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"Anything," I breathe out. "Whatever you can do."

I hear papers shuffling on her end of the line. "My assistance will not come for free."

"Name your price."

"Two conditions. First, I expect a lifetime membership to your lovely establishment, the Ruby Realm."

Despite everything, I let out a watery laugh.That'sall she wants? "Of course. You'll dine for free every night."

"And second, you must give me your word: no matter what comes of this business with your Agent Miller, you will continue your charitable work helping women in unfortunate circumstances." Lucia's voice takes on an unfamiliar intensity. "And the work you've been conducting more discreetly, too, Alessa. You understand me?"

I can't breathe.Sheknows.

She knows what I've been doing, rescuing those women from the brothels her own cousin, the Don, makes such a fortune on.

Lucia goes on before I can pull myself together to answer. "The good you've done...it matters, Alessa. You must keep fighting for it, no matterwhotries to stop you. Promise me that, and I will do what I can to help you."

I squeeze my eyes shut, hot tears escaping down my cheeks. Lucia has always quietly supported my work with Anna's Kitchen, even when Don Mancini scorned it. And, it seems, she has been keeping quiet about my work undermining the Don.

I never realized…

"I promise," I whisper.

"Good." Satisfaction fills her voice. "Give me until morning to make some calls. I will let you know what I discover about Agent Miller's situation."

The swell of gratitude nearly chokes me. "Thank you, Lucia. Truly."

We ring off, and I sink down onto the leather couch on trembling legs. It's only one step, barely a lifeline. But right now, it's the only thing keeping me from drowning.

I don't know how long I sit there, mind spinning uselessly. Long enough for the noise outside to fade as patrons trickle out into the night. Long enough for the silence to become deafening.

And the whole time, all I can think about is Natalie.

Is she safe?

Is she scared?

Is she thinking about me, wondering if she'll ever see me again, crying like I'm crying?

A soft knock at the door finally stirs me. I scrub the lingering tears from my face as Jeremiah, my head of security, pokes his head in.

"Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but it's closing time," he rumbles.

"Of course. Thank you, Jeremiah. I was just on my way out."

He nods and ducks away, leaving me alone again. I smooth my hair and straighten my dress, trying to regain some shred of composure. But inside, I'm still reeling.

What if Lucia can't find anything? Or if the charges against Natalie are legitimate? What if...

No. I can't go down that rabbit hole. My only choice is to trust Lucia and stay focused on the next step ahead. Anything else and I'll spiral down into the dark unknown.

I shut off the lights and step out into the empty club. Without the crowd, it seems cavernous, like a hollow shell. Or perhaps it's me who feels empty inside, carved out.

This place was my empire, my hard-won success wrought from nothing. Now, with Natalie's arrest, it seems meaningless. As I close up the Ruby Realm tonight, none of it seems to matter anymore. The only thing that means anything is getting Natalie back safely.

I wish I could talk to her, just hear her voice. But I don't even know where they're holding her.

Natalie, I think fiercely, praying she can somehow sense it, wherever she is.Stay strong for me. I'm coming for you.