Page 71 of Dark Gambit: The Play

"How are we going to fake her death without it looking suspicious? She's twenty-seven and healthy."

After Kian had told him about the heart condition idea, Marcel had to agree that it sounded plausible. "Sofia told me that healthcare is practically nonexistent for the humans in the compound. Her grandmother died of heart failure, so that will fit perfectly. They will assume it was genetic. If I haven't unintentionally induced her already, perhaps it would be a good idea to fake her death before giving it a try. If she enters transition, she might be out for a few days, and she won't be able to communicate with her contact."

"That's not a bad idea. Tomorrow, have her contact Valstar and start the story. If she enters transition, we will implement the heart failure scenario and send our condolences along with a bill."

54

SOFIA

Sofia put her book back on the nightstand and pulled the blanket over her head. The Spanish romance novel was all about rich people hopping on private jets, traveling from one exotic location to another, and staying at luxurious hotels. The love talk was too flowery, the love scenes too unrealistic, and it all made her feel like Cinderella before meeting the prince.

She was stuck in a bunker, her so-called prince had left her hours ago and hadn't returned yet, and before leaving, he'd asked her about her lovers and hadn't believed her when she'd told him she'd never had sex with a pureblood or a hybrid.

Her story wasn't a fairytale, and it wasn't going to turn into one.

Maybe if she fell asleep, she could dream about a different world where the prince didn't doubt her, where she could keep her job at the university, where both of her parents loved her and cared for her, and where an evil overlord didn't threaten to torture those she cared about if she failed him.

Dream on.

She chuckled.That's what I'm trying to do.

When the knock sounded on the bedroom door, she tossed the blanket aside and got to her feet. "Coming."

"May I come in?" Marcel said from the other side.

Had she just dreamt him up?

"Sure. Prisoners don't get to refuse their jailers entry."

He opened the door. "What got you in a bad mood?"

Her sour expression must have given him pause because he didn't even attempt to get closer.

Sofia was in no mood to smile to make him feel better. "Nothing. What's up?" She straightened the blanket over the bed and tucked the corners in to make it look nice.

Being mad didn't mean she wanted her prison space to look messy. Keeping it neat was the only thing she could control right now.

He shook his head. "Even I know thatnothingis not a good answer. Did Eleanor say something to upset you?"

"Not at all."

Eleanor was the only friend she had right now, and out of all Sofia's jailers, she treated her the best. She'd promised to bring Emmett with her later so they could all have dinner together and talk about Kra-ell stuff. But dinner was many hours away, and until then, all Sofia had for company was that damn romance novel that she really didn't want to keep reading. It only made it painfully obvious that her own romance story was severely lacking.

She finally understood the appeal of bully romances.

Compared to the jerks in those books, average guys like Marcel looked better than they actually were.

Not that he was average. He was handsome, intelligent, and deep down, he had a good heart. But he was still no prince.

"So what is it?" Marcel asked. "Is it something I said?"

She sat on the bed and picked up her book. "Did you talk to your boss about allowing me to attend the retreat?"

The sheepish expression on his face was her answer. "I forgot. I'll do it right now." He turned on his heel and walked out of the bedroom.

Sofia let out a breath and let her shoulders sag. It wasn't smart to antagonize her jailer. Sometimes he was nice to her, so maybe if she was nice in return, she would get more nice out of him.

But that wasn't how it was supposed to work between lovers.