Page 84 of Devil's Claim

“No, I am not. The reason? Because up until now, we weren’t in the business of buying and selling diamonds or any other precious jewel. Plus, in tossing out very expensive baubles to several international authorities, that would keep them off our backs.”

That the story delighted me was surprising, but I chuckled until I noticed his face had gone dark. “Wait. You don’t think I lured you to my apartment, do you?”

“A part of me believed it was possible, but something tells me you’re simply a pawn in a very dangerous game. I need an answer, Christine. Why aren’t you speaking to your parents? After all, you did intern for the man during high school.”

He was obviously pleased with himself that somehow, he’d found out about my after school and summer jobs. I bit my lower lip, anger getting in the way of everything else. “Do you also know my shoe size and favorite candy?”

His halfhearted laugh made me want to slap him across the face, but I refrained. “I’m certain you learned a great deal about his business and his activities. My guess that your hatred for the man took flight during that time.”

I had to give him credit. He was damn good at figuring out aspects of my life I’d tried to ignore.

“Fine and you’re right. I hate my father and what he did, including the way he kept my mother trapped. I saw things, including the way he treated people who worked for him and that appalled me. You have no idea how the success changed him. You also have no idea the kind of person he turned into.”

“Trust me, Christine. I can easily imagine.”

“I knew certain activities were illegal. I wanted nothing to do with the man or his money. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. My parents knew that as well. My father all but forbid me to go to college if that meant taking education classes. When I asked why, he said because it wasn’t my place to become a teacher. I had no clue what he was talking about. It wasn’t until later I realized he wanted to marry me off to some son of a foreign businessman.”

He laughed. “Interesting. Solidifying a business relationship.”

“Much like what you want with me.” I folded my arms and he took a deep breath, this time being the one to look away.

“It is different, Christine.”

“Is it really? I begged my mother for years to leave him, but she refused. Even when things became physically abusive, she stayed. Her reasoning was that she’d fallen in love with him when she was fifteen and couldn’t just walk away. Do you believe that crock of shit? So I walked away from my parents and paid for college myself without money from them, or the trust fund they set up for me years ago. Dear old Daddy cut me off. In truth? Even as poor as I am, I’d do it again.”

“A tragic story,” he said. I heard the anger in his tone and noticed the clenching of his fists. “What about Malcolm? Did you know he was Skyler’s son?”

“Yes, I did. It’s not like he can hide from the fact. His parents own half of Miami given the number of successful jewelry stores. I wasn’t naïve enough to think he wasn’t talking to them, but at that point, it had been years since I’d even spoken to my father. My mother called a couple times, and I sensed she was worriedabout me. Malcolm was sweet and loving at first. He acted like he wanted no part of his father’s company. Maybe I was naïve thinking that love could conquer all. I’m forced to live with that every day, but I won’t allow Maverick to be subjected to that kind of life. He deserves so much better.”

Kruz inched closer, never blinking, a scowl on his face as his eyes searched mine. “Did he try and get you to reconcile with your parents?”

“Yes. But not right away. Now that I know the truth, I can see he was trying to get me to call my dad. His gentle nagging almost worked. Now that I’ve had years to reflect, I realize the asshole should have gone into acting. He said my father was hurting, at least according to his father, was missing me and sorry for how he’d acted.” I looked him directly in the eyes. “My gut told me something was off, which was another reason why I broke off the relationship with him. He was just playing me as well. The marriage was never going to happen. He was hired to get me back in the fold and when I cut ties, he lost his gravy train. The stupid asshole went through money like water. My guess is he needed the cash flow.”

“Blood money,” he growled.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes. Unbelievable.

“My guess is whatever they had planned was more complicated than that. Perhaps we’ll never know every detail, but it obviously involves the business between Jamal Fassi, Skyler Worthington, and your father. Since Fassi has been underground until recently, it’s possible whatever plan they had in motion was put on hold. But I do think the night Fassi’s men found us likely had little to do with the fact I’d come into town and everything to do with you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Meaning, your friend Tonya was Fassi’s mistress. She was supposedly on her way to see you that night we met. Up until then, I had no idea you existed. The tip we were given led us to your apartment community.”

“Tonya was supposed to come over. She was bringing me something for the cake but had to bail out. I didn’t even think anything about it. So what is your point?”

“Malcolm took Maverick because he knew that on the night I met you, Fassi’s soldiers were going to kidnap you.”

My heart began thumping in my chest. “What? I don’t believe that. Are you telling me that my own father arranged to have me kidnapped?”

“That’s what it appears.”

I was close enough I reacted without thinking, lifting my arm to slap him hard across the face. He caught my hand, cocking his head.

“There’s no need for you to resort to violence. I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“That’s a terrible thing to accuse my father of. What are you trying to do?”

I turned away, immediately regretting taking my frustration out on Kruz. And why? Because my father had turned into a monster himself. I knew it very well: the emotional and verbal abuse, the ability to derail my life no matter what I was trying to do. All of it.

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