Page 60 of Royal Flush

He sat down, never blinking, even taking a couple of sips of his coffee.

I placed my cup on the table, sitting back and crossing my legs. I wanted him to see I was completely relaxed.

“Mr. Royal. You’re a busy man and so am I. Why did you take my daughter?”

While I hadn’t provided but so many details from the night before, merely making demands after his screaming battle, for him to jump to these conclusions was interesting. “Mr. Sinclair. You are correct in that I ensured your daughter was safe last night. That’s because she was attacked in a parking lot next to the hotel of the charity event you refused to attend.”

At least he had the decency to open his eyes wide. “What do you mean attacked?”

“Just what I said. Three men appeared to be attempting to kidnap her. They were armed and in my professional opinion, they were hired guns. The attack wasn’t random.”

He even seemed a bit strangled, uncertain of what to say in response. Of course, as with most men in power, the silence was short lived.

“What the fuck are you getting at?”

“Who said I’m getting at anything other than your daughter’s life was placed in danger last night because of you.”

He snorted, glaring at me in the same way as Jasmine had done so many times.

“I doubt my politics in another country has anything to do with the fact my daughter was attacked. This city is crime ridden, full of hoodlums. Don’t you dare blame me for what happened.”

There wasn’t a question about how she was or if she’d been hurt, just a pompous man incensed I’d questioned him in any way.

That made me sick inside, repulsed.

And had me wishing I was more of a killer than I was.

I leaned forward, folding my hands in front of me. “Hear me clearly, Mr. Sinclair. I am well aware of your involvement with a highly treacherous mafia organization operating in your country. I also know you’re suspected of taking bribes from the organization, the reporter calling you out on the carpet mysteriously killed.”

I was pushing the truth, but I wanted to see his reaction. There was something honest about the quick flash in his eyes. I couldn’t quite tell if it was from fear or something else.

“Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t have buddies here eager and willing to do their bidding if requested. For a price, of course. Your daughter is a weakness whether you want to believe it or not.” As I continued, I fell into a comfortable routine.

It was always entertaining when you caught an asshole in a web of deceit.

He was shocked at first, followed by the classic red-faced anger and finally a hard glare as if dismissing my claims completely. “How. Dare. You.”

“How dare I? I was there. I am the sole reason she wasn’t kidnapped or worse. I suggest you provide some respect, which quite frankly I deserve and demand.”

The man wasn’t quite certain what to make of me.

“You’re a son of a bitch.” I’ll be damned if he didn’t pull out his checkbook. “How much do you want? It’s always about money. Greed.”

I had to burst into laughter. “You have no clue who I am or the status of my family in this country. Do you?”

“Why should I give a shit. How much? I need to get this over with, and my daughter back under this roof. Now.”

“What, so you can sell her off to a buddy of yours?” Oh, that shocked him. “Some fancy wedding right here in DC. That will up your standing significantly.”

“It’s none of your fucking business. Give me a number of what it will take. Now. I’m a busy man.”

“Let’s just say in the billions. Now, that should tell you my visit has nothing to do with money. However, I believe you’re lying about my family, Sinclair. You should remember the name of my father, Sebastian Royal.” I waited, studying his eyes. “I assure you that he remembered you very well.”

Exhaling, he slipped the billfold back into his jacket, running one hand over his mostly bald head. “Fine. I knew your father but that was a long time ago.”

“I’m curious. In what regard?”

“We met at an international dinner. We hit it off. We started a long-distance friendship. Nothing more.”

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