She glares at me. "I’m not safe from you."
"No," I agree. "You’re not."
I brush my thumb over the paint smudge on her cheek.
"I am the only danger allowed in your life."
My phone buzzes in my pocket. A specific, urgent vibration pattern.
Threat Level One.
I stiffen. Ivy feels the change in my body immediately. Her eyes widen.
"What is it?"
I pull out the phone.
A text from Luca. Attached is a photo.
It’s a photo of a man tied to a chair. He has been beaten. His face is swollen, unrecognizable, but the suit he’s wearing... I recognize the suit.
It’s Marcus Ross. Ivy’s father.
Under the photo, a single line of text:
THE DEBT IS NOT CLEARED. I WANT THE ASSET BACK. 24 HOURS.
Nikolai has him.
I look at Ivy. She is watching my face, searching for answers. She sees the darkness descending.
"What happened?" she whispers.
I lock the phone screen.
"Nothing you need to worry about," I say.
"You’re lying. I can tell when you lie. Your left eye twitches."
I grab her face. "Go to your room. Lock the door. Do not come out until I come for you."
"Silas—"
"GO!" I roar.
She flinches, then turns and runs. I watch the platinum band flash on her ankle as she flees.
I wait until she is gone.
Then I look at the photo again.
Nikolai wants a trade. Her father for her.
I look at the painting of the bleeding heart in the cage.
Marcus Ross sold his daughter. He threw her to the wolves. He doesn't deserve to be saved.
But if I let him die... if Nikolai sends pieces of him to the Estate... it will break her.
