Page 61 of Blood Debt

I reach beneath my waistband and pull out the flash drive. It’s still warm. I grip it tighter and sit on the closed toilet lid, opening the small mirrored cabinet above the sink.

My comms device is buried behind a stack of cotton pads in a sealed case marked sanitary napkins—just in case anyone ever checked.

I pull it out and tap the activation switch.

A tiny screen flickers to life.

One number pre-programmed.

I press it.

Static. Then a click.

“Serafina?”

Tony’s voice.

It always grounds me.

“I’ve got the files,” I whisper. “I'm secure. The drive worked.”

“Good,” he says. “Now listen closely. There’s a small circular ridge near the bottom of the drive—press it. Hold for three seconds.”

I press it. A small green LED lights up, blinking once, then twice.

“Transfer signal's live,” Tony says. “I’m pulling it remotely.”

I swallow. “Is it enough?”

There’s a pause on his end. I hear him moving, maybe pacing. Papers being lifted.

“I’ll go through it. If it’s as good as what you say…we might finally have a shot.”

My throat tightens.

“So…” I ask, quietly, “can I leave now?”

Another pause.

“I need to verify it first,” he says. “Don’t move until I give the all-clear.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Understood.”

The call ends.

I stare down at the device until the screen fades to black.

I slide it back into the cabinet, beneath the stack of cotton pads again, and close the door. My reflection returns. She doesn’t look relieved. Just…frayed at the edges.

I turn back to my room. I lower myself onto the edge of the bed and fold my arms around my stomach.

I can’t call Bianca. I can’t check in with my mother. Not while the mission is active. No traces. No chances.

My fingers clench tighter around the hem of my skirt.

She’ll be okay. Nonna will keep her safe. Happy.

She doesn’t need to know what her mother did last night. Or why.