“You want to talk about you? We can do that.”
Her pale throat rippled as she swallowed hard.
“You have his gold,” she chided. “Why do you need me?”
“Because you have information I want.”
“What kind of information? I promise, I know nothing.”
“From my intel, you were at home. A lot. Which means you have access to your father’s office. You see what he does in there.”
“Why am I being blamed for something he’s done?”
“Answer the question.”
“Dad shuts the door. He’s doesn’t do much in there as far as I can tell. He has an office elsewhere. He’s obsessed with his work.”
“And what does he do?” I wanted to see if she knew, carefully studying her face for clues to her insight.
“He deals in foreign sales.”
“And the commodity?”
“I’m not telling you one more thing until you let me call home.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
She leaned forward, her head cocking to the side. “Who are you anyway? Really? You take me from my house. Steal from my father. You threaten me . . . ”
Reaching for the hair on her nape, I scrunched it up and yanked her head back, leaning in to glare down at her.
“I’m someone you should be scared of.”
I let that sink in before taking a step back.
She was quiet for a minute, but then her back straightened as if she was trying to make herself appear taller. Stronger.
“And yet . . .” she smirked. “I have no clue who you are. If you were such a bad man, wouldn’t I know your name?”
“I run this city.”
“Pretty sure it’s my father who does that.” Her brow quirked up. “You don’t even sound like you’re from here. You sound like some Ivy League northerner.”
“Appearances can be deceiving. Look at you. Where’s your accent?” I said pointedly. “Oh, that’s right. Your father has hidden you away in your castle all this time.”
“Cage,” I thought she muttered under breath, but I couldn’t be sure.
“Just talk and this will be over, because if you don’t, you won’t like the outcome.
“You want me to tremble in fear and tell you something. Well, I hate to break it you, I don’t know shit.”
“You think you have no need to be afraid, but that’s where you’re wrong. I’m the one person you should be afraid of, and you know why?”
“No. But I bet you’re going to tell me.”
“Because I have nothing left to lose . . .” I let my words settle in.
She tried to act like they didn’t affect her, but I watched her. Watched as her jaw went rigid and trembled slightly. Good.
“We’re done. You may go now.”
I held her stare, triumphant at having caught a living, breathing Glassman in my snare. But then she surprised me as she smiled broadly.
“The next thing I break in this house will be bigger than a mirror.”
“So much as touch one more item, and I will break you. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Her voice came out breathy.
“Do you remember how to get back to your room, or do you need me to arrange an escort?”
“Fuck you.”
“That’s what I thought. Now get the hell out.” I watched her run from the room.
I felt my intrigue rise.
What was this woman capable of?
Cassius
It was done.
My first strike against the Glassmans felt fucking fantastic. Anya had left my office looking like she was filled with terror. Seeing her fear felt like a victory.
How many times had I imagined this? Played it out in my mind in every detail. What I hadn’t expected was bringing one of them here. Toying with one of them.
Back in my study, after sending Anya to her room, I calmed my thoughts and got back to work.
Ensuring that Calvetti Fleet, my father’s business, continued to thrive.
With me at the helm, I’d turned this company into a multibillion-dollar empire.
It had been a grueling six months, with all our tankers being fitted with environmentally friendly double hulls. I’d soon be able to go after the sweet spot of the tanker cycle. Lloyds had been right about predicting my company would become the most influential in the industry. All I had to do was outwork the competition.
Dad was here, in the décor and furnishings of this office. I’d honored his memory and changed little. Wanting to keep his memory alive. From the photos of him and Mom on the walls to the family captured in snapshots from earlier years.
Time had stopped in this room—paralyzed by this need to remember.
Remember what he’d stolen.
Sitting before my iMac, scanning my emails, sending off a few, and answering urgent questions that Cassandra Harding, my CEO, couldn’t answer. I let her micromanage when I was busy with other more pressing details.
Like now—having a Glassman beneath my roof.
Which was understandably distracting.
Not to mention she was extraordinarily beautiful. A decadent gift I’d exploit to wreak hell on her father.
After he’d torn his hair out in frustration and her mom broke down from losing her daughter. It was a decent start.
Searching my contacts, I hunted down the best person to offload the gold to and then turn it into liquid cash. The bullion deal would need some finagling. After all, it was engraved with its unique marking and would be easy to track. They’d have to melt it down and reconstitute it. But it was possible. The value would drop, but it would be worth the trouble.
Ridley pushed open the door—so much for stealing a few hours of peace. He wore that gray suit he had tailored for him on Bracken Street. The one he liked to wear when he saw his best clients.
He was also wearing his familiar pissed-off expression. The bastard got hazard pay. What more did he want?
“I’m busy,” I snapped.
“It will just take a second.”
I continued typing. “No.”
“Did you kill him?”
He was obviously referring to the man who’d tipped me off to the fact Glassman was spending more time in the Garden District. The same man who’d gatecrashed my sister’s wedding.
“We were going to let the police handle him, remember?” he said.
“Oh, that’s what you meant.”
He snapped his hand up, not wanting to hear any more.
“Thanks for stopping by.” I threw in a wave.
“Were you in the Garden District this morning?”
I feigned having to think about it.
“There’s a rumor,” he began slowly, “I know it’s not true. Because it would be fucking reckless.”
“You have to admit, I wear reckless so damn well.”
“You kidnapped Anya Glassman?”
Sitting back, I studied him, relishing his discomfort with the idea.
He looked horrified. “Glassman will come after her.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Right, because that makes perfect sense to set a trap for a psychopathic arms dealer!”
“Enjoy the show. Should be fun. I’ll even provide popcorn if you’re lucky.”