The air inside the bank lobby was warm and smelled of old paper and floor wax.

The silence was absolute.

My wet boots squeaked on the marble floor as I carried the twins toward the basement stairs.

The stairs were narrow and steep, winding down into the dark underbelly of the building.

I found the light switch at the bottom of the steps.

A single fluorescent bulb flickered to life, humming softly.

The private vault room was lined with hundreds of small, dull steel boxes.

I set the twin carriers down on a wooden table in the center of the room.

My hands were shaking.

I pulled the silver key from my pocket.

It was engraved with the number 304.

I walked down the rows of steel boxes until I found the brass plate marked 304.

I inserted the key.

It turned smoothly, the lock releasing with a heavy metallic clank.

I pulled the long metal box out of its sleeve and carried it to the table.

Luca stirred in his seat, letting out a soft sigh.

“Shh,” I whispered, touching his warm forehead. “Just a little longer.”