The one who’d been talking to Shep tapped my window, so I rolled it down. “Your invitation, sir.”
I handed it to him, and the guard scanned the hologram with a smartphone.
“Thank you. Your vehicle will need to leave the premises and return at the end of the event. You’re clear to proceed.”
Shep and I rolled our windows up, and the gate opened.
“That’s it? We’re in?” Sage asked as we drove through.
“Not quite,” I said. “There’ll be further screening at the door.”
The driveway meandered through dense woodland, the overhanging trees almost forming a tunnel. We came to a clearing, and the mansion appeared.
The rustic stone façade and shingle-tiled roof screamed old money, although Dante hadn’t inherited it. With the backing of his uncle—may his black soul rot in eternal hell—Dante was a self-made man.
Under the darkening sky, dozens of spotlights illuminated sculptures, topiary hedges, and a grand water fountain. It was a beautiful property, and I felt a smug sense of satisfaction knowing Dante would never spend another night living in luxury.
We had to get into that vault. Failure tonight wasn’t an option. Most importantly, I didn’t want to let Sage down.
“This place is incredible. Like something out of a fairy tale,” said Sage, staring out the window as the mansion loomed ahead. I cast her a curious glance when she chuckled. “Is anyone else getting the vibe that this car will turn into a pumpkin at midnight, and Dante and Maxim are a messed-up pair of evil stepsiblings?”
“Cinderella and Prince Charming are accounted for.” I straightened my bow tie. “Does that make Shep your fairy god—”
“Don’t say another word.” The hitman glared at me through the rearview mirror.
Sage leaned into me. “No. Shep would be a mouse. The fairy godmother transformed a pair of them to drive the carriage.”
“Explain to me again why I’m helping you two?”
“Because these sons of bitches have made our lives hell. Now it’s time for a little payback.” I adjusted my mask. “I’ll touch base once we’ve recovered our comms to confirm you’re in position.”
“Copy that,” said Shep.
The sedan came to a stop near the impressive entrance. Adrenaline surged through me as a valet opened the car door. The cool evening air smelled of the potted hydrangeas lining the stairs to the front door.
I held Sage’s trembling hand as she exited the vehicle. “Just breathe,” I reminded her, then I offered her my arm with a smile. “Shall we?”