diamonds will end up in the bottom of the river.”
“I’ll be there.” Doyle hung up.
I blew out a breath. “He’s coming.”
We all headed downstairs. I was alive with nerves. If anything went wrong…
We reached the bottom level.
Boone scanned around. “I’ll make myself scarce. Signal if you need me.”
“Thanks, Boone,” Liam said.
He shot us a small salute, and melted into the darkness.
I turned to Liam. He took a small case from his pocket and opened it.
“Mav gave me these.” They looked like simple, silver stud earrings. “They’re high-tech recorders. They also transmit. They’ll record everything Doyle says and upload it to the cloud.”
I slipped the studs into my earlobes.
“Liam, I don’t suppose I can convince you to wait in the car?” Or better yet go home. Get somewhere safe.
He shot me a sharp look. “Fuck, no.”
“Fancy British billionaires are not supposed to get their hands dirty.” Or put themselves in danger. My stomach skittered.
“Your billionaire rulebook is different than mine.” He smoothed my hair back. “It’s going to be fine, Aspen. It’ll be over soon.”
I didn’t feel fine. I couldn’t bear it if he got hurt. My stomach turned over and left me jittery. I knew Boone was somewhere, hiding in the darkness, but it didn’t calm me.
We waited, and finally, I heard the screech of a metal door opening.
Liam held the flashlight pointed downward, and I held the lockbox.
The dark shadow of a man strode in, gripping a leaner, stumbling man beside him.
Doyle stepped closer to the pool of light from a flashlight, yanking his captive with him.
Jake’s face was battered and bruised. The assholes had beaten him. His hands were tied in front of him.
“Jake?” I said, trying to keep my voice level.
He lifted his head and blinked. “Aspen? God, Aspen.”
“It’s going to be all right.” I looked at Doyle.
The leader of Nexus stepped closer, and I got a clear look at him.
Fit body, heavy features, brown hair and wide-set eyes. He was essentially nondescript. Nothing made him stand out. You’d pass him on the street and not give him a second thought.
“Doyle,” I said.
“Aspen Chandler,” he replied.
Ah, someone had gotten busy in the time since I called him.
Doyle jerked his head toward the box. “Show me.”
I flicked open the lid, and Liam aimed the light.
Doyle’s face changed—filling with eagerness, and a hungry light that made me feel edgier. It was a look that bordered on obsession.
“The diamonds,” he breathed.
“From the Great Mogul Diamond,” Liam said.
Doyle’s head jerked up. “You know?”
Liam nodded. “Yes.”
“Finally, after so many years,” Doyle said.
I cocked my head. “What do you mean?”
“My real name isn’t Kristoff Doyle. I was born Kristoff Flegenheimer.”
I gasped. “The same surname as Dutch Schultz.”
“His father and my great-grandfather were brothers—Israel and Moses. They were diamond dealers in Germany. They made a huge find with the Mogul. Then Israel stole it, killed my great-grandfather, and escaped to the USA.” Anger flashed on Doyle’s face. “And my side of the family was plunged into poverty, while Israel’s son turned to crime, and lived a lavish lifestyle. He also cut up the Mogul.” Doyle spat the words and looked at the diamonds. “Now, I’m reclaiming what’s mine.”
“You’re a thief too,” I said angrily. “You’ve destroyed lives. You’re no better than Dutch.”
“Shut up!” Doyle shoved Jake forward and the man fell to his knees.
“Aspen. Liam.” Boone’s quiet murmur in our ears. “He’s got people with him. They’re around the perimeter. They’re moving, but I can’t see what they’re up to.”
Shit. I bit my tongue.
“Where are the photos?” Liam demanded.
Doyle tossed a large, yellow envelope on the ground. “There’s a USB drive inside, as well.”
Liam stared, his jaw hard. “Are all of them in there?”
“Yes.” Doyle’s smile was sharp. “You’ll have to trust me on that, Mr. Kensington.” He looked back at me. “Now give me the box, Ms. Chandler.”
I held it out. I didn’t want to, but I’d have to trust that Boone would nab Doyle on the way out.
Doyle flipped the lid closed. “I’d say it’s been a pleasure doing business with you, but it hasn’t.” He touched his own ear. “Now.”
My pulse went crazy. What the hell was he doing? “Doyle—”
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The building vibrated, and dust rained down on us. Then the walls exploded.
Oh, fuck. I ducked. Liam threw himself over me.
We crouched on the floor. I looked up and saw Doyle disappear into the darkness.
“They’ve detonated explosives!” Boone sounded like he was running. “Get out!”
“Doyle’s on the move.” I had to stop him.
Liam rose and snatched up the envelope with the photos.
“Help