The service phone on the kitchen counter lit up with a single incoming message.

I picked up the receiver and swiped the screen.

The message was from Denise.

“Nico’s men are sitting in a black sedan outside my office,” it read.

“They just delivered a formal warning. We need to be careful, Harper.”

My chest tightened.

I looked at Mr. Alvarez, who was watching me with silent concern.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Denise says they are watching her,” I whispered.

“They are trying to scare us into stopping.”

“They will do more than scare us if they think we are close,” Mr. Alvarez said, his voice barely audible over the low hum of the industrial refrigerator.

I knew he was right.

If I pushed too hard right now, Elise and Mr. Alvarez would pay the price.

I needed to make the Romanos believe they had won, at least for a few days.

“I have to stall them,” I said.

“I will tell them I am backing off the litigation.”

Mr. Alvarez nodded slowly.

“That is wise. If they think you have given up, they will lower their guard.”