He tossed me a slip of paper with account numbers.
I entered everything but the passcode.
My mind clawed backward—
And then I remembered.
Ray’s letter.
Don’t forget the day we met.
092106.
I changed the amount.
3,000,000 → 300
Entered the passcode.
Submit.
The screen paused.
Then—
Transfer successful.
Francesco leaned in and his phone buzzed.
He looked down at the screen, then at me with a grin.“Transfer the rest.”
“No.”
The word came out steady.It surprised us both.
“I said no,” I continued quietly.“Not until I know my girls are safe.”
“I don’t give a fuck about your girls.”
“Let them go.”
He moved closer, gun rising.“I can kill you right now.”
“And if you do,” I said, unblinking, “you’ll never see that money.”
For a fraction of a second—
He hesitated.
“You’re bluffing.”
“No.”I swallowed.“I’m bargaining.”
The room held its breath.
Then—
BOOM!
