Page 139 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

I breathe out something close to a laugh. “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Ah, well, it’s nothing that a little time won’t put to rights.” A smirk. “I’m sure Sergio will have more fun later.” Then she brushes her hands together, clearly dismissing me as she turns to him. “Let’s go.”

“Go where?” Sergio snaps.

“I believe we have a meeting to attend.”

His eyes go wide. “You got it?”

Angela slips one hand into her coat and holds up a flash drive. “What do you think?”

Sergio’s eyes gleam. “Give it to me.”

Angela smiles faintly. “Tut. Tut. You’ve always been too eager.” She slips it back into her pocket. “You’ll have to wait for the others.” A toss of her head as she turns for the door. “You can play more with your boy toy later. Right now, I want what I’ve worked so hard to earn.”

“You’re such a fucking bitch.”

“Maybe.” A shrug. “But at least you always know what you get with me.”

“Yeah, a fucking mercenary.”

She laughs. “That’s hilarious, coming from you.”

He glares. “Fuck you.”

“Not on your life.” She pulls open the door. “Time to go. I don’t want to be late.”

Sergio is still for one long moment. Then he storms through the door and out into the hall. Angela doesn’t look at me.

Rather, she looks past me before she closes the door.

I wait a moment, making sure they don’t come back, but when my own gaze shifts to the darkness on the far side of the room, my blood turns to ice.

There’s a shadow in the vent.

No. Not a shadow.

A person.

No, no, no.

River.

I can’t see her clearly at first—just a pale face in the darkness, eyes fixed on me with such fierce, terrified determination that something in my chest tears open.

But I know it’s her.

She came. Of course she came.

Fury and relief collide so violently inside me I almost can’t breathe.

Then the vent slides open and River is climbing out. She rushes over to me, hands shaking as she unlocks the cuffs.

I pull her into my arms. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“God, honey, you look terrible.”

“And you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” I tug her toward me and slant my mouth over hers, kissing her deeply for one brief moment, needing to prove to myself that she’s here, that this is real..