Luca stepped closer to the table, looking down at the legal seals.

He turned a page with his index finger, reading the fine print.

“He’s telling the truth, Elena,” Luca whispered.

“This is the clean side of the family trust.”

“It’s everything we used to keep the legitimate businesses running.”

I looked at Marcus, searching for the catch.

“What do you get out of this?” I asked.

“Peace of mind,” Marcus said.

“And the knowledge that you will not have to beg for help from people who would hurt you.”

He stepped away from the table, backing toward the front door.

“Sign them,” he said.

I walked slowly to the table, my boots clicking softly.

The air in the room felt freezing, but my palms were damp.

I picked up the silver pen.

It was heavy and cold in my fingers.

I looked down at the signature line.

My name, *Elena Carter Vale*, was printed beneath the blank space.

I pressed the tip of the pen to the paper.

The blue ink flowed across the page as I signed my name.

I turned the page and signed again.