My stomach tightens, and I wonder if he knows.

“It’s simple social engineering,” he continues without missing a beat. “And the facial-recognition cameras are easy to fool.”

“No, they’re not. The technology just keeps getting better and better. This is so not a good idea.” I want to shake sense into him. “And since you’ve got this all figured out, how are we going to get the ring if she wears it all the time? We can’t just steal it off her finger—she’ll notice it’s gone immediately, and then her dad will change the location of the algorithm.”

“Not if we convince her she lost it. Then maybe she’ll be afraid to tell her dad. Especially if she loses it doing something he wouldn’t approve of.” A slow smile lights up his face.

“Like what? We don’t even know this girl. How do we get her to do anything?”

“We don’t know her yet. We will. And I’m very convincing.”

I fold my arms. “Ugh. I feel sorry for her already.”

He laughs. “Listen, don’t freak out on me, Ellie. We’re going to figure out every detail, think of every possible thing that could go wrong. This isn’t happening tomorrow. When we walk into San Francisco, we’re going to be prepared. I won’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Except exist.

But I don’t say that out loud. “Okay, okay.” I take a calming breath. “Okay.”

He holds up the papers. “Have you memorized these?”

“Target Nicki Simon, daughter of Collette and James—”

“Good.” He drops the packet on the dirt floor. Striking a match, he lights the pages on fire. They flare up and, in a flash, are gone.

“See you at Abignail’s in the morning?” he asks.

“You want to wait until tomorrow?” I sputter. “I thought we were going to be prepared. How are we getting to Silicon Valley? Where will we stay? What if we get caught? We should get to work right away.”

“It’s one of our only free days all year,” he says, “and freedom isn’t something I waste. Neither should you. Enjoy it while you can.”

“Don’t want to keep Chloe waiting, huh?”

Raising an eyebrow, he doesn’t dignify me with a response.

“Whatever the master says.” I sigh. “It’s your Initiation Heist, not mine. I’m just your lowly assistant. Do what you want.”

“That’s my plan.” Extinguishing the lantern, he drapes an arm over my shoulder and guides me to the door.

My spine goes rigid at the same time my skin warms to his touch. Sweat pools on my back.

“Relax, Ellie. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re with me.”

“You’re what I’m afraid of.”