I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small brass key.

The numbers 408 were stamped into the worn metal.

“My father’s key,” I said. “It opens a box at the Chicago Union Bank.”

Roman stared at the key, his eyes narrowing.

“The ledger is in that box,” he said.

“Yes,” I said. “And as long as I am in this house, they will keep tearing it apart to find it.”

“The house is fortified, Lena. You are safe here.”

“They just broke a window and cut your power, Roman,” I said.

“You are sick, and your men are spread thin trying to secure the perimeter.”

“My fever is nothing,” he muttered, though his chest heaved as he spoke.

I looked down at the key in my palm.

“They want me, and they want this key,” I said. “If I stay, we both die in this fortress.”

“I am not letting you leave,” Roman said, his voice dropping an octave.

“I will go to the bank,” I said. “I will be the bait.”

He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me.