The room went so still I could hear the clock ticking.

Damian stood in the doorway, sharp suit, sharper expression. His eyes cut from his mother to me, then to the cheque in my hand.

“What is going on here?” he demanded.

Mrs. Salvatore spoke first.“I’ve never seen anything like this. This woman, she’s a snake! I told you she wasn’t someone to be trusted!”

“Look,” she continued, “I offered her ten million to leave us alone. She accepted. What does that tell you?”

Damian turned to me. I raised my hand in protest.

“I didn’t—”

“What is that in your hand then?”

Before I could defend myself, his mother...