Page 16 of How to Steal a Galaxy

I glance at Rian, who still looks a little dazed. I’m going to ruin him, too, but in an entirely different way.

“By the way, you’re welcome,” I say, standing up and using the handrail so I don’t slip in these horrifically useless shoes.

“For what?” His face is still flushed. I can practically feel the heat radiating off him as he stands up too.

I tap my lips. “Color-sealed.” None of my bright red is on his lips, despite our impromptu make-out session. A look of horror flashes over Rian’s face as he touches his mouth. His shoulders sink in relief when his fingertips come away without any crimson.

“Well, that was fun,” I say, turning to continue upstairs, “but I’ve got work to do.”

“On the second floor?”

“Mm.” I head up the last remaining steps. “You’ve spent all this time worried about what I came to steal.” At the landing, I turn, pushing a finger against Rian’s chest, stopping him, then I lean in close, right next to his ear. “But I’m not here for something. I’m here forsomeone.”

I can see the question already forming on his lips, so I move my finger from his lapel—right beside that fucking rose—to his mouth, shushing him as I jerk my head toward the door visible around the corner. A swath of light cuts over the white stone, a triangle of false gold made by electric lights.

“I’ll give you this one for free,” I continue. “I’m going into that room, and I’m going to talk to the man I know is inside. And if you want to listen at the door, by all means.” I sweep my arm graciously toward it.

Rian’s a step behind me as I swish my gemstones around and head inside the gallery room. His footsteps are silent, and they stop altogether as he takes my offer, eavesdropping.

Listening to exactly what I want him to hear and not a single damn thing more.

Iknewhis curiosity would get the better of him.

Inside, I ignore the man who looks up curiously at me as I inspect the display.

This room is large, with a sloping floor to showcase the metal desks lined up. Archaic black screens with various dials, meters, and buttons are interspersed along the four rows of metal desks, each painted a pale bluish-greenish color a step above pastel. There are no chairs behind the desks, but I spot the black receptors to indicate an interactive display. A thin red line surrounding the display warns people not to get too close to the artifacts. On the far wall, digital displays recreate a map of the land masses on Earth as they were centuries ago, as well as a series of numbers and letters and data that mean nothing to me.

And there, off to one side of the desks, exactly where I expected him, right on time: Strom Fetor.

My dress isn’t exactly whisper-quiet, and the middle-aged white man homes his attention in on me, raking his eyes over my body. He wears the humored smile of someone used to being unthreatened and unbothered.

I hate himsomuch.

“Hello,” he says. His sight is glued to me; Rian’s stayed out in the corridor, so it looks like I’m alone. I should not like the way Rian follows my orders so precisely, but I certainly do.

“Hello,” I say.

Strom Fetor doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground, but that’s fine. I know him. And he’s exactly who I’ve been hoping to meet today. See, I knew Rian would be here.

Fetor? A bit of a gamble.

Not in terms of the gala, of course. Fetor was announced ages ago as the host, and he’s going to be making the end-of-the-night speech. But I had to do my research to figure out when and where I could corner him alone.Well,I think, considering Rian outside,mostly alone.

My stomach twists, though I don’t let any of that show on my face. See, Ireallylike plans that are simple. Smash-and-grabs, that’s my style. TheRoundaboutjob? I wasn’t even supposed to be seen, much less make my way into theHalifaxcrew. I work alone, and I prefer to be a shadow on the wall, easily overlooked. That’s the only reason I’m wearing glittering jewels and shiny sea-silk tonight: atthisgala,thisflashy costume is what I need to blend in.

But I’m my own worst enemy.

My client’s job—yeah, that’s basically smash-and-grab-style, easy-peasy, I’ve already got it in the bag, even if Rian doesn’t realize it yet.

Butmyjob, this little side hustle? It’s a long con. And while finding a way to take down Strom Fetor is a nice little side perk, it’s about more than that.

And it’s not going to be done any time soon.

It relies on multiple moving pieces, some careful manipulation, and a little bit of luck.

And tonight? Tonight, I’m just tipping over the first domino.

“Surprised to see anyone leave the ground floor,” Fetor says.

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