Celeste;
"The whole base is under coverage. I'll see if I can hack into the security system. In the meantime, don't do anything foolish." Judy's annoying voice buzzes from the comms.
"I'll be waiting," I lie.
Loud. Everywhere is fucking loud. The speakers threaten to blast my ears into deafness. Swaying bodies grind on my nerves.
I slip past sweaty bodies, masked faces, rich-ass colognes.
No one notices me beelining for the staircase leading to the main Giordano mansion.
Against Judy's instructions.
I'm walking straight into the lion's den, but the slim metal pressed to my thighs tamps down the fear in my blood.
I fight the urge to touch them. Instead, I adjust the slit of my red satin gown flowing to my dark red heels.
The clink of my heels is swallowed by the thick red rug curling up the staircase.
I take the left, casting one sweeping glance at the crowd below.
Clear.
No armed men.
Along the pillared hallway, I open my clutch and pluck out the folded vellum. "Damn. This resembles a blueprint." Judy is good.
Every path of the Giordano mansion is outlined. Not a single spot missing.
I tuck it away. The map is already etched in my head.
Greg's order was simple: 'Get in. Get it. Get out.'
Judy and the boys begged me not to go further. To ramp down the hatred and just do the job.
But it's because of that hatred Greg chose me.
He knows what I have against the Giordanos.
"Hey, hey, Poppy, do you copy?" Angelo buzzes.
"I hear you, idiot."
"Just confirming." I can practically see his grin.
"What?" I lower my tone, hyperaware I'm on enemy ground.
"All members of the Giordanos are downstairs. Search the marked rooms. Be swift." The playfulness is gone.
"Copied."
Before the line cuts—"Judy?"
"Minor difficulties getting into their security system. She'll crack it. Just time."
Silence.
Great. Time.
I stop in the middle of the hallway. A mini lobby juts to my left.
My brows dip. The clutch clicks open. I unfurl the map again.
I missed something.
Blue—Safe.
Red—Danger.
My gaze drifts back to the lobby.
Greg said one of the red rooms could hold the Vault. But which?
One red-marked room sits here.
Time is running out.
There are others scattered around the mansion.
Which risk?
Since it's the only red room on this floor…
Maybe.
A camera stares down at me.
Fuck.
Judy will kill me. But she'll fix it.
I hope.
The dagger strapped to my thighs steadies me as I waltz in.
Familiar doors line the lobby, but one stands isolated at the end.
"Gotcha."
My heart kicks. My lips curve.
I pull out my micro pick. It glints under the chandelier. My heels strike marble as I approach.
I grip the knob. Nudge.
"What the—?" The door opens with a soft groan.
My mind backpedals.
How?
Downstairs, the music abruptly dies.
My heart sinks. "No time."
I step inside.It's a bedroom.
A sudden bang. A click.
I spin. The door shuts behind me.
Not the wind.
My fingers fly to my mask. Still in place.
"Focus, Poppy. Focus."
My eyes scan the posh corners. Where do I start?
Where's the Vault?
An organizer shelf. A chest of drawers.
There!
Adrenaline floods me as I move—I can't.
Dread pools heavy and metallic in my stomach.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The voice is cold. Deep. Smoky.
Like icy fingers down my spine.
My earpiece crackles.
"Leave. Now." Angelo's voice fractures. "Caruso Giordano is still in the mansion."
A hollow pang grips my chest.
Too late.