𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 ✓ [𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐎𝐍𝐄]

✎chapter nineteen × dangerous dumbwaiters*

ɴᴀᴘʟᴇs, ɪᴛᴀʟʏ
ᴇʟᴇvᴇɴ ᴏ'ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴘᴍ
ʟᴀᴜʀᴇɴᴛ ᴇsᴛᴀᴛᴇ

━─━────༺༻────━─━

We move through the halls casually, as if we belong there and have no intention of leaving. Armando picked up a glass of champagne a while ago and I've been anxiously sipping it.

We're more or less alone, standing in a glowing foyer. Occasionally, a server or guest passes. Men in black suits and earpieces are stationed at every exit and the shatterproof windows are locked.

Angelo hangs up the call he just took.

"Everything's ready." He says quietly, looking around.

Armando nods. "Now we just need a way out."

"I'm thinking." Angelo says, an anxious edge in his voice.

"You spent every summer here as a kid," Armando mentions. "Don't you know about some secret entrances or something?"

"Unless you're talking about windows, no. This place is air tight."

"In that case, now is a good time to tell you I may have gotten word about Delafonse being here." Armando smiles sheepishly.

"Yes, now's perfect. It's not like that information wouldn't have been vital about ten minutes ago." Angelo scoffed. Suddenly his eyes light up.

"What is it?" I ask.

"The map. Valentin's father has an office in the west wing. There's this massive floor plan of the entire estate. If there's a way out it'll be on that map."

Armando nods and we set off down the hall, looking inconspicuously nonchalant. I take a final swig of my champagne and place it on a passing service cart.

We walk up the stairs and at the top two guards are stationed.

"Come posso aiutarla?" One asks.

"Stavo solo mostrando questi due nelle camere da letto." Armando replies, with a wink. "Il mio lavoro qui è finito."

Angelo eyes him carefully as he travels back down the stairs. I watch nervously after him, but Angelo is quick to take my hand and we continue walking down the hall.

"What's happening?"

"Armando took one for the team. If they think we're just two lovers doing something naughty in one of the rooms, we'll decrease suspicions."

I nod and try not to look back at the guards.

We turn another corner so we're out of sight and finally push through a set of doors.

The room is dark and it takes my eyes a while to adjust, but eventually I can make out my surroundings.

It's a large and old - almost regency like - office space. A large oak desk, large curtained windows, a chaise and couch set and a fireplace. And above that fireplace, a large framed floorplan.