32
The muted thump of bass from the nightclub outside reverberated against the walls of the cramped restroom. I gripped the sink's edge, my mind in a whirl. Marco Salvani. Present. It felt as if fate had thrown a curveball into our meticulously arranged plans.
"Daniel," I whispered into my concealed microphone. "Marco Salvani is actually here, and it seems he's acquainted with Gregor."
Daniel's response came through, steady but tinged with calculated irritation. "Not unexpected. Birds of a feather. Stick to the strategy, Daphne. His presence doesn't alter our course."
Before I could reply, a gentle tap on the door startled me. My pulse quickened as I unlocked and cracked open the door. It was Blake.
He entered, his expression already set with determination. "What's the holdup? You've been absent too long."
"Marco Salvani," I explained in hushed tones. "He placed a bid on me, Blake. A hundred grand. This wasn't part of our plan."