Page 62 of Royal Flush

As he turned his head slightly, he nodded. “It wasn’t even giving up all my ideals but pointing fingers at other organizations. It worked, debts cleared. But I couldn’t fucking stay away. Anyway, no matter what you hear, I care about the people of Australia. So many are impoverished, which is not something you hear about. But, as hard as I tried to get my ass out of quicksand, the further I sank.”

“And Sebastian Royal? How does he fit into all of this?”

He seemed even more sheepish. “At the time, he was the only man I could talk to. He knew everything. I trusted him but I should have known better.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning when I started receiving threats my dirty little secret would be revealed, I knew your father was behind it. I was incensed, furious, and couldn’t understand.”

I tossed something out just to get another reason. “So you had him killed.”

He snapped his head toward me, his entire body tense. “Whatever you think of me, Mr. Royal, most of which you’d be justified in doing, I’m not a murderer.”

“Did this mafia group know you confided in him?” I did believe him, which seemed odd.

He took a deep breath. “I honestly have no idea. But I could see that happening. The fuckers had my phone tapped, watched my wife and daughter at all times. He sent me pictures that highlighted what they could do.”

“And you never took those to the police?”

I already knew the answer, his laugh confirming it. “I also didn’t have a death wish. I was trying to salvage my career.”

“What prompted the move here? Hoping a chance in scenery would do the trick?”

I’d seen men look sheepish in my life, some when lies were pointed out to them. But this man suddenly appeared broken. It also seemed as if he’d aged by a dozen or more years and his ruthless dealings had already been tough on his physicality.

“Yes. I owed over a million dollars and the man in charge of the Honoured Society came to me with a one-shot deal to get out of debt and in their good graces.”

“And that was?”

“My daughter. You were right. He wanted my daughter’s hand in marriage. I knew the bastard’s reputation, as a brutal, heartless man. I’m many things, Mr. Royal, but even I won’t sell my daughter to anyone for any amount of money or debt relief.”

“Yet she said you offered her to him before.”

He was even more uncomfortable. “Yeah, I did. Only after an offer was made and I was knee deep in debt and self-pity. She left for college and I couldn’t use her. But that was the past.”

“Uh-huh.” I had no doubt he would do so again if given the chance. I was even angrier at this point.

“You don’t need to believe me. I honestly don’t care at this point. This is my last shot at making good on all my promises.”

This was entirely unexpected. I wasn’t certain whether to give him attaboy points or beat the man to death for his arrogance and stupidity.

“What is his name?” My voice had deepened all over again. “The fucking leader you made a deal with.”

He hesitated, which pissed me off even more. “Now.” While I knew, I wanted him to confirm it.

“Santini Demage. He’s a real pig. He’s dangerous.”

“So the fuck am I.”

“I hope so.”

I rose to my feet, taking my time walking toward him. “He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I know men like that because in some ways, I’m exactly like him.”

“Then you can protect her. Yes?” Now he was looking to me for my help. An interesting turn of events.

That was my plan all along, but I allowed him to think it was a terrible inconvenience. “The only way I can do that is if I take your daughter from the city. Far enough away I’ll have a chance to protect her. Is that something you can tolerate?” I wasn’t really providing him with the option.

He studied me and his lack of questions indicated that of course he knew exactly who I was. And what I was capable of. “I can do that. Yes.”

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