Page 77 of Riordan's Revenge

Riordan

My black trainers landed with silent thuds on the mansion’s back patio, and I adjusted the skeleton mask down across my lower face, making sure I was covered. Before I left the warehouse, I’d made a last-minute change out of my biker boots, and though it had felt weird speeding across Deadwater without them, I’d made the right choice.

Stealth was my goal this evening.

In the shadows, I held still and gazed at the building. A new camera had been installed high on the back wall, but it was an old-fashioned kind that rotated. I counted ten seconds from one side to the other. No problem. I could get inside in less.

Burglary wasn’t a skill I’d honed, but breaking and entering had been an unfortunate side-effect of living with Genevieve’s dad. The old boy would go on drinking binges and lose his keys. He’d then return home and call a locksmith, insist that they replace the chamber, get inside, then fall into a dead sleep. Gen would come home and be stuck outside, unable to rouse him.The first time it happened, I was seventeen, and I’d worked out how to use my sister’s hair pins to release the lock.

Odd how that skill was serving me in breaking into my bio father’s house again.

The camera swung back my way, and I held my breath, counted to three, then darted across the open space. At the back door, I slid my skeleton key lock pick—an upgrade I’d acquired—into the lock. The pins clicked, and the lock gave. I ducked inside the kitchen.

All in under seven seconds.

Earlier this evening, I’d chatted with Everly, and she’d given me the lowdown on our father.

“He’s a stickler for routine and obedience. He likes things just so but is frugal, so most of his trips to other cities or abroad are sponsored by others. He declares it all, though. It’s too public for him to hide, so goes on his mayoral calendar.”

She’d shown me it.

He was away tonight, though returning in the early hours. The opportunity had grabbed me by the balls and not let go.

“A big part of his ego is made up by the fact we’re descended from royalty, though by a lord sleeping with a servant. Father ignores that point.”

I’d told her I preferred it.

“You know, I do, too. But Father is so nuts about it, he had a heraldic family tree made. It’s painted onto cloth and hangs in the formal living room. It’s his pride and joy.”

Out of the kitchen, I prowled down the darkened hall.

Everly’s information had not only primed me for the mayor being out of town for at least a few more hours, but also clued me in on the fact that any security measures he would have put in place since she left would be basic. He didn’t like spending money.

She’d also given me a target for my plan.

Originally, my need for revenge had taken shape in my mind as an explosive event. Life-changing. Possibly life-ending. Cassie had suggested a drip-feed plan, and I fucking loved the idea. To slowly drive him insane would be perfect.

I’d also had to get over myself and throw the first stone.

Cassie’s bravery in everything she did had inspired me.

At the front of the house, the formal living room lay in darkness. Shutters had been closed over the lower half of the sash windows, but enough light from the streetlamps filtered in to show me my target.

Over the mantel was the family tree artwork. My relatives, all neatly listed. A smile curled my lips, and I pulled the flick knife I’d taken from Cassie’s bedroom when I’d waited for her. Carefully, I lifted a chair and took it to the mantel, settling it without a sound on the rug.

I climbed up.

My fucking hand shook.

As a kid, I’d wanted a father’s love so badly. Gen’s dad hadn’t given any, so I’d started to see myself as unworthy. Now I knew my biological father thought the same, that feeling could be gutting, which made no sense because I didn’t respect either man. I didn’t want it. I needed to prove what I really thought of them.

Steeling my nerves, I sliced down one side of the picture, the sharp blade cutting through with ease. Next, I stretched to the top of the frame and cut again, angling the blade to come down the right-hand side. With my free hand, I supported the material as it fell away, only the base of it connected now.

Aclankcame from somewhere inside the house.

I froze and listened.

No one else lived here. Everly had told me the housekeeper had quit. There was a security team who patrolled the street, but they didn’t enter homes without reason.