"The transport arrives at seven tomorrow."
Tony's words echoed in Emily's head like a death sentence on repeat. She didn't have until Monday. She didn't even have twenty-four hours.
Panic, cold and sharp, clawed at her throat. She rushed to the door, her only thought was to find a way to escape but the handle didn't even turn. She threw her weight against it, but the heavy oak didn't even bulge. Through the thin crack of the doorframe, she saw two guards in suits.
She ran to the windows, her fingers fumbling with the latches, but they were deadlocked, the reinforced glass as impenetrable as a bank vault. There was no way out.
Emily's hope died off like a fire losing oxygen in a heavy tin can. She collapsed onto the mattress, her strength failing her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, hot and bitter, as she remembered one of her Father's last words.
"It's only five years, Emily. After that, you're free…" he had said.
Emily looked down at the tag round her wrist and its red light pulsing. The irony pierced her heart.
***
Miles away, the bridal suite at the St. Regis held a similar type of tension.
Victoria, already out of her dress, was unpinning the diamonds from her hair when Alex barged in. His tuxedo jacket from the dinner had been discarded and the first two buttons of shirts popped open.
"Why would you do that?" He tried to sound polite. "That toast you made about Emily. You literally told the whole world she was unstable."
Victoria has a calm expression "Don't be ungrateful, Alex. I was simply offering my family's support. What kind of inlaw would I be if I don't offer help in managing such a... delicate situation."
"There isn't any situation! She isn't sick!" Alex's frustration began to boil over.
"Well her spouse told us otherwise and who knows her better than Tony? Hmm?"
"Tony lied to you and your father. Emily is perfectly sane, and you may just have helped him send her into solitary."
Victoria finally looked at him, her eyes narrowed and cold. "I don't care, Alex. Whether she's crazy or just inconvenient, it is the same. She's a distraction we don't need."
"A distraction?" Alex's laugh bordered on manic.
"Why are we even spending the eve of our wedding arguing about another woman?" Victoria snapped. She stepped into his space, her gaze searching his face. "Why are you so obsessed with everything about her?"
Alex froze, the air leaving his lungs.
"Tell me," she whispered, her voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "Are you in love with her? Is that what this is?"
The silence that followed was loud. Alex's lips parted, a denial forming, but it died in his throat.
Victoria saw the hesitation, real pain flared in her eyes. "I should have known," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"No, Victoria. It's not that" Alex's was desperate to pull them back from the edge. "I only empathize with her situation."
"I don't care," Victoria's eyes now hold a "But just to remind you, there is a contract that binds you to me. I own you. One signature on the right paper and your family's legacy is done for. Torredo Global ceases to exist. If you dare try to embarrass me and my family, I wouldn't hesitate to ruin you and your little princess."
***
Alex walked out of the suite feeling like he'd been submerged in freezing water. He descended to the lobby, where the St. Regis was humming with chaotic, expensive energy. Vendors were hauling in towers of white roses, and sound technicians were testing the speakers for the ballroom.
Everywhere he looked, there was security. Tony's men, Richard Hart's detail, the hotel's private firm.
Then, he spotted Miller.
Miller was standing near the grand entrance. He was one of the few men Alex thought he could trust and had promised to make Head of Security once he took over as CEO. Alex caught his eye and gave a subtle jerk of his chin.
They stepped into a shadowed alcove behind a massive floral arrangement.
"Miller," Alex began, his voice tight. "I want to make you my personal security. Double your current salary. But I need to trust you are my man, not Tony's. Not the family's."
Miller's eyes sharpened. He saw the desperation in Alex's gaze. "I'm in, sir. What do you need?"
Alex pulled a small, folded slip of paper from his pocket. He had written it in his room before confronting Victoria.
"I need this to get to Emily,"Alex whispered, his eyes darting around the lobby to ensure no one was listening. "She's at the penthouse and surrounded by guards who have been warned not to let anyone in."
"Don't worry, Mr. Torredo,"Miller replied, his voice calm and steady. "I know how to get to her."
Alex felt a jolt of genuine surprise. He had expected hesitation, or perhaps a demand for a higher price, but Miller's expression was unreadable. There were layers to the man Alex hadn't even begun to peel back.
Miller didn't hesitate. He took the paper and vanished into the lobby crowd.
***
When Miller reached the Torredo Global High-rise building, the guards stationed at the entrance had been doubled. His eyes traced the building to the last floor where Emily was being held before heading for the elevator.
"You shouldn't be here, turn back," the lead guard commanded.
Miller didn't flinch. He leaned in, adopting a tone of annoyance. "I could, but you will have to call Mr. Torredo and let him know you stopped me from getting the special crates he had delivered to his house for the wedding because obviously you now have more authority than him."
The guards exchanged a look. Miller was a rising star in the organization; denying him was a risky move. They stepped aside, and Miller moved past them, his heart beating as he punched in the penthouse button in the elevator.
Once inside the foyer, he found Martha, the house manager who had been with the Torredo family for twenty years. She was standing by the kitchen island, directing the domestic staff. Miller knew Martha personally as they were neighbours.
"Martha," Miller whispered, catching her arm.
Her eyes went wide. "Miller? You shouldn't be here."
"I need your help." He pulled out the paper and thrust into her pocket. "Help me get this to Mrs. Torredo."
"Are you insane?" Martha whispered. "I could get in trouble."
"I will pay you."
Martha looked at the two men stationed outside the master suite. She took a deep breath, her maternal instincts overriding her fear. She picked up a tray with a bowl of fruits and a bottle of water.
"I'll take her some dinner," Martha murmured. "They won't stop me from feeding her."
"Then get me any crate of wine to leave with."
"You better double that payment."
Martha walked toward the suite. The guards shifted, but Martha gave them a sharp, scolding look. "You want her fainting before the transport gets here and then you explain yourself to Mr. Torredo?"
They opened the door. Martha entered the room and clicked the door shut.
Emily was sitting on the floor, her back against the bed, her eyes red-rimmed. When she saw Martha, she didn't even move. Martha set the tray down and slid the note into Emily's hand.
"I will be back for the tray when you're done," her voice was loud enough for the guards outside but she gave Emily a knowing look.
She left as quickly as she'd come. Emily's fingers shook as she unfolded the paper.
Ladies room, St. Regis, tomorrow just before the reception — A
For the first time in weeks, Emily felt a spark of hope. It was a suicide mission, but it was a chance.
***
Hours later, Tony entered, followed by three staff members carrying empty suitcases.
"Pack everything," Tony commanded, gesturing to her wardrobe. "She won't be needing them where she's going, but I want her belongings cataloged and stored carefully."
Emily watched in silence, her stomach twisting as the staff went to work.
Tony walked toward her dressing table, his eyes scanning the surface. He picked up a perfume bottle, sniffed it, and set it back down. Then, his hand drifted toward the jewelry box, the one with the secret compartment.
Emily's heart seized. Her lungs refused to pull in air. Inside that box was the key to the safe deposit box Scott had died to give her.
Tony flipped the lid open. He began to pull out her necklaces, letting the gold chains slip through his fingers like sand.
"You won't be needing these at Blackwood, darling," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the bottom of the box.
He began to feel the lining, his thumb pressing against the exact spot where the secret latch was hidden. Emily stood frozen, as she watched her only leverage about to be discovered by the man who would kill to keep it buried.