to write:
THE MEET IS SET FOR OUTSIDE MARIO PIZZA’S BACK ENTRANCE. A CAR IS PICKING ME UP. I DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE THE MEET IS. I HAVE TO GO ALONE, BUT YOU CAN PUT A TRACKER ON ME. IT’S THE ONLY WAY.
It truly was the only way. Saul wouldn’t let his guard down if she had a vampire soldier with her. He’d already proven he was smarter than she’d feared.
She started writing again:
YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRUST ME THIS TIME.
Theo studied her, his eyes veiled. “I’ll be back in a few,” he mouthed, turning and shutting the door so he could probably speak with his brothers without being overheard by Saul.
She waited two minutes, looking at the closed door. Everything she’d ever wanted was on the other side, but she had to save her father. The flash drive she’d stolen had been cracked, and Saul would assume it had, so there really was no reason for her to return it. What he wanted she had stashed across town.
Glancing at the bed that had changed her life, she stood on the table and opened the vent. There was only one path to take here. God, she hoped Theo forgave her.
If she lived.
Chapter 15
A town car pulled up next to Ginny outside the pizza restaurant at exactly midnight. She opened the door and slid inside, grateful to be out of the snow. They drove through town, and the merry Christmas lights and decorations covered most surfaces in sparkle and spirit. She swallowed, her mind on Theo.
There had been so many things she’d wanted to say to him, but there hadn’t been time. And a stupid anklet broadcast her every sound. She really tried not to think about that.
The partition was up between her and the driver, so she settled back in the seat and watched the Christmas lights fly by. The car smelled like new leather.
They finally pulled up in front of a closed jewelry store. She stepped outside, noting the door was open. Glancing around, she couldn’t see anybody on the street. Was this some sort of odd trap? Steeling her shoulders, she moved gingerly through the heavy snow and strode inside the shop.
The lights came on, and the door shut behind her. “Saul,” she murmured.
