Page 127 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

“And what about you?” I ask. “What protections are you putting in place for yourself?”

“I’m always useful.” She turns for the elevator with that non-answer. “And I’ll continue to be so.”

River’s hand finds mine, holds tight. “No,” she says firmly.

Angela pauses, rotates back. “Excuse me?”

“You warned us,” River says. “You got us all of this.” She sweeps a hand out at the case, the paper. “Now let Attie and the others handle the rest so you can keep yourself safe.”

Angela stares for a single heartbeat. Then laughs, shakes her head. “Anther sweet girl.” Her eyes come to mine. “Keep her safe.”

“Don’t,” River begins.

Angela’s amusement fades. “The Lyons exist because they understand how to hurt people. If we destroy the files but leave the people who know how to rebuild them, this shit all starts again.” Her eyes cut to me. “Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not next year. But eventually we’ll be right here again.”

I hate that she’s right.

River clearly does too by the way her shoulders slump and she leans against me.

I hold her close.

Angela nods approvingly. “You’ll receive a text from Sergio soon. Don’t listen to it.”

My stomach tightens. “What will it say?”

“It doesn’t matter so long as you keep River safe,” she says.

“I will.”

Angela looks between us and something weary crosses her face, as though she’s exhausted, beaten down, at the end of her rope. Then it vanishes, as though she’s carefully tucked it away. “Get the drives.” A beat. “I’ll do my part.”

Pascal shakes his head slowly. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“I’m playing the only one they’ll believe.”

“Because you’re the bait?” River accuses softly.

Angela smiles faintly as she jabs at the button for the elevator. “I’ve been called worse.” Before the doors close, her gaze locks with mine. “Be ready.”

Then the doors shut, and she’s gone.

“You think she’ll be okay?” River asks.

I stare at the closed elevator thinking that Angela Rosseau has survived more than most people can imagine.

But survival and okay are not the same thing.

Thirty-Eight

River

The strangest thing about ending a chapter of your life and beginning a new one is?—

Paperwork.

No grand gestures or dramatic ballroom entrances by my prince. No dancing or mysterious women breaking into apartments.

Just…