Chapter 5 - The Line in the Sand
Sophie felt the air leave her lungs, but her years of remaining invisible in powerful rooms kicked in with instinctual precision. She dropped her eyes to the floor, her body language shrinking into that of a timid servant.
"I am sorry, Mr. Russo," she stammered, holding her dust cloth tightly. "Mrs. Moretti’s schedule noted that the library needed to be prepared for an eight o'clock briefing. I was just dusting the woodwork."
Santino didn't move. He stepped past her into the library, his eyes scanning the room with cool, methodical suspicion. He walked up to the mahogany desk, checking the drawers, then turned slowly toward the west corner where the portrait hung.
"Did you touch anything else?" Santino asked, stepping closer to her.
"No, sir. Just the dusting."
Santino reached out, his thick fingers catching her chin, forcing her head up so he could look directly into her eyes. Sophie felt the terrifying pressure of his grip, the absolute authority of a man who dealt in life and death.
"You're the girl from Milwaukee," Santino murmured, his thumb pressing hard against her jawline. "The one Marco cleared last spring."
"Yes, Mr. Russo."
"You have very quiet feet, Sophie," Santino said softly. "I don't like quiet people. They hear things they shouldn't."
He reached into his coat with his free hand. Sophie’s heart stopped. She knew what was coming. He was going to pull a gun and end her right here against the bookshelf.
"Santino!"
A sharp voice rang out from the hallway. Camila stood in the doorway, dressed in an elegant black silk dress, her diamond necklace sparkling under the hallway chandelier.
"What are you doing?" Camila asked, her brow furrowed in irritation. "The cars from New York are ten minutes away. Why are you harassing the staff?"
Santino stared at Sophie for two more agonizing seconds before releasing her chin. He wiped his thumb against his silk handkerchief as if he had touched something dirty.
"Just making sure our house is clean, my dear," Santino said, turning toward Camila with a smooth, false smile. He flicked his hand at Sophie. "Get out. And tell the rest of the staff to stay in the kitchen quarters until I say otherwise."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, ma'am," Sophie whispered, clutching her cleaning bucket and hurrying out of the room without looking back.
She moved through the corridors, her pulse racing at a terrifying speed. The black USB drive pressed against her hip, heavy as lead.
She made it to the service door, slipped out into the cold rain, and walked toward the delivery van. The elderly housekeeper was sitting in the driver's seat, reading a magazine.
May you like
Sophie climbed into the passenger side, her entire body trembling violently as the adrenaline high began to crash.
"Drive," Sophie gasped, pulling the black drive from her apron and holding it tight in her fist. "Take us to the river."
