He leaned closer, his face inches from mine.

“If I have to break a few of your bones to keep it intact, I will do it again,” he said.

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I forced myself to look him in the eye.

“Is that a threat?” I asked.

“It’s a fact,” Ethan said. “You are going to hand over the original ledger, and then you and Liam are going to disappear.”

Behind him, Liam managed to stand a little straighter despite his limp.

“She doesn’t have the ledger here, you idiot,” Liam spat.

The guard struck Liam in the ribs with a short, heavy flashlight.

Liam groaned, doubling over, his forehead pressing against the cold concrete floor.

“Stop!” I screamed, half-rising from my chair.

Ethan held up a hand, signaling the guard to pause.

“Don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be, Claire,” Ethan said.

“It’s in a safety deposit box,” I lied, trying to buy more time.

“I know all your bank accounts,” Ethan said. “I had them frozen three days ago.”

“Not all of them,” I said.