“But he doesn’t have much time left.”

The sound of a heavy blow echoed through the line, followed by a muffled groan.

It was Marcus.

“Stop,” I said, my voice flat.

“Here is the offer,” Caleb said.

“You sign over the Atlantic City operations.”

“Every casino, every dock, every shell company.”

“And then you sign over the rest of the empire.”

“The trusts, the Swiss accounts, the deeds to the city properties.”

I stared at the concrete floor.

“And in exchange?” I asked.

“Safe passage,” Caleb said.

“For you, the girl, the mother, and Clara.”

“You all walk out of here alive.”

“And I let Marcus live.”

“You have ten minutes to decide.”

“The papers are on the desk in the study.”

“Sign them, leave them there, and take the service van in the garage.”

The intercom clicked off.

The silence in the vault was absolute.

I looked at Daniel.

His face was pale under the dim yellow lightbulb.

“He is lying,” Daniel said.

“He won’t let us leave.”

“He can’t let us live after this.”

I knew Daniel was right.