Page 36 of Devil's Embrace
I opened the door, surprised to find it unlocked.I knew she’d locked it earlier.How had I missed someone coming by since then?Maria stood there, arms full of fluffy white towels, her gaze darting nervously down the hall before meeting mine.
"Thank you.”I took them from her.
As I did, I felt something slip between the folds—a piece of paper.Maria gave the smallest nod, then turned and hurried away.
I closed the door, carried the towels to the bathroom, and unfolded them.A small square of paper fluttered onto the marble countertop.I snatched it up, unfolding it with trembling fingers.
Mateo's lieutenant Russo has breached security.Six men at the north gate, more expected.Coming for the child as leverage.Moving at midnight.M.
My hands shook as I read the note again.Maria—the M must stand for Maria.She was helping us.But why?Questions for later.What mattered now was Mina.
I flushed the note down the toilet, watching it disappear in the swirling water.My fear was hardening into something else, something cold and sharp and deadly.I'd felt this once before, when the doctor had placed newborn Mina in my arms and I'd known I would kill to keep her safe.
Time to make good on that promise.
I scanned the room, looking for anything I could use as a weapon.My gaze fell on the desk by the window, its surface holding only a leather blotter, a crystal paperweight, and a silver letter opener shaped like a miniature sword.I moved to it, testing the letter opener's edge against my thumb.Not razor-sharp, but pointed enough to do damage if necessary.
I slipped it up my sleeve, feeling the cool metal against my skin.It wasn't much, but it was something.Better than empty hands.
"Mama, can we go downstairs soon?I want to see the fountain again."Mina looked up from her coloring, blue eyes wide with hope.
"Not right now, sweet pea.Maybe later."I sat beside her on the bed, smoothing her hair behind her ears."Mama needs you to be extra good today, okay?Extra quiet and extra brave."
She nodded solemnly."Like a ninja unicorn?"
I choked back a hysterical laugh."Exactly like a ninja unicorn."
The door opened without warning, and Luca stepped into the room.His presence filled the space immediately, his tailored suit immaculate as always.His gaze swept the room before landing on me, something unreadable flickering in the blue-gray depths.
"Emory."He gave me a slight nod."Mina."His voice softened slightly when he addressed my daughter.
"Mr.Luca!"Mina bounced on the bed, her face lighting up."Look at my unicorn!"She held up her coloring book, oblivious to the tension crackling between the adults.
"Very nice."He gave her a small smile before turning back to me."I need to speak with you.Privately."
I stepped closer to him, so we could speak without Mina paying attention to our every word.
“Security concerns have arisen.I'm moving you both to a more secure location within the compound."
"Security concerns.You mean your uncle's men coming to take my daughter."
Surprise flashed across his face before his expression smoothed back to careful neutrality."You've been busy."
"Walls have ears.”I paused.“And some people still have consciences."
Mina had returned to her coloring, humming softly to herself, unaware of the dangerous currents swirling around her.
I went were toe-to-toe.The letter opener pressed against my forearm, a cold reminder of what I was willing to do.
"Your uncle wanted to hurt my daughter, and now his men have come to finish the job.What are you going to do about it?"
His gaze searched mine, and I refused to look away.In them, I saw calculation, consideration, and something else—something that might have been admiration.
"What I've been doing since you arrived.Protecting you both."
"Not good enough."I stepped even closer, my voice dropping to a whisper so Mina wouldn't hear."Choose, Luca.Choose right now whose side you're on.Your uncle's legacy or my daughter's life.Because I promise you, if you choose wrong, I will end you myself."
The letter opener had slipped down into my palm.Luca's gaze flicked to it, then back to my face.He didn't look afraid—if anything, the corner of his mouth twitched as if he might smile.
