The lighter stopped.
Matteo’s eyes cooled immediately.
“She stole from me.”
“I heard.”
“Two million.”
“You’ve mentioned it.”
“And you think you can negotiate her life because you found a pattern in some papers?”
“No.” Sophie met his gaze.
“I think I can negotiate because the person who set this up expects you to keep hunting Chloe while they keep feeding you bad information.”
She stepped closer to the table.
“If you kill my sister, you get revenge.
If you recover your property and identify the person manipulating you, you get control.”
Leo looked at Matteo.
Sophie watched him make the choice.
It happened without drama.
Matteo opened her phone’s recent calls and placed it on the table.
“Call her.”
Chloe answered before the second ring.
“Sophie?”
“I’m okay.”
A broken breath came through the speaker.
Then Chloe’s voice hardened.
“Are they listening?”
“Yes.”
“Of course they are.”
Matteo leaned near the phone.
“The bonds, Chloe.”
“Let Sophie leave.”
Sophie interrupted.
“Chloe, listen to me.
They know I’m not you.”
Silence.
“You told them?”
“You did, actually.”
Another silence.
Sophie could almost see her sister rubbing her forehead.
“I need you to answer one question,” Sophie said.
“Did you ever live at my apartment?”
“No.”
“Did you use my address?”
A pause too long to be innocent.
“Sometimes.”
Sophie closed her eyes.
Matteo’s expression turned murderous.
“Chloe.”
“For mail,” Chloe said quickly.
“Once or twice.
Maybe more.”
“You used my home as a criminal forwarding address?”
“I didn’t say criminal.”
“Two million dollars in bearer bonds are currently arguing otherwise.”
Leo coughed into one fist.
Sophie ignored him.
“Where are they?”
Chloe hesitated.
“Sophie—”
