“Don’t be. That’s why you’re here—to learn to intrude.” He steps closer, and I’m like a string that’s just been plucked; his nearness has me humming. “Do you want help with that?” He points at the diamond.

“Do I have a choice?” Attempting to create space between us, I almost back into the glass case.

“Not really.” His smile widens as he lowers his face toward mine. My breath seizes, but at the last minute, he bends down and retrieves my L rake.

“Go ahead, then.” I exhale, brushing my bangs aside, pretending he didn’t just jackknife my heart. Kneeling next to him, I focus on the lock. “The code kept scrambling, so I was picking it manually. I wish we could use a computer to decode it…”

“That would be too easy.” He inserts an S rake under the keypad. “The trick with T-10 cabinet locks isn’t the code, it’s the timing. You have to catch one pin at a time in rhythm…”

I watch the muscles in his forearm twitch with each minute movement as his fingers manipulate the pins. Such control for such big hands… The case pops open.

Heat emanates from him, and I don’t know what’s more tempting—him or the diamond.

“What’s the pattern?” I ask.

“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.” Taking the diamond from the case, he holds the walnut-sized gem up to the lights. Its facets sparkle from pink to lavender. “Keep practicing. You’ll figure it out.”

“Thanks for nothing.” I frown.

“Hey—for all I know, the T-10 will be part of the obstacle course. I know you plan to win the Quest, but I plan to give you a run for your money. It’s very important to me that I choose my partner for the heist. This is my Initiation and I’m responsible for everything that happens—you aren’t—you’re just assisting. If something goes wrong it’ll be my fault, so I don’t need extra competition.”

“I wouldn’t know if it was part of the course, either,” I reply, not liking his insinuation.

“Are you sure about that? It’s pretty unbelievable you managed to get out of those handcuffs on your first day…almost like you were tipped off. Nobody here gets special treatment.”

My temper flares, crimson creeping into the edges of my vision. “You’re one to talk—”

“Especially me.” Setting the diamond back on its pedestal, he snaps the case shut. “If anything, they’re harder on me. Have higher expectations. I wish I could scrape by, but I can’t. I have to be an example. Do what they say. Grovel at the feet of Influencers who will never know my name so I can take their precious treasures. Sometimes I can’t wait to get out of here. The Quest is my ticket, you know. As soon as I ace this heist, I’m out.”

“Then what are you going to do? Become an Influencer?”

He laughs a bitter laugh. “Of course not. But I’m going to steal from the best of them. On my terms.”