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Dread rips through me, leaving me raw and aching. Am I too late? Has Raquel already gone to Van Straus’ by herself? Did she manage to get into the vault? I’m so worried about her that I want to be sick. Is she safe?
Please, God, let her be safe.
And what about Odette? If I really am too late, there’s no hope for my daughter now. Favreaux won’t hesitate to kill my little girl if I come up short.
Panic starts to set in as I struggle against my bindings. There has to be a way out of this. There’s got to be something I can do.
“Help!” I shout at the top of my lungs. I’m so loud I swear I can feel the walls shake. “Is anybody there? Help!”
Outside in the hall, I hear the shuffling of feet. Concerned murmurs, whispers. After a moment, the electronic lock to the door beeps. In steps a pair of hotel maids, both of whom look utterly dismayed when they find me.
“Oh my God!” one gasps, rushing over to me. “Are you alright? What on Earth happened?”
“No time to explain,” I snap. “Just help me get out of this. What day is it?”
“It’s Christmas, sir.”
Christmas. I still have time. Van Straus’s masquerade party doesn’t start for another hour, which means Raquel is probably already on the way there.
The second I’m free of the duct tape, I stand and snap the zip ties right off. I’m pretty sure one of the maids swoons, but I don’t have time to deal with them.
I have a little bird to catch.
Chapter 29
Raquel
In another life, I could have been an award-winning actress. It’s incredibly liberating, getting to dress up and play a part. I arrive at the castle dressed in the catering uniform Klaus and Anders managed to snag for me. It fits like a glove. When I pull up to the security booth just in front of the massive iron gates, the guards on duty don’t even bat an eye. They wave me through without hesitation.
So far, so good.
I follow the line of cars to the back entrance, noticing how other serving staff appear to be gathering just outside. I park and step out of the vehicle without much fuss, blending in with the others. Now that I’m in uniform, I’m practically indistinguishable from the others. Even still, my heart races. Success is so close I can almost taste it on my tongue.
Don’t let it go to your head, Rocky,I can practically hear Dad say.The job’s not done yet.
A woman steps forward to address the employees. I recognize her frosty blue eyes the second I see her.
“Good evening,” Cassandra says, looking stern and snooty as ever. “In just a moment, you’ll be allowed entry into Herr Van Straus’ home. You are to remain on the main floor at all times to serve the guests. You are not permitted to engage with them unless they first address you. You’re here to work, not to socialize.”
Cassandra’s gaze sweeps right over me as she addresses the crowd. She doesn’t notice me, but I keep my eyes cast down regardless. The last thing I want is for her to recognize me and call me out.
“Now, come inside,” she says, gesturing with her hand. “Move quickly. You’ll each receive earpieces so you can communicate with the kitchen.”
We line up one by one, slipping past a pair of familiar-looking guards who are in charge of handing us earpieces and tiny radios. Klaus and Anders ignore me just like they do the rest of the catering staff, placing my assigned devices in the palm of my hand. There’s nothing distinct about it apart from the fact that it’s already on and synced to a completely different channel.
I step into the castle with the others and pop the earpiece in my ear.
“Check one, check two,” Anders whispers over the feed. “Can you hear me, Rocky?”
“Loud and clear,” I murmur subtly, moving to pick up a waiting tray full of champagne flutes. I go with the flow and follow the other servers to where the main party will be hosted.
“Where’s Foxtrot?” Klaus grumbles bitterly. “This better not be some kind of trick.”
“He fell behind,” I say. It’s a partial truth, but I don’t want to spook my teammates.
We’re officially on the clock now. No time to explain.
“Set your watch,” Anders says. “Give us ten minutes to get to the security room. Settle in and try not to draw attention to yourself. We’ll radio again when it’s clear to head downstairs.”
