Page 81 of Merciless Heir

This woman could win awards in evasion. And I continue to probe and she continues to calmly dodge until I’ve had enough.

“We need to stop these games, Mother.”

“What games? I’ve heard your tiara has been seen, and I wanted to know if you’d gotten it back or had a plan.” She smiles. “That’s all.”

“Yeah, right. Something bigger is going on and I want to know your part in it.”

My mother sighs. “What do you mean?”

“You’re keeping me from my piece of the Sinclair jewel collection.” I pick my cup up and take a swallow, the tannins bitter and drying on my tongue. “I want to know what the big picture is here.”

“It’s gone, Kingston. You need to bring it back or the business is gone. That’s the only picture.”

“Now why don’t I believe you?”

There’s steel behind her calm and genteel smile. My mother is definitely up to something.

“Believe what you want, darling. It’s all in your hands.”

“You know, I’m going to sell it when I get it. Turn a profit.”

There’s a long silence. And finally, she asks, “Don’t you think it might mean something?”

“I really don’t care.”

“Turn a profit. You think it’s all about money. That worth.”

“Of course I do. Money matters.”

“Some things are worth more than money,” she says, after another long beat. And she takes a swallow of her tea.

But I shake my head. “Money rules above all else.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Mother. It’s the only constant. It brings success and power and stability. Everything else can waver, but money only matters.”

She sets down the cup and saucer. “And love, Kingston? Does that come with a monetary value, too?”

“Come on. You get it.”

“Do I? I believe in love. I think it’s important, Kingston. I think it’s a constant. Steadier than money. And you don’t?”

I just laugh. “No.”

And it’s true. Love doesn’t exist.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sadie

It’s two days later and though I have leads, whoever has the tiara, whoever is trying to sell it, is laying low. But there’s something in the air, something buzzing everywhere I look.

Something, somewhere in this underworld is going to happen and soon. People are excited.

I’d bet my life it’s the Sinclair tiara.

Nothing gets the air sizzling like the discovery of a myth as reality. Especially in the world of the rare and unique and stolen.

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