Daniel chuckled, a low, grating sound that made my skin crawl.

“Well, she won’t have to make threats much longer,” Daniel said, looking at me with a patronizing warmth.

“We shouldn’t keep you, Ava. I have some urgent matters to discuss with Elias anyway.”

“Of course,” I said.

I walked past him, my shoulder brushing his wet sleeve.

I felt the weight of the silver key card in my pocket, cold and sharp against my thigh.

Daniel did not suspect a thing.

He believed I was his puppet, waiting to dismantle Elias from the inside so we could share the spoils.

He did not know I had my own agenda, and it did not include him.

I left the office and took the elevator down to the lobby.

Outside, the New York streets were slick with rain, the yellow cabs reflecting in the deep puddles.

I hailed a taxi and gave the driver Daniel’s address in Boston.

The drive was long, the rhythmic sweep of the windshield wipers the only sound in the dark cab.