Page 74 of Fight or Flight
Like the panic room, this one is tiny and has the same general decor as the rest of the house, and it’s also completely empty except for an extravagant chandelier.
“I imagine you’re wondering why we called you to a meeting this morning,” Jordan says once Axel has closed and locked the door. “We made some headway in our search for the physical copies of the blackmail files, and we need to act fast to make sure we can use this information to our advantage.” He flicks his gaze to Axel.
“Carter was able to pinpoint where the files are being kept,” Axel says, his expression grim. “But getting them won’t be easy.”
“Good thing we’re not fans of easy,” Jace says, his expression unbothered.
“What are we looking at?” Jax asks.
“They’re being kept in a safe, which isn’t all that surprising,” he says. “But the safe is in a locked room that can only be opened with a code that changes every twenty-four hours. The only way to get that code is to gain access to the private server where Myles first found the file, which also controls the security for the room, and that can only be done by hardwiring into it from inside the house.”
“What else?” Killian asks.
“The only way to get to the safe room is through the bedroom of the main leader.”
“Ben?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Axel nods. “So not only do we need to break into Ben’s room, we also need to get the code so we can get into the safe room, and we need to break into the safe. And of course, there are multiple layers of security and surveillance that need to be neutralized before we can do any of that.”
“I imagine you’ve either found an opportunity for us to do all that, or there’s more you’re not telling us,” Jax says, his expression shrewd.
“It’s both,” Jordan confirms. “The Kings are hosting a party tonight, and Carter found out that they’re going to be updating their security system next week and completely overhaul it, so it’s either we jump on this chance now or we’ll have to wait until after we’ve figured out exactly what’s in the update and how to bypass it.”
“Sounds like tonight’s the night, then,” Jace says. “Is there a plan?”
“Not yet, which is another reason you’re here,” Jordan says.
“Getting into the party might be an issue,” Killian says. “Especially for me. There’s no way in hell they’ll ever let me set foot in there ever again.”
“Me either,” Jax says.
“Why not?” I ask.
Killian smirks. “Because I may have slept with Ben’s ex-girlfriend while she was still his current girlfriend.”
“And I beat up three of their junior members when they tried to jump Myles and might have stabbed Ben’s little brother in the process.”
“Yeah, that would do it.” I glance at Jace. “Have you pissed Ben off lately?”
“Not as far as I know.” He shoots me a grin.
“I can get Jace on the list,” I tell the leaders. “But not the other two.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Jordan says.
“You’re friends with Ben?” Killian asks.
“Not friends, exactly, but we went to the same boarding school and our dads have done business together since before we were born, so we’ve been in each other’s orbits without being actual friends since we were kids. I’ve been to plenty of their parties over the years. No one will think it’s weird if I angle for an invite to this one.” I pause. “I’ll have to think of a way to get Jace on the list without anyone asking questions, considering our history, but it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Excellent,” Jordan says.
“If you can get me into the house and keep me off their security cams, then I can get the files,” Jax offers.
“Won’t be a problem,” Jace says dismissively. “I can hack their system with my eyes closed, and it should be easy enough to slip away from the festivities and get to their server room so I can hack that too.”
I look between the twins. I already know Jax can crack locks thanks to our adventure in the escape room, but Jace is an actual hacker? Is that what they meant before when they said they wanted him to work his magic on the files?
“The only issue left is getting Ben’s ID so we can get Jax into the server room,” Jordan says.
