Chapter 6 - A Mind Like Steel
The next morning, the safehouse was filled with maps, blueprints, and encrypted financial spreadsheets projected onto the walls.
Declan was analyzing the security schematics of the Grand Palace Casino, his brow furrowed in concentration. Lucian had sent over the floor plans, but the casino was a fortress. Marco Rossy had doubled the guard detail, placing heavy armaments at every entry point.
"It's a funnel," Declan muttered, rubbing his stubbled jaw. "He wants me to attack the front doors. If I send my men through the loading docks, we get ambushed in the corridor."
Narin walked up behind him, carrying two plates of basic scrambled eggs she had made from canned goods. She set a plate down next to him and peered over his shoulder at the glowing schematic projected on the wall.
"What's this blue line?" she asked, pointing her fork at a thin blue conduit running through the eastern wing of the building.
"Primary power line," Declan replied absently. "High voltage. It runs from the city grid into the basement transformer."
"No, not that line," Narin said, leaning closer. Her shoulder brushed against his. "The smaller blue line underneath it. See? It branches off from the main line, passes through the secondary kitchen, and connects to the vault water cooling pumps."
Declan paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked closely at the detail she was pointing out.
"I used to clean offices at a commercial logistics firm before I got laid off," Narin explained, pulling a chair over and sitting down beside him without waiting for permission. "Buildings constructed in the late nineties used dual-circuit water cooling for high-end server vaults. That line isn't just water—it's a secondary utility crawlspace. It has to be at least four feet wide to allow technicians in."
Declan rapidly typed a command on his keyboard, pulling up the 1998 structural permits for the casino.
The screen flashed red, then green, revealing a forgotten maintenance access hatch that led directly into the VIP holding room beneath the main floor—bypassing all security checkpoints.
Declan turned his head to look at her. The distance between their faces was barely four inches.
"You're not just a maid," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips before rising back to her eyes. "You have a terrifyingly sharp mind."
"I told you," Narin said with a small, dangerous smirk, "I'm good at my job. Cleaning up messes requires knowing where the trash hides."
Declan let out a deep, rumble of a laugh—a rich, dark sound that vibrated right through Narin's chest. It was the first real laugh she had heard from him, and it completely transformed his harsh, brutal face into something breathtakingly handsome.
"God help me," Declan breathed, reaching up to gently tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her skin, sending a jolt of heat straight down her spine. "If we survive tonight, I'm doubling your salary."
May you like
"Ten thousand a week," Narin negotiated instantly, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Declan’s eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. "Deal."
