Page 80 of Depths of Obsession
“That is gorgeous,” Nico murmurs aloud.
“It’s deadly though,” Pippa adds. “Looks can always be deceiving.”
She is not wrong. Carl opens the bidding at forty million. The tech CEO jumps in immediately. The woman next to him bounces in her seat. The Krinsts up the ante and the bidding takes off.
“It’s cursed, you know,” Natalia says loudly from the back.
All heads turn to her. She’s staring at the tech CEO. He’s got more money than God, so it will be hard to outbid him, and everyone knows it. Everyone also knows he is very superstitious. I try not to smile. Natalia may not be great at the long game but she sure as hell knows how to eliminate the competition.
“Um…” Carl tries to start the bidding again.
But Natalia continues. “Ask him.” she tells the tech geek and then nods toward Carl. “Ask him about the curse.”
The tech CEO’s girlfriend glares at Natalia but her boyfriend looks at Carl. “Is it true?”
“Er…well as it happens…yes, it is said to be cursed. Everyone who has owned it has died in rather odd ways. There was one man that had his head cut off?—"
The CEO stands up and heads for the stairs. His girlfriend scurries after him, shooting daggers at Natalia.
Nico grins. “Score one for Natalia.”
“Yes, well, if everyone is ready to continue?” Carl asks. He is still holding the necklace rather gingerly. “I believe the bidding was at sixty-five million. Do I hear sixty-eight?”
CHAPTER 27
The numbers Carl is throwing around are dizzying. We had money growing up, but nothing like this—sixty-eight million for a necklace. The ruby glows as if it has a heartbeat of its own, pulsing with an unnatural light. It’s beautiful, but sixty-eight million? I could buy an entire collection of rubies for that. I pull the mink wrap tighter around my shoulders, shivering in the cool night air. I just want this to be over. Watching the art pieces get auctioned off was far more interesting. That Monet, the one that seemed to shimmer with sunlight—that was worth the money. Not this.
"Seventy-five million," Carl announces, nodding to Calaba, who stands near the bar, speaking quietly into his phone.
“Damn, I didn't even consider phone bidders,” Nico mutters beside me, his eyes squinting as he watches Calaba.
“Me either,” Luca says, his voice tight with frustration.
Carl looks to Hal Miller, who glances at his wife. She shakes her head, her lips pressed in a thin line. Then, Carl turns to Peter Krinst, who also shakes his head, looking defeated.
Nico snickers softly. “Looks like Peter will have to get rid of his wife the old-fashioned way—hire a hitman.”
I give Nico a sideways glance, my brow furrowing. What is he talking about? Luca leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “We were speculating that Peter wants the necklace to kill his wife.”
I say nothing, but a chill runs down my spine. I can’t help but hope Peter’s wife knows what’s going on, that she’s prepared. I watch as the Millers and the Krinsts brothers leave the rooftop, their expensive shoes clicking on the stone tiles.
Calaba strides over to Carl, whispering something before heading back to the bar. Carl looks puzzled, but then he gives a tiny shrug.
“Everyone,” Carl calls out, his voice strained, “it looks like the necklace has been sold to a phone buyer.”
“What?” Natalia leaps to her feet, her face twisted in indignation. Her brothers, Dimitry and Constantine, rise behind her, glowering. “What do you mean? You didn’t stop the bidding.”
Carl sighs, his face lined with discomfort. “A deal was struck, apparently.”
“What the hell is this?” Luca snarls, stepping forward, his posture rigid. “Who owns the necklace?”
“Well, technically... it seems you do, Pippa,” Carl says, hesitating as he looks my way.
I blink, my heart stuttering in my chest. “W-what?” I stammer, getting to my feet. “I didn’t buy it.”
Luca steps closer to me, his presence comforting and intimidating at once. The rage rolling off him practically buffets my body. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he growls.
“The necklace was purchased by a holding company registered in Pippa’s name,” Carl explains, sounding as bewildered as I feel. He approaches, holding the velvet case. “I was instructed to give it to you, my dear. Please, be careful with it.”
