Page 95 of Ruined By Blood
The guard nods, already turning back to his newspaper. People see what they expect to see.
Outside, the morning air is cold and sharp. Charlotte inhales deeply, as if she hasn't tasted fresh air in years. Maybe she hasn't.
"This way," I murmur, guiding her toward our waiting van where Daniel sits behind the wheel, engine running.
Charlotte hesitates at the sight of the vehicle, her body going rigid. "I remember the last time I was put in a car. He said it was for treatment too."
"Mrs. Sterling," I say quietly, meeting her gaze directly. "I give you my word. We're taking you somewhere safe. You can trust me."
Something in my voice must convince her because she nods once and allows me to help her into the backseat. I slide in beside her while Alessio takes the front passenger seat.
"Go," I tell Daniel as Noah and Matteo peel off toward the second vehicle.
Daniel pulls smoothly away from the curb, driving exactly at the speed limit. Nothing draws attention like speeding away from a scene.
Charlotte stares out the window, watching the facility shrink in the distance. Tears slide silently down her cheeks.
We arrive at the mansion, the van rolling to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Charlotte Sterling sits beside me.
"We're here," I say, keeping my voice gentle. "This is my family home. You'll be safe."
She nods, a small, uncertain movement. I notice how her hands tremble slightly in her lap.
Noah opens the door, and I step out first, scanning the perimeter before offering Charlotte my hand. She hesitates for just a moment before taking it, her fingers cold against my palm.
"Alessio," I call over my shoulder, "make sure Dr. Romano is ready if we need him."
"Already here," Alessio confirms. "Waiting in the east wing. Daniel informed me."
I guide Charlotte through the massive front doors, feeling her falter slightly beside me as we enter the soaring foyer.
"This way," I say, leading her toward a guest suite we've prepared. It's the one furthest from Damiano's office. Quiet, private, with a view of the gardens. "We'll get you settled, and then we can talk."
Once inside the suite, Ginerva appears with a tray of tea and small sandwiches.
"Thank you," she whispers, her voice still rough from disuse.
When Ginerva leaves, Charlotte perches on the edge of a chair, her back straight, her posture revealing years of classical training beneath the institutional damage.
"Mrs. Sterling," I begin, then correct myself. "Charlotte. I know this is overwhelming, but we need to move quickly to help Sienna."
"Where is she?" The question comes out stronger than anything else she's said.
"With Henry," I tell her again, pills must have caused something in her memory. "He took her back yesterday."
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "I need to understand something. Henry has made countless enemies over the years. Why keep you alive? Why not just?—"
"Kill me?" she finishes, a bitter smile touching her lips. "Because I'm worth more to him alive than dead."
I wait, giving her space to continue.
"My family..." she begins, then takes a steadying breath. "My family had money. Old money. When I married Henry, my parents were already gone, and I was the sole beneficiary of a trust fund worth hundreds of millions."
Understanding dawns. "He needed you to access it."
She nods. "The terms of the trust require that I be alive to authorize distributions. If I die, everything goes to charitable foundations my grandfather selected. Henry can't touch a penny."
"So he kept you drugged but alive."
