Page 52

Z slams his palm on the counter, making the plates rattle. “So, while we've been sitting around twiddling our thumbs, you three have been planning a mission without us?"

“No one's been twiddling anything," I snap, my patience finally fraying. “Alex has been working nonstop to make sure we can even access this auction without getting caught. Without putting all of us, especially me, at risk."

"She's right, Z. While I don’t agree with the secrecy, I understand the motive behind it. If The Collector realizes Vesper isn’t the captive he sold her off to be, and that she’s coming for her brother, Vesper will be his first target.”

“And you think I don't understand that?" Z's voice rises, his tattoos seeming to ripple as his muscles tense. “That's exactly why we should have been told immediately. More minds working on protection, the better."

Alex sets down his half-eaten bread. “The security protocols I've put in place are complex. I needed total concentration, not a committee debate slowing me down."

“So now we're a hindrance?" Z challenges, taking a step toward Alex.

Talon smoothly slides between them. “That's not what he meant. We were going to brief everyone as soon as Alex confirmed we could safely access the auction."

“Which is now," I interject, moving to stand beside Talon. “Can we please focus on what matters? This might be our only chance to find Luca."

“Fine," he concedes, crossing his arms across his chest. “Let's hear it then. What's the plan?"

“The auction is being hosted on a private server with military-grade encryption.”

“You're sure it can't be traced back to us?" Oscar asks, his tactical mind already assessing risks.

“As sure as I can be," Alex replies, accepting the plate of pasta Talon slides in front of him. “I've routed our connection through seventeen different servers across twelve countries. Even if they detect something unusual, they'll chase ghosts."

I take a seat across from him, my appetite forgotten as hope swells in my chest. “And once we're in the auction, what then?”

“We buy one of his samples.”

Z starts to interject, but Alex cuts him off with a sharp look. “The funds are secured.”

“Ok, we buy one of his samples, and then what?”

“I have created a nasty little virus that I am going to tack onto the funds transfer. With a single click, they get paid and I get access to their servers.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Oz interjects. “What’s plan B?”

“The sample itself. Something that expensive isn’t going to be dropped into the mail. They’ll want it picked up. They’ll be expecting Talon or a courier.”

“Which means we'll need to track the pickup location," Oscar says, his mind already racing through the logistics. “That could lead us directly to their operations."

“Exactly," Alex nods, shoveling a forkful of pasta into his mouth. “The beauty of this plan is that it gives us multiple points of entry. Digital through the virus, physical through the pickup."

Alex swallows, his attention shifting between us. I can see the gears turning. “It all depends on timing,” he says finally. “Once we’re in the auction, things will move quickly. We’ll have to be ready to adapt.”

“The one thing you’re good at,” Talon says, the hint of a smile on his lips. “Oz and Z aren’t big on changing plans.”

Z glares. “As long as she’s safe, I’ll adapt to whatever the hell is necessary.”

Oscar nods. “And you?”

“I’m the safest I’ve been in months with all of you. I trust Alex’s plan, and I trust all of you.” I take a deep breath, my voice steady with conviction. “We’re going after Luca.”

Silence falls as my words settle over us. I can see the shift in the group, the way skepticism gives way to determination. This is happening. We’re doing this. We’re getting my brother back.

VESPER

Anticipation hangs sothick in the air, I could slice it with a knife—and maybe shoot it for good measure. It’s the night before the auction, and the last thirty-six hours have dragged by like molasses. Not even Z’s brutal gym sessions, Oscar’s shooting drills, or the very enthusiastic, thoroughly naked efforts they’ve both made to keep me distracted have done a damn thing to make time move faster.

After our heart-to-heart and a few strategically placed kisses yesterday, Alex locked himself away again, fine-tuning his plan.Despite the urgency, despite the minute-by-minute countdown to this pivotal moment, it's the waiting that kills me. Not the planning or the risks. Just the fucking waiting.