the other line. A man never cared enough to ask the question at all. “What have you decided?”
He must have recognized my voice or used common sense to figure out my identity. I was probably one of the few people in the world who would actually speak to him that way. “I’ve decided nothing.”
I wouldn’t give him any more time. He was only being brave because we were speaking on the phone and not in person. If only he knew I’d fucked his wife in her bed just a few nights ago. I’d have no problem sharing that information now—but I couldn’t risk her safety. “I’ll be at your place tonight at ten. Have your answer ready.”
“Step foot on my property—”
“And what?” I asked, amused. “Hire all the men you can find. But we both know it’ll never be enough.” If we met at a neutral location, he could have it wired with explosives. But meeting at his property ensured that wouldn’t happen. And I only gave him a few hours to prepare for the meeting. It wasn’t enough time to get much done. “We’ll have this conversation in the same place as last time—and I want your wife there.”
“She stays out of this—”
“Either she’s there, or I’ll make her be there.”
Lucian turned quiet.
“The Skull Diamond or the partnership. You’d better have an answer when I arrive.”
30
Cassini
I knew something serious was happening when the entire property was swarming with armed guards. There were at least double the number of men on duty.
Did that mean Lucian knew Balto had been here?
He hadn’t questioned me or punished me, so that seemed unlikely.
Lucian barged into my room without notice. It was the first time he’d acknowledged my existence in over a week. He hadn’t asked me to share meals with him or come to his bed. But now he seemed to have bounced back. “We have company coming tonight. I want you to look your best.”
“What kind of company?” Lucian never had people over. When he socialized, it was always outside the house.
“Just do as I ask.”
I wanted to slug him in the stomach every time he made a comment like that. “What time?”
“Ten.”
“Ten?” I asked in surprise, thinking that was oddly late to be having someone at the house.
“You heard me.” He turned back to the door.
“Anything else I need to know—”
“Just be ready and be quiet.”
I wore a backless black dress with heavy makeup. I had no idea what to expect, but I looked my best just as Lucian asked. I’d have to sit there during a business meeting and pretend to be the well-behaved wife even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Criminals always backstabbed each other, so why hadn’t someone backstabbed Lucian yet?
I wished Balto would kill him.
Before ten, I walked into the living room and spotted Lucian sitting at the table on the patio.
Maria noticed me. “His Grace would you like to join him outside.”
I hated hearing the servants call him that. He wasn’t the pope or a king. He was just a smart man who knew how to make a couple of bucks. “Alright.” I walked outside to find Lucian alone, the table empty of drinks and food.
I sat beside him.
He didn’t turn to look at me. He had armed men posted all over the patio and the land of his estate.
My breathing immediately changed because I could sense the danger. There was definitely something happening that evening, and not something good. When I glanced at Lucian, I could tell he was distressed. All his armed men didn’t make him feel safe. He was on his own property, but he still didn’t feel comfortable.
I wanted to ask what was going on, but I was smart enough not to.
Headlights flashed as a car pulled into the roundabout. The engine was audible until it was killed right in front of the house. Men exited the car, and several Hummers followed in behind it. Men stepped out of the Hummers next, all heavily armed and wearing bulletproof vests.
My pulse quickened, and I wished Balto were there. Even if it were just him alone, I would feel much safer. Right now, I was in the center of a battlefield. Men were armed on both sides, and I had no idea why the war was even being fought.
A man walked up the stairs of the patio flanked by four armed men. When his figure was highlighted by the lights of the porch, I could see his countenance clearly. Showing sharp cheekbones,