“But the cost of what you have in your apartment is even higher.”

My breath hitched in my throat.

He was not just talking about the deed.

He was talking about the financial ledgers Elise and I had spent weeks copying.

The ledgers that detailed thirty years of Romano tax evasion, money laundering, and bribery.

“The deed only costs me a restaurant,” Nico said, his voice dropping lower.

“The other papers you took from my office… those cost me my freedom.”

He watched my reaction closely, looking for any sign of weakness.

I kept my face as still as possible, but the cold sweat on my palms betrayed me.

“I know what you have, Harper,” he continued.

“And I know what you plan to do with it.”

“You want to take everything from me.”

“But we can find another way.”

He stepped forward, the gun still in his hand but no longer aimed at us.

He looked down at the parchment deed, his fingers hovering just above the yellowed paper.

“Let’s talk about a trade,” Nico said.

Before I could answer, a sharp vibration rattled against my thigh.