He had abducted the only person in Chicago capable of connecting the false claim to the serial-number anomaly.
But he had also brought that person directly to the man who engineered it.
The wrong kidnapping had exposed the right traitor.
“What do you want?” Matteo asked.
Sophie had imagined escape from the moment the hood covered her face.
She had imagined police lights, locked doors, and her own bed.
She had not imagined negotiating with Matteo Romano while Leo knelt beside her chair.
She chose each word carefully.
“I leave unharmed.
Chloe leaves unharmed.
The locker evidence reaches investigators without being altered.
Your men give me back my phone, and no one comes to my apartment again.”
Leo barked a laugh.
“She’s giving orders now?”
Sophie looked at Matteo.
“I am describing the least damaging outcome available to him.”
Matteo walked to the edge of the light.
“You expect me to trust your sister?”
“No.
I don’t trust her either.”
The honesty surprised him.
Sophie continued.
“Chloe accepted a courier job from criminals.
She used my address without permission.
She saw evidence of theft and tried to turn it into leverage instead of going to the authorities.
She is not innocent.”
Leo smiled through the strain in his face.
“But she did not steal your two million dollars,” Sophie said.
“He did.”
The smile vanished.
Matteo considered her terms.
“You will report the kidnapping.”
“Yes.”
“You saw faces.”
“Yes.”
“You know my name.”
“The newspapers knew your name before I did.”
One of the guards shifted uncomfortably.
Sophie did not look away.
“You can kill me and guarantee scrutiny, or release me and let the evidence point where it already points.
I cannot promise you safety.
I can only tell you which decision creates less danger.”
Matteo opened the Zippo.
Click.
He closed it.
“Take her home.”
Leo surged against the men restraining him.
“Matteo!”
Matteo turned to the youngest kidnapper.
“Use a different vehicle.
Give her coat back.
Do not cover her face.”
Sophie stood slowly.
Blood rushed painfully into her hands.
“What about Chloe?” she asked.
Matteo looked at Leo.
