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The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Just as I was beginning to wonder if we’d been forgotten, the door opened again. A figure stepped through, tall and imposing, his face hidden in shadow.

“Well, well,” a deep voice rumbled. “What do we have here?”

Red.

I swallowed hard as a man entered - all pure muscles and radiating danger. His face might have been handsome once, but harsh living had carved deep lines around his eyes and mouth. Despite the scars and weathered skin, there was no mistaking the infamous Red.

He smiled, but it only made him seem more menacing. “So,” he drawled as he sat down, “I hear you know something about some gold smuggling. And you have an offer for me?”

He rested his chin on his hand, looking the epitome of innocence.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “That’s right. I know everything about it.”

His smile got bigger. I swallowed.

“But I’m not here to threaten you or cause you any trouble… sir. I have something that needs smuggling out of the capital, and I thought Red Cross would be my best option.”

Red’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back in his chair. “And what, pray tell, needs smuggling so badly that you’d risk coming here?”

“Raw silk,” I said, watching his reaction carefully. Please, don’t kill me.

His eyebrows shot up. “Impossible! Raw silk? How much are we talking about here that you need to smuggle it? And how did you end up with that much?”

Wouldn’t you like to know?

I smiled, aiming for mysterious but probably landing closer to nervous. “Let’s just say I have my sources. As for the amount - enough to make it worth your while.”

Red leaned in, stroking his chin. “The government’s getting involved now, you know. Prices are rising.”

“Precisely why I need it smuggled out safely,” I countered. “I’m willing to pay handsomely for your services.”

He studied me for a long moment. “What’s your angle here, girl? You’re no common merchant.”

“That’s non—” I paused. What did he say? Girl?

The corner of his mouth lifted up at the shocked look on my face. “What? Did you really think your pathetic disguise was gonna fool us?”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. Here’s hoping he doesn’t kill me . “Does it matter? You get paid and I get my silk out. Everyone wins.”

Red barked out a laugh. “Oh, it matters. But I’ll play along… for now. Let’s talk numbers.”

We haggled back and forth, dancing around details neither of us wanted to fully reveal. Finally, we settled on a price that made me wince internally but seemed to satisfy Red.

It’s not like he was getting any money from me. I was only here for the information. But as a businesswoman, this deal wasn’t the best.

As he stood to shake my hand, sealing our deal, he leaned in close. His breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, “Just remember, little lady. If you’re playing me… well, let’s just say I have ways of dealing with liars.”

A chill ran down my spine. “So, what’s the next step?”

“I have someone perfect to handle this. You can say he’s quite the expert in this field.” Red gestured for the brute to fetch someone. Finally, things were falling into place. I’d dance circles around these thugs and be home in time for bed.

The door creaked open, and my stomach dropped. How could this happen?

Gareth. That sniveling, treacherous weasel. That’s why I saw him hanging around in the inn.

As Red cheerfully filled him in on our “deal,” the pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. Gareth hadn’t just betrayed my father recently - he’d been playing both sides all along.

Brilliant deduction, Ilyana. And it only took you risking life and limb to figure it out. And here I thought things were going smoothly.

I glanced at Tommy, hoping my panic wasn’t as obvious as it felt. The boy’s wide eyes told me he’d connected the dots too. Smart lad. But unfortunately, it’s not a good time for either of us.

My disguise didn’t even fool Red; Gareth would know. There was nothing I could do. My heart was beating faster than I could think.

Three seconds.

“Ready to run,” I breathed, barely moving my lips.

Tommy’s slight nod was the only sign he’d heard me.

As Red was done talking to Gareth, he gestured him in my direction. Gareth’s gaze swept the room, finally landing on me.

Two seconds.

I saw the moment recognition dawned, his eyes widening comically.

“You!” he bellowed.

Time’s up.

I grabbed the rickety chair and hurled it at Red and Gareth with all my might. The satisfying crack of wood against flesh was quickly drowned out by shouts of rage and pain.

I didn’t turn around to see if my hit landed on both of them. Seizing Tommy’s hand, I bolted for the door. We burst into the main room, dodging bewildered thugs left and right.

“Stop them!” Red’s voice thundered behind us.

The sounds of pursuit grew closer as we wove through the maze-like passages. My lungs burned, and Tommy’s ragged breathing told me he wasn’t faring much better.

“This way!” he wheezed, tugging me down a narrow corridor.

Thank God, he remembered the way.

We emerged into an alley, the stench of rotting garbage assaulting my nose. This was a different path than the one we entered from. Freedom was so close, I could taste it.

“Just a little bit!” I desperately ran, holding Tommy’s hand.

A meaty hand clamped down on my shoulder, spinning me around.

“Going somewhere, little lady?” The brute from earlier sneered.