“What do you want, Daniel?”

“I want to help you,” he said.

“I don’t need your help. Or his.”

“You do,” Daniel said quietly. “You have no idea what you are dealing with, Ava. Elias is desperate. The merger with the European group is his entire life. If anything threatens it, he will destroy whoever is in his way.”

I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“I know about Arthur Vance,” Daniel said.

My heart stopped.

“What did you say?” I whispered.

“I’ve known for a long time,” Daniel said. “The old files are in the company archives, under lock and key. But I have access to things Elias thinks are buried forever.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because Elias has ruled that company for too long,” Daniel said.

His voice carried a cold, sharp edge that I had never heard from him before.

“He thinks he is untouchable,” Daniel continued. “But he isn’t. Not if we work together.”

I stared at the duffel bag on the floor.

“What are you proposing?” I asked.