Page 83 of SINS & Riley
This is Sabine’s subtle way of telling me she needs more cash in the account.
“Three times?” I drag a hand over my jaw, as if thinking it through. “Get Palermo going. Tell Dominic how much you need. It’ll be there by the end of the week.”
I know what’s really clawing at her. Not the money. The movement of it. People notice when hundreds of millions start to shift.
Like I give a fuck. I’ve got enough dark-web ghosts on my payroll to erase every breadcrumb before it lands.
Her brows pinch, suspicion etched deep.
“I can't believe I'm saying this, but you worry more than me, Sabine.”
“It’s my job. You pay me to worry.” Then she exhales, edged in relief. “If you’re sure. Because there are still the tunnels to finish under Tuscany.”
And there it is.
“Again with the tunnels?”
“The Vatican has tunnels. Versailles. Windsor Castle.”
I lift a hand, half in surrender, half respect. She’s never let this go. Not once.
“Fine. You wore me down. Build your tunnels. Hell, tunnel to the Vatican if it helps you sleep at night. Just keep your priest fantasies to yourself.”
Her lips twitch, a flicker of amusement breaking through. Then, she studies me for a beat. She can see there’s a question lodged in my throat. “What is it, Zver?”
“The girl. Mila?”
For the first time, Sabine’s smile softens. “I think you mean Layla.”
“Right,” I say quickly, repeating her new name. “Layla.”
“She’s adapting. Better than expected, considering… everything. She seems content enough to stay.”
“If she ever wants to leave,” I offer, “she can. She’ll have enough money to disappear anywhere she chooses.”
Anywhere but here.
She nods.
I shift, letting the thought settle before I push on. “And the new stronghold?”
“Portugal is coming along nicely. Better than expected. We’re ahead of schedule. Completion in three months.”
My guards return, and Sabine and I glance back at the church. A shadow lingers in the doorway.
Sabine’s voice drops low, sharp with urgency. “You’d better get out of here.”
“Why?”
“I wasn’t expecting you today. Remember, you said it was my op. My rules. I need a safer way to get the girls out and?—”
That’s when a man steps forward from the entryway to help.
And that’s when I see him.
A ghost from my past.
Father Marc.
