Page 36 of The Perfect Lie
Nothing was said between Davian and me as we headed down the stairs. It was only when we got to the computer room that he said what was on his mind. “You might want to sit down for what I am about to request from you.”
Davian was beginning to scare me, but instead of arguing, I did as he asked. “What is this about, Davian?”
Davian squatted in front of my chair and took hold of my hands. His eyes met mine, and I felt what he was about to ask wasn’t going to be easy. “I know this is going to be hard for you, but I need you to call Crosby McCall and set up a meeting with him.”
“Why?” I asked. “I thought you didn’t trust him.”
“I don’t.” Davian forked his fingers through his thick black hair. I was all too familiar with this behavior. He was stressed. “We have proof that Crosby’s and Salko’s association is more than Crosby was letting on. We have video coverage to show that they met with each other at the McCall Agency.”
Given the information that Davian shared with me regarding Crosby McCall, it didn’t surprise me that he would be involved with a man like Rui Salko. “What do you want me to do?”
Davian stood to his feet and walked over to Patton across the room. Patton was looking down at his cell phone, his thumbs working quickly to enter information. It wasn’t long before he handed the cell phone to Davian. I kept my eyes on Davian as he walked toward me. Instead of squatting in front of me, he pulled up a chair and took a seat.
“I want you to call Crosby. Tell him that you want him to meet you at the warehouse.” Davian handed me the cell phone, and I took it from his hand.
“I don’t understand. Why would you allow Crosby to come here? If he is associated with Rui, wouldn’t he tell Rui where it is?” I held out my hand to give Davian back the phone.
“Crosby knows about a warehouse, but not this one. Several years ago, I started questioning Crosby’s loyalty in finding out who killed Gwen. He began showing less and less interest in finding her killer. One thing that he said back then bothered me. I thought it was his way of dealing with the death of his daughter, but given what we know now about him, it all makes sense.”
“What did he say?” My voice was riddled with worry.
“He said that Gwen was in a better place and that her new life would be like living in paradise. At first, I thought he was talking about heaven, but he said, “Her life.” He knew she was dead, so how could her new life be like living in paradise? It wasn’t just that, but the way his face twisted into an expression of self-satisfaction. It was then I began questioning our relationship.”
“Is this why you think he had something to do with Gwen’s fake death and her kidnapping?”
Davian’s fingers snaked through his hair again before he answered. “I didn’t want to say anything until we were one hundred percent sure, but more and more, it is looking like he did.”
~25~
Reyna
With a shaky hand, I gave the cell phone back to Davian. I was so nervous talking to Crosby McCall, I thought for sure I would botch what Davian had instructed me to say. I hadn’t spoken to him in over two months other than the brief conversation we shared at the Four Seasons. And even then, I didn’t say one word to him. The shock of seeing him left me speechless.
Davian soothed my nervousness by pulling me from my chair and onto his lap. “You did good, princess.” He kissed the top of my head and gave me the reassurance I needed.
“Do you think he will show up?” I worried that I wasn’t convincing enough, and the call might have been for nothing.
“I think, if anything, you sparked his curiosity. Even if he doesn’t show up, he will tell Salko. There’s no way Salko will pass up the chance to get to you or his diamonds.”
“Diamonds? What diamonds?” I asked, confused.
Davian’s expression became serious. Once again, both hands went to his head before his fingers ran through his hair. Giving him my full attention, he met my eyes. “I meant to tell you, but with everything going on, it slipped my mind.”
I waited for Davian to clear his thoughts. Even though I wanted to remain on his lap, I felt he needed space to tell me more about the Salko and the diamonds. Pushing from his lap, I pulled another chair next to him and gave him time to continue his explanation.
Taking an exasperated breath, he cleared his throat. “Giles Curtis took Salko’s diamonds as payment for what he did to your mom. He buried them in a wooded area just outside of Suches. That was the reason he tried to take you from the villa. It is also the reason he was so interested in your locket.”
“Where are they? No, wait. I don’t want to know.” I should have been angry at Davian for keeping this piece of information from me, but did I really want to know where the diamonds were?
“I think it is best you don’t know.” Pulling me close, Davian wrapped his arms around me, and I could hardly breathe.
“Davian, what’s going on?”
Without releasing me, I felt him take a deep breath before letting it out against my shoulder. “I’m sorry for putting you in danger. Whether you know it or not, if Salko ever got to you, which I would never let happen, I’m positive he would torture you to get what he wanted.”
There was nothing more to say. Hell would have to freeze over before Davian would let anything happen to me. Still, I was worried—more than I had ever been. Not for myself, but for the plan Davian and the men ofThe Societywere working on. More than Davian, I wanted Rui Salko to pay for everything he had done to Helga and me. Spending the rest of his life behind bars would be the best-case punishment for him. Regardless of what I wanted for Rui, I had a funny feeling that Davian had a different plan for him. Killing someone was wrong, deserved or not.
Staring out into space, Davian gave me a light slap on the ass, which broke me from my thoughts. “I know you’re worried, but there’s nothing for you to worry about. Crosby McCall will tell Salko about the meeting you requested. Salko and hopefully Crosby will show up at the old warehouse, and we will be prepared to take them down. If Salko shows up with his men, which I guarantee he will, he will still be at a disadvantage. They have no idea what the men ofThe Societyare capable of.”
