The ledger contained the records of every shell company, every offshore account, and every bribe paid to city inspectors.

Without it, his empire was a house of cards waiting for a single gust of wind.

And with Liam as his leverage, he believed he held all the cards.

I stood up from the bed.

The pain in my side flared, a dull, throbbing ache that made me gasp.

I gripped the edge of the metal bedside table until the white-hot sensation faded to a dull roar.

I dressed quickly in the dark, pulling on a black hooded sweatshirt and loose jeans.

My sneakers squeaked on the linoleum floor as I walked to the door.

I peered through the small glass window.

The hallway was empty, the nurse’s station unoccupied while the night shift took their break.

I slipped out into the corridor, keeping my head down and my hood pulled low.

I took the service stairs, avoiding the main elevators where security cameras were mounted.

The stairwell was cold, smelling of concrete and damp mops.

With every step down, the metal handrail felt icy under my palm.