Chapter 6 - The Trap is Sprung
A rare, genuine smile spread across Cassian Vale's face. It transformed his harsh, scarred features entirely, making him look dangerously handsome.
"Lydia," he murmured, his voice rich and low. "You are proving to be the most valuable investment I've ever made."
"I'm not an investment," I reminded him, keeping my tone crisp. "I'm a partner. Which means when this is over, I want a full written release from this marriage, a clean financial trust for my mother, and a ticket to anywhere I want to go."
Cassian’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a deep, calculating look. "Fair terms. But first, we need that red ledger."
"You can't just send your men to break into the estate," I pointed out. "The police and federal agents are probably surrounding the Aldridge property right now."
"Which is why we aren't going to break in," Cassian said, standing up from his desk and walking over to the bar in the corner of the study. He poured two fingers of amber whiskey into a crystal glass, offering it to me. I shook my head, and he took a slow sip. "We're going to let Margaret Aldridge bring it to us."
I frowned, puzzling over his words. "Margaret doesn't know the combination to that safe. Only Richard does."
"Richard was arrested twenty minutes ago at his country club," Cassian revealed, setting his glass down with a sharp clink. "Margaret is currently alone in that house, frantic, desperate, and realization is setting in that she has no leverage left. She knows Evelyn is stranded in Miami without money. She knows her husband is in federal holding."
He walked over to my chair, leaning against the edge of the desk just inches from me.
"She is going to call you, Lydia," Cassian said quietly. "She thinks you're a weak, frightened maid who can be manipulated. She's going to beg you to intercede with me on her family's behalf."
Right on cue, the smartphone Cassian had given me earlier began to vibrate violently against the glass desktop.
The caller ID displayed a number I knew by heart: MARGARET ALDRIDGE.
Cassian looked down at the flashing screen, then up at me. "Do you want to handle this, or should I?"
I picked up the phone. I slid my finger across the screen, set it on speaker, and placed it firmly on the desk between us.
"Lydia?!" Margaret’s voice screeched through the speaker, hysterical and breathless. "Lydia, thank God you picked up! You have to help us! The police took Richard! They’re freezing everything!"
I looked at Cassian. He gave me a slow, approving nod.
"You have the wrong number, Mrs. Aldridge," I said, my voice as cold and smooth as polished marble. "This line belongs to Mrs. Vale."
A dead silence fell over the phone line. Margaret gasped, the sound ragged and suffocating.
"Lydia... please," Margaret sobbed, her aristocratic composure entirely obliterated. "I know I was harsh with you this morning! I know I made a mistake! But we gave your mother a home for ten years! You owe us!"
"I scrubbed your toilets for six years, Margaret," I replied, dropping the formal 'Mrs.' for the first time in my life. "My mother worked until her knees bled to keep your gardens pristine. We owe you nothing."
"Listen to me!" Margaret pleaded desperately. "Richard has a safe in his study! There are documents inside that can ruin Cassian Vale! If you help me get them out, I can trade them for Richard's freedom! I'll pay you a million dollars, Lydia! You'll never have to work again!"
I looked up at Cassian. His eyes were burning with a dark, lethal intelligence.
"Where is the key to the safe, Margaret?" I asked quietly.
"In the lining of Richard's golf bag in the hall closet!" Margaret blurted out instantly. "The combination is Evelyn's birthday! Please, Lydia, go to Cassian! Tell him I have the key! Tell him to stop the federal prosecutors!"
I reached out my hand and pressed the red button, cutting off her screeching voice mid-sentence.
I looked at Cassian. "Evelyn's birthday is October 14th."
Cassian turned to Marcus, who was standing quietly near the doorway. "Marcus. Take four men. Retrieve the red ledger from the safe before the federal authorities execute their search warrant at six o'clock."
"Right away, boss," Marcus said, turning on his heel and exiting the study.
Cassian turned back to me, looking down at me with an expression that made my pulse race.
"You didn't hesitate," he remarked softly. "She offered you a million dollars to betray me."
"A million dollars from a thief is worth nothing," I said, standing up from my chair to face him. "And I don't break my contracts."
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Cassian stepped closer, his broad frame towering over me. For a second, I thought he was going to reach out and touch my face. Instead, he reached past me, picking up his glass of whiskey.
"You're an extraordinary woman, Lydia Carter," he whispered. "It's a pity this marriage is only a business arrangement."
