Page 22 of Darkest Deception

Once I am sure there is nothing of the sort, I take my seat in front of the older man.

“Seven hundred million British pounds.” For now.

Once the two-hour meeting is over, I am ready to step out, but I pause.

“The woman who came in before me. What did she come to do?”

Mr Daveport looks up from his computer screen to fix his uncertain gaze on me. He hesitates, but I let an easy smile widen my lips. My head turns towards Blaze, who is looking at him, too.

“Don’t worry. Your secret will stay safe with me. I’ll transfer a good amount of money in exchange for this information.”

He nods, and it irks me that it was that easy. Not a single fight in him or any hint of morals.

Maybe he isn’t good enough to be doing my business. I need to keep an eye out for him.

“She came to take money out of her bank and transfer it to a shell account for safekeeping.”

I frown. “Why?”

“Ms Ambrose has been saving money and setting it aside for over a year now. She mentioned she wants to give it to someone, but I am unaware of whom the intended recipient is. She did tell me that she doesn’t want her name anywhere on the accounts because of her position. It wouldn’t go well for her if this were ever to leak. Which I trust it won’t.” He gives me a pointed look.

I nod. I wouldn’t tell a soul, but none of that answers my question.

I’ll just ask her myself.

Tonight. I will be at her house tonight.

Just like every night.

I find that my thoughts around her take a completely different turn, but enough milling about.

The note I left her was supposed to be anything but sweet, and I know she isn’t stupid to think it was. It was a way of saying she won’t ever get to hear those words from anyone.

I will be there to destroy you tonight, Ambrose.

7

“You will go to this dinner, and you will let Darci sweep you off your feet. It’s the only way for us to get invited to the parties your father couldn’t get into,” my mother says.

I flinch.

She wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, she loved me and my sister and was an amazing mother. But living within the high walls of the oppressive Torre mansion has led to many depressive episodes. While I was working at the company with Dad, Aurora would come over and stay for a few days to help her through them, and when she slept, I would constantly check on Mum to make sure she was all right.

I monitored the food the staff prepared to ensure it was made to help her keep her strength. My efforts were silent. When Mum got better, Aurora never came back. She got out at the right time.

When Mum was well, it was my role to go to parties with her, ones she attended to escape the confinement of the mansion. I got used to it, but I was still a mere puppet for both of my parents.

Then Dad’s death happened, and Mum’s mental health took another hit. The minute she saw Aurora in the house, she dropped the blame on her and Remo.

I had seen Remo come out of the house the day of Father’s death and had a feeling he had something to do with it, but there was no evidence, so I never pressed it. Remo wasn’t the only dangerous man my dad had made deals with. Aurora left that day and never looked back. That was months ago. I used to see her regularly at family dinners, but now I don’t.

There is silence in the house now.

Maddening silence that leaves me desperate for any kind of distraction.

“But why?”

Leysa, my mother, whose blond hair is just like mine, turns her sharp eyes to me. She wears a classic white dress paired with a sparkling diamond neck piece and matching heels.

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