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Joshua smiles. I hate that smile. “That’s why I gave her the letter.”

Maisie’s gaze sharpens. “You never wanted to know your niece.”

“I wanted what Jacob left. She was always a means to an end.”

Cold spears through my chest. The cuffs bite my wrists as I pull once against them before stopping myself. Maisie sees. Her expression doesn’t change. Joshua notices the movement and smiles wider. Bad decision.

His phone buzzes. Joshua peers down, then smiles. “She’s coming.”

My heartbeat changes. Maisie glances toward me. I don’t move. “What did you send her?”

“A photograph. Both of you.” He picks up the phone. “Bring me the location of the ledger, and you both walk away.”

I almost laugh. Maisie actually does. Joshua’s smile disappears. “Something funny?”

“My brother’s girlfriend,” she says. “You really haven’t researched her enough.”

“Just shut up.”

The side door opens fifteen minutes later. Jubilee walks in like she’s arriving late to brunch. Cream off-the-shoulder sweater. Dark brown corduroy mini skirt. Sheer stockings patterned in deep burgundy roses and chunky brown boots. A burnt-orange bow gives her loose waves the only bright splash of color, and her brown tote hangs casually from one shoulder.

My girlfriend looks like cheeky autumn. She’s currently staring at an armed kidnapper like he mildly inconvenienced her afternoon. My chest loosens for the first time since I saw Maisie’s photograph.

Joshua raises the gun. “Leave the bag.” Jubilee slides it from her shoulder and sets it beside the door. “Phone too.” She puts it inside—calm, far too calm.

I know that face. It’s not the absence of fear. No, Jubilee is taking fear, stuffing it into a box, and scheduling the nervous breakdown for later. She approaches until Joshua tells her to stop. Her focus crosses to Maisie, then me.

“Where is the ledger?” Joshua asks.

“No.”

He seems genuinely surprised. The gun swings toward me. “Then, choose which one goes first.”

Jubilee shrugs. “You.”

Joshua frowns. “Excuse me?”

“I choose you.”

“I don’t think you’re grasping the seriousness of your situation, Jubilee.”

Her mouth twitches. Oh, Christ. I know that look. “Funny.” She presses her lips together. “I was about to say the same thing about you.” A tiny snort escapes her.

Joshua’s brows lower. And Jubilee folds in half laughing. Not nervous laughter. This is tears-in-her-eyes, can’t-breathe laughter. “I’m sorry.” She waves one hand. “I’m sorry. Give me a second.”

“Jubilee.”

“I know, I know.” She straightens, fails immediately, and doubles again. “You just—Jesus Christ—you really chose the worst possible people to fuck with.”

Maisie is grinning now. I can feel my own mouth pulling upward.

Joshua does not share our enthusiasm. “This is beneath you, Miss York.”

Jubilee wipes beneath one eye. “Buddy, you have no idea where beneath me starts.”

“Enough.”

“No, no. Stay with me. This is important.” She points toward Maisie. “You see that woman?” Joshua stares at her. “She owns a cat café.” Maisie inclines her head, feral gleam in her eye. “She’s also a psychopath.”