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The silence in the private ballroom was absolute. Graham’s jaw remained rigid, the muscles ticking beneath his skin as Mia’s words hung in the heavy air. / Chapter 13 / 20

Chapter 13 - The Blackmail Package

Before Declan could trace the override signal, his encrypted satellite phone buzzed violently in his tactical vest. He pulled it out, pressing it to his ear while sweeping his weapon across the empty shadows of the corridor.

"Shaw," he answered, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

"Hello, Declan," a synthesized, digitally altered voice hissed through the speaker. "Did you enjoy the little note in the cell? Graham sends his regards, though he’s currently enjoying a much more luxurious view than the one you provided."

Declan froze. "Who is this?"

"Someone who holds the leash of your precious little niece," the voice replied smoothly. "Check your secure email inbox. Don't try to trace the call, or the nanny cam feed in the sunroom will become very... graphic."

Declan’s heart stopped. He spun on his heel, sprinting back toward the main residential wing with a speed that defied caution. He didn't bother with the elevator; he took the grand staircase three steps at a time, his chest burning as he burst through the double doors of the sunroom.

Aaron was already there, standing frozen in the center of the room, staring at an empty play mat.

"Where is she?" Declan demanded, his voice cracking with a raw, primal terror that hadn't surfaced since the day he thought Aaron had died.

"She was here a second ago," Aaron stammered, his face drained of all color. "Mia went to get water from the kitchen. I turned around to check the perimeter monitors, and when I looked back... the window was open, and the music box was on the floor."

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Declan rushed to the wide-open French doors leading out to the garden. Lying in the damp morning grass was the silver music box he had gifted Penny two years ago. The lid was open, playing its tinny, melancholic tune to the empty wind. Tied to its handle was a small, black USB flash drive.

Mia stumbled out from the kitchen, dropping a glass of water that shattered into a thousand glittering pieces across the marble floor. When she saw the empty play space and the open window, she let out a scream that tore straight through Declan's soul.

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