I reached beneath the buffet table, grabbed my diaper bag, and pulled out the small black phone hidden under bottles and folded blankets.

His eyes followed my hand.

“What is that?” he demanded.

I pressed one button.

A vibration confirmed the signal had been sent.

Beyond the manicured lawn, past the side of the luxury house, dark silhouettes began appearing behind the front gates.

Daniel took one slow step toward me.

I raised my eyes to his.

“Did you really think I didn’t know?”

Chapter 2 - THE WRONG WOMAN KNEELING

The black SUVs stopped beyond the iron gates, but no one got out.

That frightened Daniel more than if a dozen men had rushed the backyard.

He stared through the glass doors leading into the house, trying to see the driveway from where he stood. His arms slowly unfolded. His expensive watch flashed in the sunlight as his hand tightened into a fist.

“What did you do?” he asked.

I wrapped a clean dish towel around my burned hand.

The fabric touched my skin, and my stomach turned.

“I called for help.”

Evelyn stepped over a broken serving plate.

“From whom?”

Her voice was sharp, but there was strain beneath it now.