Kagome had been in some ridiculous situations before, but sneaking into a high-security prison in broad daylight? This took the cake.

"This is the worst idea you've ever had," Inuyasha growled beside her. His silver hair, now tucked under a stolen security cap, glinted under the sun as he scowled down at her. "And that's saying something, considering you once tried to use an entire loaf of bread as a weapon."

"It was a valid strategy," Kagome shot back. "A baguette is basically a medieval club."

Barb, ever the professional, ignored their bickering as she adjusted the fake ID badges she had "borrowed" from her husband's contacts. "Listen, kids," she said, holding up a hand. "We've got about twenty minutes before the next shift change, which means if we don't get our asses inside now, we're going to have to actually fill out paperwork—and I am not in the mood for bureaucracy today."

Inuyasha gritted his teeth, his possessive energy rolling off him in waves. He'd been barely holding it together since the strip club debacle, and sneaking into a maximum-security prison was not helping his mood. Especially since Kagome had adamantly refused to stay behind and let him handle things.

Kagome adjusted the tight security uniform Barb had procured for her. "Okay, what's the plan again?" she asked.

"You and I are posing as guards," Barb said, flashing her fake ID. "Inuyasha is posing as a prisoner transfer officer. Vernon is already inside, under the guise of an inmate visit. We get in, locate our contact, and get out without dying. Preferably."

"Preferably?" Inuyasha muttered under his breath.

Barb ignored him. "We have a man on the inside who's been waiting for a chance to talk. Word is, he knows something about Bubba's death—and, more importantly, Byakuya Onigumo."

"You mean the guy who may or may not be the real kingpin of this entire mess?" Kagome asked, her stomach flipping slightly. "Great. Love that for me."

Inuyasha reached out and, with an almost casual possessiveness, adjusted the security jacket Kagome was wearing, making sure it sat properly on her shoulders. "You stay close to me," he said lowly, his voice more commanding than she liked. "No running off. No impulsive moves. And if something goes wrong—"

"I'll improvise," Kagome finished cheerfully.

Inuyasha looked like he was seriously considering throwing her over his shoulder and locking her in a supply closet.

Barb clapped her hands. "Alright, lovebirds. Let's go commit some mild treason."

The moment they stepped into the prison, Kagome felt the tension in the air. The place smelled like sweat, metal, and regret.

"Our guy is in cell block C," Barb whispered, leading them through a side hallway. "He's a former financial officer for the Onigumos. Knows all their dirty secrets."

"And they didn't kill him yet?" Kagome asked skeptically.

"Oh, they tried. But turns out, he's more valuable alive," Barb replied. "Also, rumor has it, he's got a demon lawyer who's been pulling strings to keep him breathing."

Inuyasha stiffened slightly at that. "What kind of demon lawyer?"

Barb gave him a sideways glance. "The very persistent kind."

They approached the cell block, but before they could step inside, a voice rang out over the intercom.

"Attention all personnel. Prison lockdown initiated. Repeat, lockdown initiated."

Kagome groaned. "Of course."

Inuyasha swore under his breath and immediately pulled Kagome behind a supply cart. "Stay down."

Barb pulled out her phone and checked the security feeds she'd hacked into earlier. "Shit," she muttered. "We've got company."

Kagome peeked out from behind Inuyasha and saw exactly what Barb meant. A group of men in very expensive suits had entered the prison—led by none other than Byakuya Onigumo himself.

Inuyasha's entire body tensed. "You've got to be kidding me."

Byakuya strode forward, flanked by two demons and a human secretary who was casually checking his nails like this wasn't a full-blown mob visit to a government facility.

"Well, well," Byakuya's smooth voice carried through the corridor. "I do love a surprise visit. Now, where is our dear informant?"

Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's sleeve. "Please tell me we are not about to get stuck in a mob execution."

Inuyasha sighed heavily. "That depends entirely on how stupid we're about to be."

"We might have another problem," Barb whispered, pointing to a different hallway.

Kagome followed her gaze and felt her stomach drop. Vernon had just walked out from a secured holding area, looking tense, his hands flexing like he was ready for a fight.

"Why is Vernon out in the open?" Kagome hissed. "He was supposed to stay put!"

Inuyasha's jaw clenched. "Because Byakuya's not here for the informant," he murmured. "He's here for Vernon."

Kagome's heart slammed against her ribs. "Oh, hell no."

Barb cursed. "Change of plans. We need to get to Vernon before they do."