Chapter 6

"Sophie," the old consigliere said.

His voice cut through the absolute silence of the room.

"The Blackwood heir is Sophie."

The gray-pinned guards stopped moving instantly.

Their hands stopped inches from Sophie's arms.

Then both men stepped back, leaving her standing alone in the open space between the table and the heavy oak doors.

Joseph slowly pushed back his leather chair.

He did not shout. He did not slam his fist against the mahogany.

Instead, his slate-gray eyes shifted from the consigliere to Eloise, scanning her face as if his wife had become a stranger.

Heavy, measured footsteps echoed from…