Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 5

" Wait you're the tech guy?" I was slightly gaping. With his charming personality, I would think he would put in the seduce and destroy department.

" I know, I know. I have too much of a pretty face to be working intelligence. But what can I say, I like numbers and codes."

" I would think Peter would be more suited for the role."

"He's in the seduce and destroy department."

My cheeks warmed, " I said that out loud didn't I?"

" Mhm. You would be surprised. A lot of girls and guys love the brooding and dark type."

I giggle, " I guess we do."

He glanced up, "Interesting," He rested his head on his palm. " So tell me about your life."

And so I did. I told him about my parents and the Krills and Yasmine. I told him how much it pissed me off that the families like the Krill's had enough money to feed thousands if they just spared five percent of their income for that month.

He listens patiently, his gaze never leaving my face as he nods and agrees.

" I see why Zak chose you. You're so angry about the injustice that we face, yet you know when it's time to hold your tongue. I'm excited to see what happens when he teaches you to let go. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here, this is the file of your mission next week. Read it, learn it, and execute it."

I accepted the file.

" Tomorrow Zak's going to take you to the seventh division actual base. So get some rest, Clara."

"Thank you for taking me home." I lingered by the exit. " And tell Zak, I'm excited to see what happens when I let go too."

He laughs and I could hear him as he said that Zak made the right decision.

The file was thick. Much thicker than I expected. The objective was to swipe one of the consul's flash drive. It was hidden on the third floor of Bailey Enterprise. There had been rumors the King has been in some shady business with the Bailey's.

Each page was so detailed. Likes and dislikes of the Bailey employees, names of their children. Which employee would be easier to deceive and ones to avoid.

The last page was signed Zak.

He wrote every page by himself. How long did this take him? How did he get so much information?

At that moment I heard the door close. How much time had past? Oh god, It's already three am.

I gathered all the pages, slid it back into the folder and hurried into bed. I covered the file with a pillow and pulled my blankets up to my chin.

I could hear my parent's footsteps entering their room and after a few minutes, silence.

I let out a breath of relief and grabbed a flashlight from under the bed. I was going to memorize this file front to back even if it kills me.

When the third train horn sounded, I felt like everyone was staring at me. Did I have something on my face? Did they not like the way I braided my hair this morning?

Yasmine appeared at my side and we silently finished cleaning the glassware.

She wiped an ivory bowl before setting it down next to me. I picked it up and started to put it back into the chest when something slipped out.

Yasmine had turned to leave, " Oh Clara you dropped your morning schedule."

My eyebrows furrowed, and I open the note. In neat handwriting, it said Welcome to the nine Clara.

I quickly stuffed the note into my apron and hurried to complete the next task. I recited the files softly under my breath.

Operation: #6743

Main objective: steal the flash drive and avoid detection

Character: need a teenage girl to pose as one of the janitor's daughter. Will pretend that Mr. Lysess has forgotten his lunch at home and need to bring it to him.

Timing: move in at 3:34. The shift would have changed and Miss Lynch has a soft spot for kids.

By the time night had fallen. I was on high alert. There was no way a group of boys was gonna scare me again.

" Hiya!" Zak appeared behind me. I screamed and staggered forward. I turned to face him.

He was laughing, his head thrown back and everything. I flushed. How did he manage to catch me at the exact same spot as yesterday? Creepy.

" That's not funny."

" It kinda is. You should be more aware of your surroundings. It's dangerous for you to be out alone at this time of night."

" What are you doing here? The second shift starts in an hour."

" Some things came up and I gotta deal with them later. So I have to move up your lesson now. Is that okay?"

" What about my parents? They'll be worried about me."

" That's all taken care of. They think that you got held up helping one of your friends. You ready to fly?" He stuck his hands into his front pocket. He was so calm about the whole situation, he acted like he was asking me to go on a walk with him not to engage in a criminal offense that could potentially get us both killed.

I nodded, " I read the file and I'm willing to become the girl that you need me to be." The words felt wrong coming out of my mouth.

The corners of his lip quirked upwards.
" Good."