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At first, I contemplated getting us both onto the guest list so we could sneak in that way, but I’m worried about running into Van Straus. If I dress as the help, however, my chances of going unnoticed will undoubtedly skyrocket. The room will be full of egotistical, power-hungry criminals, after all. I doubt any of them are going to go out of their way to get to know someone serving them flutes of champagne.
“You have the infiltration route memorized?” I ask Gabriel.
“Yes. I also reconfirmed with Anders about the patrol. If we time it correctly, we’ll be able to steal the vase, exit the castle, and slip right past the next pair of guards to get to the escape vehicle.”
I take a deep breath. “Excellent. That’s excel—” My stomach lurches.
Gabriel steps toward me, his hands bracing my elbows. “Raquel…”
I wave him off. “It’s cool, I’m fine.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’tlookfine.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. That chicken we ate last night tasted a little off. I think I’ll pop by the pharmacy down the street and grab a Tums or something.”
“I can do it,” he offers. “Stay here and—”
His phone buzzes, the little black phone he’s always shouting into. Curious, I glance at the digital alarm clock on the bedside table.
“It’s a little early for Penelope to be calling, isn’t it?” I ask.
Gabriel presses his lips into a thin line. He doesn’t look pleased. “I’m sorry, I have to answer this.”
I shake my head, rubbing his arm. “Don’t worry. Take your call. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Be safe,” he says, kissing me sweetly on the forehead.
I smile up at him, warmth blooming in my chest. “I will be.”
It’s a hassle bundling up in my jacket, scarf, gloves, and boots, but it’s necessary now that it’s snowing like crazy outside. I find it funny how everyone is always wishing for a white Christmas before bemoaning the cold and being trapped by piling layers of snow.
As I struggle to zip my jacket, Gabriel answers his phone. He sounds angry —again.
My ears burn. Something isn’t sitting right with me, and I’m not just talking about my upset stomach. The last few days, I’ve really been getting the sense that he’s hiding something from me. If only I knew what he was saying…
An idea pops into my head.
I turn so my back is toward him and discreetly pull out Anders’ phone. I download the first translation app I come across. In all likelihood, the thing won’t be 100% accurate, but hopefully it’ll give me a good enough idea of what he’s talking about. To be honest, I’m not sure why I’m doing this. I trust Gabriel with my life…
But maybe that’s all the more reason to be cautious.
The app runs, translating in real time with words popping up on screen.
“No, she doesn’t suspect anything,” Gabriel apparently says. “I haven’t figured it out yet. Relax, you’ll get your money. I’ll just take the damn thing off her. It’s not like she’s strong enough to fight me.”
My eyes widen, an ugly chill clawing down my spine. My stomach bottoms out, my lungs burn, my eyes hurt with the sting of tears. Is the translation correct? No, it can’t be…
“You better hold up your end of the deal, Favreaux, or so help me God, I’ll—” He stops mid-sentence, turns. “Raquel?”
I shove the phone into my pocket and force a smile, whipping around. “Yes?”
“What are you still doing here? Are you sure you’re alright to go out?”
“It’s this stupid fucking zipper,” I say, masking the ache in my chest with a light laugh. “It keeps getting caught on my shirt. I’ve got it now, though. See you in a jiffy!”
I bolt out of there as fast as my legs will carry me. Denial grabs me by the throat as I shakily make my way to the hotel elevator. It was probably a shitty translator app in the first place. Maybe it was totally off the mark.
Be cool, Rocky. Be cool.
