My full concentration on the lock, beads of sweat form on my forehead. Just one more second—

“I never pegged you for pink.”

The voice startles me, and my hand slips, sending my L rake rattling to the floor and triggering the alarm. Pulsating sirens reach air-raid status, and, whipping around, I clamp my hands over my ears.

Garrett stands behind me, smug. And alone.

“Didn’t anyone teach you not to sneak up on people?” I yell.

He crosses the room and punches a code into a keypad mounted on the wall. “Actually, no. I’ve been trained to always sneak up on people. You should watch your back.” The alarm abruptly goes silent.

“I’m no stranger to that.” I stand frozen in place, every muscle in my body tense.

His footsteps echo against the stone floor. Electricity surges up my spine, a ball of buzzing energy, as he draws closer.

I need you.

The thought pops into my brain, and I instantly dismiss it, annoyed at my body’s physical reaction to him.

“You could’ve fooled me.” He grins. “It’s pretty girly, don’t you think?” He points at the cotton-candy-colored gem. “Of everything in this room, that’s what you choose to steal?”

Ignoring his smile, I try to be the girl Allard wants me to be. I don’t need Garrett to like me. “Why wouldn’t I want a pink diamond? I am a girl.”

“You just don’t strike me as someone who is easily dazzled.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I meant it as one.” He raises his eyebrows, and my heart skips a beat.

Squelching the quiver in my belly, I shake my head and draw on my Self-Awareness days. “Uh-uh. I’m not falling for any of this.”

“Any of what?” He cocks his head.

“This.” I wave my hand in front of his face. “You’re cute, but I’m immune to cute. I’m not going to let you get to me.”

“Don’t worry, Ellie,” he murmurs, his eyes snaking the length of my body before matching my stare. “I have no interest in getting to you.”

A surge of disappointment makes my vision go black, but when my eyes clear, I strengthen my resolve and my spine. “What are you doing here without your entourage? Or are you reporting back to them?”

“Because all they think about is you?” He shakes his head. “You have a pretty high opinion of yourself.”

“What’s wrong with that? I should. I’m going to win the Quest, after all. And don’t worry—I won’t be choosing you as my partner.” Where am I getting this? “I won’t get in the way of any heist fantasies you and Chloe have going.”

“You have me all figured out, don’t you?” A small smile forms on his full lips.

“I’ve known plenty of people like you.”

“Yeah?” He studies me. “So you know the Vault is my second home—I’ve been coming here since I could walk—it helps clear my head.”

Sensing he’s being honest, I imagine him as a kid building forts in the antiquity wing, playing hide and seek. But before I soften, I throw up a wall. “Sorry to intrude.”