“She is not leverage,” Declan spat, stepping closer to Roman.

“She is the only thing keeping your Vescari soldiers from getting slaughtered by my men.”

“Precisely,” Roman replied, his voice cool and analytical.

“Which is why we cannot let her die.”

“If Victor gets his hands on her, our alliance is over before it begins,” Roman added.

I watched them, realizing the truth of my position.

I was the anchor.

As long as I held the key to the financial secrets of the three families, they had to work together.

If I died, the fragile truce would shatter, and the city would burn.

“We need to move,” I said, stepping between them.

“Silas isn’t the only one Victor sent.”

Roman nodded once, a gesture of cold agreement.

“My car is at the south gate,” Roman said.

“My men are covering the perimeter,” Declan said, his eyes still locked on Roman.

“But we take my truck.”

“Your truck is loud, crude, and an easy target,” Roman said.

“It is also armored and can ram through a barricade,” Declan retorted.

“We take the SUV,” I intervened, my voice firm.