I pulled the USB drive from my pocket and set it on the mahogany table.

It was scratched, but the metal casing was intact.

Before Naomi could plug it into her laptop, the landline phone on her desk began to ring.

The sound was deafening in the quiet room.

Naomi stared at the blinking red light on the console.

She pressed the speaker button.

“Naomi Pierce,” she said.

“Put Amelia on,” a cold, familiar voice commanded.

It was Antoinette Harrow.

My chest tightened.

“Antoinette,” I said, stepping closer to the phone.

“Amelia,” she said, her voice smooth and devoid of any warmth. “I know you are with that girl.”

“Her name is Sienna,” I said.

“I do not care what her name is,” Antoinette replied. “I care about my family.”

“Your family is built on lies, Antoinette.”

A soft, chilling laugh came through the speaker.

“You are playing a game you cannot win, child,” Antoinette said.

“I am protecting my daughter,” I said, my voice shaking despite my anger.

“You are going to lose her,” Antoinette said.

The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp.