Page 95 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"Yes. But I didn't know about you for a long time. I thought your mother got an abortion. I didn't find out you existed until you were twelve."

"Twelve was a long time ago," I said sharply.

"It was a complicated situation."

"You two can catch up later," Andrew interrupted. "Where's the diamond, Victor?"

"You stole it last night, didn't you?" Victor replied.

Andrew gave Victor a hard look. "You know I stole the fake. Where is the real diamond? And don't tell me you didn't bring it, because if you didn't, Lauren will take a bullet for you. That one won't kill her, but it will hurt like hell. She'll feel like she's dying. And you'll get to watch her suffer before I put her out of her misery."

I shuddered at his words. I didn't want to believe that this man who had once been so tender and loving to me could talk so ruthlessly about hurting me.

Victor seemed to be weighing Andrew's intent. Finally, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet pouch.

"Toss it to me," Andrew ordered.

Victor hesitated, then tossed the pouch. Andrew caught it with one hand. He tucked his gun into his waistband while Colin kept his weapon trained on Victor.

I caught my breath as Andrew opened the pouch and pulled out a gleaming blue stone. Even in the dim light, it still took my breath away. Andrew pulled out a jeweler's loupe from his pocket. Before he could examine the stone, there was a thud from above us. We all looked toward the ceiling.

Bennett must have woken up, I thought, wondering if by any chance that could be good for me, but it seemed doubtful since he'd wanted to kill me only minutes earlier.

I wondered why Andrew hadn't killed Bennett when he'd had the chance. He'd gone back up there after he'd cuffed me to the chair. But while Andrew was ruthless, he also seemed deliberate. When he came up with a plan, he stuck to it. If he hadn't had a reason to kill Bennett or thought he might be useful later, he might have left him alive.

"He should be secure, but check it out," Andrew told Colin, confirming my thoughts that Bennett was still alive.

As Colin left, Andrew retrieved his weapon, holding it in his left hand while raising the loupe to his eye. While Victor's gaze darted between us, I focused on working the metal cuff against the splintering wood of the chair arm, each movement as silent as I could manage.

Andrew was so absorbed in the diamond he didn't notice. A splinter jabbed into my wrist, but desperation drove me on.

Suddenly, Andrew swore and hurled the stone against the wall. I jumped as it shattered into a thousand glittering pieces.

"You thought you could fool me again?" Andrew's voice was deadly quiet. Then he lunged forward, driving his fist into Victor's face, slamming him backward into the wall.

Andrew struck again, splitting Victor's lip, sending blood dripping down his face.

I redoubled my efforts on the chair arm, ignoring the splinters piercing my skin. A deep crack appeared in the wood.

Victor was trying to defend himself, but Andrew was beyond reason, each blow fueled by his rage at being deceived. He'd promised to burn everything down, and I knew with terrible certainty that he'd kill Victor—and then me—if I didn't stop him.

With one final wrench, I felt the wood give way. I was free.

Andrew spun around at the sound. I leaped to my feet, swinging the broken chair arm like a club.It connected with his wrist, sending the gun in his hand flying.

The weapon skidded across the floor, disappearing under a heavy cabinet.

Andrew swore and instinctively reached for the second gun—the onehe’d taken from Bennett.

I jumped on him. We collided, slamming into the desk, both of us grappling for control of the weapon. His fingers closed around the grip, but so did mine. I twisted, using every ounce of strength I had. His grip was stronger, but I had one advantage—desperation.

I found the trigger and squeezed.

The blast knocked me backward, and the gun flew from my grip as I hit the floor.

Andrew sprawled nearby on the ground, blood spreading across his chest as he gasped, pressing his hand against the wound.

Victor stirred against the wall. I could hear his pained breath, but his eyes were still closed.

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