The guard’s rough hand immediately reached into my apron pocket.

My heart stopped.

If he found anything—

The guard pulled his hand out, holding the white cotton rag I had used earlier.

There was nothing else.

Luca’s eyes darkened with frustration.

“She hid it,” Luca said. “Or she threw it down the drain.”

He looked at the guard holding my arm and nodded.

“Take her anyway. I don’t care about your doubts, Marcus. She stays in the cellar until she talks.”

The guard began to drag me toward the door.

My shoes scuffed against the rug as I tried to hold my ground, but he was too strong.

I looked at Sofia, but she looked away, torn between her desire to protect me and her fear for her brother.

Just as we reached the threshold of the room, the hallway phone began to ring.

The sound was shrill, cutting through the tense silence of the mansion.

Marcus Hale slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his own cell phone, which was lighting up with a bright, blue glow.

He looked at the screen, his eyebrows rising slightly.