Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
I need the TimeGem powerful servers to cure the computer virus before anybody else gets a hold of it. Including Justice. Of course, I plan to cure him as well. Somehow.
Aura twirls a strand of her silver hair and eases back into her chair, sequined tracksuit sparkling under the glow of the string lights. She rolls closer to her keyboard, fingers poised. “I tracked what you sent. Whoever infiltrated the TimeGem servers knew what they were doing. I can piggyback on that, same as you. And I see you’ve already been in here.”
The room hums with machine noise and little touches of defiance. Glitter clings to the carpet, catching the twinkle of string lights looped around curtain rods.
Mags nods. “We can take the system down whenever you want, but we need a plan.”
Jos nods, fingers resting on the edge of her neat notepad. “If we take the diamonds out of commission, we have to make sure there are citrines ready to replace them, and you’ll need to be there to charge them.”
Mags taps her chin, squinting at the monitor glow. “Unless you charge them beforehand. Either way, we need them ready, and we need to be in the server room to do it.”
I stiffen. I don’t like the way they keep saying we. “How exactly are we going to do that?”
Aura smiles, and despite her rhinestone tracksuit and silver bun, it’s wicked. “I’m working on that.”
Mags exhales hard, her sequined glasses slipping down her nose. “I’d love to steal the diamonds. They’re so … sparkly.”
Aura tilts her head, considering. “I suppose we could. I know a good fence in Boise.”
Jos leans back, crossing her arms over her white shirt. “There’ll be some residual energy in the diamonds from Sylveria since she’s the one charging them, but it’ll fade. We could sell them on the open market. Think of the dogs we could save.”
“I’d like that,” I murmur. “Sylveria’s hinted she needs my help a few times, but she hasn’t told me what for, and I haven’t hit her servers yet. Have you?”
Mags shakes her head. “Not yet. Someone else is already after them.”
I grin despite myself. “I like that. I like that a lot.”
Aura narrows her eyes, glitter flashing from her glasses. “Totally agree.”
The monitors throw pale light across their faces—Aura with her sequined sleeves, Mags with her candy bowl pushed to the side, Jos with her locket catching the glow. The whole room hums with electricity and age, these women plotting server raids like it’s just another Tuesday.
“Do you want me to attack TimeGem?” Aura asks.
I love any idea that keeps these women working remotely. “Yes. Make Sylveria need my help, more than she already does.”
“Then what?” Jos asks, folding her arms tight.
“Then I’ll end up in the server room to help her?” I’m not sure about this plan.
Jos hops in her seat, looking adorable in a purple pantsuit. “Then we can plan a robbery?” Hope fills her faded eyes.
“Sure.” I wonder if Justice will help. He’s got the manpower. But considering I just escaped his penthouse, he’s probably pissed. My butt still tingles, and I’m not up for another spanking. I’m pretty sure I’m bruised. “For now, I need to get to my last decent safe house to work. I’ll finish opening the tunnel into their server. You can attack about four this afternoon. I’ll clear the path for you.”
“Excellent.” Aura claps her hands, rhinestones catching the glow of the monitors. “I’ve been waiting to attack forever. I’m glad you’re finally ready.”
Me, too. With Justice on my ass, another player making a move, and Sylveria wanting me in her server room, I’m running on borrowed time. “I am so ready. Does anyone have a phone?”
“Of course. Do you want a burner or my regular one?” Mags asks, tugging open a drawer.
“Burner.”
She rummages past stacks of candy bars, crystal pendants, and a half-burned candle before tossing me a small black phone. “Who are you calling?”
“I’m texting Rosalie.” That will have to do. I so do not want to talk about Justice with her while my godmother listens in.
My thumbs move fast. IT’S TIME TO FILE SUIT AGAINST TIMEGEM.
Rosalie has an entire case prepared—challenge of the will, challenge of the trust, fraud, theft. She’s been waiting for my signal.
“She’ll file it right away,” I murmur.
The phone buzzes back: ARE YOU SURE?
YES. PLEASE FILE.
A flood of emojis rolls in—smiley faces, hearts, clapping hands—then: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? HAVE YOU BEEN WITH JUSTICE BEATHACH?
I return the text: I HAVE, AND I NEED TO TALK TO YOU, BUT NOT NOW. FILE THOSE PAPERS.
Three dots show, and then: FINE, BUT MEET TONIGHT. FIVE O’CLOCK. SANDBAG BAR BACKROOM. YOU AND ME.
I picture the routes in my head, dodging as much CCTV as possible, then send: ABSOLUTELY. SEE YOU THERE. I can get inside without being seen. Rosalie knows what she’s doing. I toss the phone back to Mags.