Page 114 of Royal Flush

“Why not?” I answered. “Whiskey.”

“A man after my own heart.”

I doubted that. My brothers flanked both sides, Valerio checking to ensure we were alone. Santini seemed amused.

“We’re alone. I have no reason to fear your presence,” Santini said.

“You should.”

He poured the drinks and as he turned, he eyed me quizzically while bringing my brothers a tumbler. As he handed me mine, he gave me what could only be called as a nod of respect. “I’ve heard many things about the Royal family. You’re California royalty, a force to be reckoned with.”

I purposely took a sip to allow a little apprehension to sink in. “A force to be reckoned with. I’ll accept that description.”

“What can I do for you?” he asked as if this was a matter of business. “Unless you’re here to offer me financial services, which I could use.”

Laughing, I took my time walking closer, pulling out two photographs. When I handed them to him, he furrowed his eyebrows until he noticed the subjects.

“What is this?” he demanded, now slightly on edge.

“The woman you sent your goons to kill, the one who refused to marry you by running away from her own country isn’t dead.”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

My laugh was easygoing, my body relaxed. I did some of my best work under pressure. “Take a good look. The SUV is likely to have her DNA on the grille, which will be tested. I’m surprised you didn’t bother to have it thoroughly cleaned.”

“A testament to the man’s arrogance,” Valerio suggested.

“Yes, you’re right, bro. Anyway, your thugs failed in killing her. The second photograph shows Jasmine Sinclair very much alive. Does she have a long road ahead for recovery? You bet, but I’ll be right by her side. I’m curious. Was that the last straw for you, learning she cared about another man when she was promised to you by her own father?” I smiled after asking the question.

The man was furious, his grip around the glass tightening. He had no clue where I was coming from, which offered us a clear advantage. He finally smiled, which I’d expected. “You have nothing but speculation.”

“Oh, no? Well, on top of obtaining evidence off the SUV, there were three witnesses all making the same statements. It would seem your boys aren’t that good at what they do or just didn’t give a shit.”

I was close to pushing him over the edge.

“You come into my hotel room uninvited and accuse me of a heinous crime?” he demanded.

“You bet. What happened? Did your balls get slammed into a tight vise? Did you get rejected by a woman who was far too good for you?”

His smile faded. “You need to leave.”

“Not without knowing the truth. I know you were behind the Washington, DC massacres a few months ago. I also know you are eager to expand your territory into the US since Aussie land wants you shoved out. You have a cousin on the East Coast, a man involved with a rather infamous mafia organization and you figured a fresh start would do you some good. Now, I don’t think you counted on the fact having all those people killed would ultimately bring down the wrath of God. That’s what arrogance will do for you. But you cut off the hand that fed you with Justin Sinclair.” With every word spoken, I was pushing one button after another.

The man was fuming.

I was winging some of what I was saying but the puzzle was actually easier to put together than I’d realized. I’d simply needed a clear head and a reason to give a shit about the future.

Somehow, he remained quiet. It surprised me he was able to keep his cool. So I pushed a little harder. I needed him to snap for this to work.

“What happened, Santini? First, your bride to be ran away. You allowed your dick to be put in a vise clamp, which pissed you off. You destroyed her world in retaliation because she ran and her father had second thoughts about selling her off to an animal like you. When you learned she resurfaced, you were determined to woo her back into your life. Did she laugh in your face? Did she push you aside or simply confide in you that she was carrying another man’s baby?”

That was all that had been needed. “That bitch was supposed to be mine! Mine. I told her she had a choice and she laughed in my face. I had no choice but to remind her that I was the powerful man.”

“So you had your men try and run her down?’

“So what? She means nothing any longer, just a whore.”

Now it was all I could to keep my cool. I could tell my brothers were getting antsy. Valerio even walked closer, knowing I was this close to flying off the handle.

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