Page 109 of Reckless: Collision

“Twelve seconds.” A pause, then, “Sending access code now.”

The door clicks. Just like that. Like Sterling’s legendary security is nothing but tissue paper to her.

The thought settles cold in my gut.

“Nine seconds. Get inside.”

We slip through the door, into the sterile brightness of Sterling Labs. The air tastes like antiseptic and secrets.

“Guards?” I subvocalize.

“Two in the security office, watching basketball.” Her fingers clicking across keys carry through the comms. “One patrolling level three. Night cleaning crew on five.”

We move toward the stairs, following the path we’ve memorized. But something feels off. The security is good—state of the art even—but it feels... performative. Like whoever designed it left deliberate blind spots.

“Wait.” Her voice stops us at the stairwell door. “Movement on two.”

We freeze as one unit. Finn’s hand hovers over the door. Jinx’s muscles coil, ready for violence. Theo’s breath catches, barely audible.

“Guard’s coffee break,” she updates after ten seconds that feel like years. “You’re clear to level B3.”

The stairwell echoes with our careful descent. Three floors down into Sterling’s secrets. With each step, the air gets cooler. Heavier with purpose.

“Security hub shows all clear,” she whispers. “But...”

“But?” I prompt, not liking the hesitation in her voice.

“Something’s wrong.” Keys click rapidly. “The system... it’s too easy.”

My thoughts exactly.

“Maintain course,” I order. The hair at my nape rises, skin prickling with gooseflesh despite the controlled temperature. My muscles coil without conscious command, weight shifting to the balls of my feet as a metallic taste floods my mouth—the body’s ancient warning system activating before my mind can process why.

Because she’s right—this is too easy. Like the building is welcoming us in. Like someone expected us.

Like someone knew exactly how we’d try to get in.

Someone who knows our tactics.

Someone who knows our tech.

Someone named Sterling.

“This whole level is...” Cayenne trails off, and I hear the focus in her voice sharpen. “Hold position.”

We freeze halfway down the corridor, trusting her implicitly despite my doubts. That trust is either going to save us or damn us.

“What do you see?” Finn whispers.

“It’s not what I see.” Keys click rapid-fire. “It’s what I don’t see. The security system has gaps. Deliberate ones. Like they want someone to think they’ve found a weakness.”

I exchange looks with my team. Jinx’s hands tighten on his weapons. Theo’s nostrils flare, testing the air.

“They’re playing a game,” she continues, and I hear something new in her voice—not fear, but fierce intelligence.The same calculating tone she had during the snowball fight when she spotted all our weaknesses. “But I can play better.”

More typing. Screens reflecting in my mind’s eye.

“Okay, change of plans. See that maintenance panel to your left? That’s not on any blueprint, but I’m picking up power signatures. It’s a secondary system.”

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