Page 140 of Devil's Claim

A loud cry could be heard from someone in the audience.

The lights were switched on.

The video stopped.

At that point, my father was standing, searching the crowd as if realizing he’d been outed. Perhaps he knew by whom.

I moved to the aisle and Kruz wrapped his fingers around my arm. “Be careful, my wife.”

“This is something I need to do.”

Members were on their feet, all uncertain what to do. As I walked down the aisle, it didn’t take long for people to realize I must have had something to do with the sabotage of the meeting.

I headed toward my father, darting looks at Skyler. I’d give Mr. Worthington credit. He recognized me first, the angry expression he wore accompanied by a crimson face and flared nostrils.

My father finally turned toward me, sucking in his breath the closer I came. When I was within a few inches, I shook my head. “Did I break any bones, Father?”

He didn’t react right away. When he did, I was certain he was going to slap me. I cocked my head, daring him to do so.

“How dare you,” he hissed.

“How dare I what? Tell the truth? You’ve been extorting and blackmailing people for years to get what you wanted. I simply did what was right. Now, I have the joy of watching you and all you’ve worked for go up in smoke.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed several of New York City’s finest surrounding the stage. Several officers immediately walked onto the stage toward Skyler.

He was glaring down at me, his fury evident.

At least he was silent.

My father was backing away, hissing, but two officers flanked his side.

“Think about what you’re doing,” my dad spit out. “Think about your mother.”

I laughed and wanted to hate myself for feeling such satisfaction. But I couldn’t lie any longer. Not to anyone. Especially to myself. “I am.” I turned and caught Kruz’s eyes and his wide smile.

A split second later, the lights went off again.

What the hell?

Before I had a chance to react, I felt hands on my arms, two sets jerking me backward. A scream was squelched with something shoved into my mouth.

And a deep voice in an accent I didn’t recognize whispered in my ear.

“Perfect timing, my little prey. Now, you’ll help me bring down an empire.”

CHAPTER 34

Kruz

What the fuck?

Every danger bell went off in my head. I was already in the aisle, blinking to try to be able to focus my limited vision in the shadows. Movement was coming from every direction, the shock of what people had heard creating a moment of chaos.

As soon as the lights went off for the second time, my instinct told me Christine was in danger. I rushed toward the front, shoving my way through the crowd now as people were trying to get out. This time auxiliary lights finally came on. I’d watched exactly where Christine had gone, also keeping careful eye on her father and Worthington.

The police were in the way, blocking my view. I took long strides, my chest rising and falling as reality took hold.

She’d disappeared.

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