Page 262 of The Devil's Fire

“Thank you for keeping them.” I gave him a kiss and placed them safely inside again. I just hoped that one day we would be lucky. “Is that the Tiffany Yellow Diamond?!” I let out a small gasp of happiness as I recognized the jewelry box.

“Yes, it was still in your room when we cleaned your house.”

“Thank God! I thought I had lost it.” I said, relieved. “Keep it in there. I don’t want to be responsible for losing fifty million dollars.”

We returned to his desk as he handed me the envelope.

“You fixed the insurance for the boutique?” I asked when I read the documents.

“I did.”

“Thank you, but the numbers are a bit off, don’t you think?” I showed him the documents, but he didn’t look as he asked me.

“Why are they off?”

“You’re kidding me, right? I’m pretty sure the boutique is nowhere worth this much!” I gaped at him. “I know you made sure I got a nice settlement for it, but even this is too much. Did you write a check?” I eyed him suspiciously, finding it hard to believe the valuation on paper matched the actual value of the boutique.

“I didn’t write a check. Keep looking.” Damiano urged. I went to read how they had concluded the amount of insurance money.

“It still doesn’t make sense.” I mumbled, as I frowned while reading. “I know we did well, but we were nowhere near this value.” I looked at him in confusion.

“You’re right, it doesn’t make sense. I did make sure you got a nice settlement, so you wouldn’t have to worry about it. The numbers are off because your mother used the boutique for laundering money.”

“Sorry, what?” I shook my head, hoping I heard him wrong.

“Your mother was involved in money laundering. I believe it’s connected to those who were after her. I’m convinced they are the same people who burned down the boutique to get rid of any evidence.” He explained.

I let out a sigh, rubbing my forehead. I felt a wave of overwhelm as I continued to uncover new information about my mother.

“Althaia.” Damiano drew me into him when I had been silent for a while.

“I’m okay. It’s just… I feel like I don’t even know her.” My voice was heavy with sadness. I rested my head on his chest as he soothingly rubbed my back.

"I know, baby." He whispered softly. “She probably had a good reason and did whatever she could to keep you safe.”

“There is still nothing new that can help us?”

“Nothing yet, but don’t worry about it for now. I will tell you if there is anything useful.”

“Thank you. Well, I should get going now. Are you giving me a ride to my dad’s house?”

“Gio and Luca will take you there. They are waiting for you. I have something I need to prepare, but I will come and get you.”

“Oh shit, they have been waiting for me all this time?”

He nodded, and I made a face, knowing Giovanni would have something to say about being kept waiting.

As we walked out to the driveway, sure enough, Giovanni already had a scowl on his face.

“Please, take your time. It’s not like we have been waiting for you to come out.” Giovanni glared at me. “It’s bad enough that I have to babysit your annoying ass once again.” He continued to complain.

“Drop the act, Gio. I know you like me.” I grinned, and he shot me a disgusted look.

“I really don’t.”

“Yes, you do! Your secret has been revealed to me. You care about me.” I continued to tease him, prompting a frown.

“I don’t know who’s filled your head with nonsense, but I don’t.”

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