Chapter 8: What Victoria Said
Her voice came through the speaker clear and composed, as if she were calling to confirm a dinner reservation.
"Leo.
I think we should talk."
"I'm listening," he said.
"Not like this.
In person.
I'm at the Lakeview apartment — you know the one.
Come alone and we can resolve this quietly.
For everyone's sake.
Including Lily's."
Leo's eyes moved to Mateo.
Mateo was already typing.
"What exactly are we resolving?" Leo asked.
"You've had a very emotional evening.
You've been given a great deal of information by people who have reasons to mislead you.
I understand why you reacted the way you did.
But there are things you don't know yet, Leo.
Things that will change how you see tonight entirely."
"Tell me now."
A small pause.
"I'd rather do it face to face.
Some conversations need to be had in person."
"Victoria." His voice was even.
"Is your father with you?"
The pause this time was longer.
"My father has nothing to do with this."
"That's interesting," Leo said.
"Because I'm looking at documentation right now that suggests he has everything to do with it."
The quality of the silence changed.
It was no longer the silence of a woman managing a conversation.
It was the silence of a woman recalculating.
"Whatever Elena Vasquez told you," Victoria said, "she is a compromised witness with a personal agenda.
She was removed from that investigation for cause.
Anything she claims to have is fabricated or stolen."
"She has financial records, Victoria."
"She has copies of documents that can be challenged."
"She has your father's signature on a procurement order for the device that k*lled Camila."
The silence this time had a different texture entirely.
When Victoria spoke again, her voice had changed.
The composure was still there, but underneath it, something had shifted.
Something that sounded almost like the real person, finally, after fourteen months.
"Leo.
Listen to me very carefully.
My father is not a man you want as an enemy.
You think you understand what he's capable of.
You don't.
Whatever you're planning to do tonight — the calls you're about to make, the people you're about to contact — stop.
Walk away from it.
Take Lily and go somewhere quiet and let this be over.
That is the only version of this where you both stay safe."
Leo looked at Beatrice.
She held his gaze and gave him nothing — no nod, no signal.
This was his call.
"Are you threatening my daughter?" he asked.
"I am trying to protect her," Victoria said.
"There is a difference."
"No," Leo said.
"There isn't."
He ended the call.
For three seconds, no one moved.
Then Mateo said, "She's at the Lakeview apartment.
I have the address confirmed.
She's not alone — two of her father's people are with her."
"And Kensington himself?"
"Private flight landed at O'Hare forty minutes ago."
Leo looked at Elena.
"Make your call."
Elena picked up her phone.
Leo looked at Mateo.
"I want eyes on Kensington.
Tonight."
Mateo nodded and left the room.
Leo looked at Beatrice.
"Lily needs to leave the estate.
Tonight.
Somewhere Victoria doesn't know."
Beatrice thought for exactly two seconds.
"My sister's house.
In Evanston.
Victoria has never heard her name."
"Can your sister take her tonight?"
"She'll be awake.
She's always awake." Beatrice was already moving toward the door.
"I'll pack what Lily needs.
Give me ten minutes."
"Beatrice."
She stopped.
"You go with her," he said.
"Stay with Lily until I call you."
She looked at him.
"And you?"
"I'll be fine."
"That is not what I asked."
He almost smiled.
It was a very small thing, and it disappeared quickly, but it was there.
"I'll be fine," he said again.
May you like
"Go."
She went.
