ery breath sent pain through my ribs. I closed the first-aid kit and headed toward the sta

east wing. Another pair watched the corridor leading to the servic

ing. With security tightened and Cassian questioning my background, moving around th

I had just

dn't get near his secrets without attracting his atte

y down and eventually drifted off, but a knock at my doo

and the pain in my ribs hadn't gone away.

e came through the door. "Ca

ssian wanted to see me this early, I doubted it would be a friendly c

e you f

" I re

hen we c

behind me and followed him, careful not to let my discomfor

icted corridor when Mrs. Hayes t

sturbance and wanted to know whether the d

Mrs. Hayes ask

mitted. "I

He didn't seem satisfied with my answ

m," he said. "Then you disarmed him before Mr. Vanguard ste

that I had self-

esn't explai

ing me a question, or have yo

stand why a maid with incomplete employment records has

sn't as easy to distract as so

to be prepared," I said. "That's all

er moment before contin

pened with a valid access card. The security system wasn't

someone insi

aven't ruled

urity team still had no clear explanation for the breach, which m

bottom, and another watched the hallway leading toward

scorted through restricted areas. You'll also remain in the m

ew restrictions would make it harder

tood,"

Vanguard

e the windows with a tablet in his hand. He looked as if h

n why she ignor

d the staff quarters," Adrian replied. "Her explanation doesn'

et the ta

ay, you will follow every instruction given by Mrs. Hayes or my security team. No wanderin

derst

felt deliberate. "Because I have a feeling you u

gaze. "Pe

thing shifted in his exp

you've lied to me about anything important, your employment her

h to appear respectful. "I w

t night. I hadn't expected Cassian to put my every movement under scrutiny before breakfast. My mission had

intention of abandoning my mission. What awaited me if I failed wasn't something I could affo

ea and found Mrs. Hayes ch

to help prepare the main sitting room," she said. "M

sked before I co

hat isn't part of

nly asking so I would know

everything is re

eant visitors, additional security, and changes to the usual routine. It didn't guar

Two additional guards stood outside the main entrance, and Mrs. Hayes had in

opened. A tall man stepped out, dressed in a dark suit. He barely g

expecting you,"

I hope he has an explanatio

owed

ght's f

interest, but I kept my ears open as the man appro

late,"

walked past him and placed a black folder on the table. "The drive is still mis

stand pe

is it stil

roperty without permission. Your people were suppose

peo

The visitor wasn't just another business associate. He had people

visitor s

er, Cassian. If they discover what that drive co

aused ove

r Al

vious night came back to me. You'

understood the danger in their voices. Whatever was on that drive

glass on the tray

ai

I looked back as his eyes mo

what we were

n wasn't. I had one chance to answer w

"I was only bringin

studied me.

ired," Cass

re careful about who y

mained on me. "I'

g faster, but my thoughts were clear. The missing drive was connected to an agreement involving multiple Alph

to Don Marcello. If the drive and the code were connected, I might

tting room door open behind me. The visitor stepped out

ive," he said. "After that, I can't keep

y came from in

t get it b

ncryption is

s a brie

uch bigger proble

rs closed behind him. I stood still for a mom

ncryption. The h

Cassian was desperate to find the

g to understand why it mattered. But before I could make sense

to know why you were standi

ed around the tray

ad he no