Page 53 of Ravaged
“Oh, good. You’re here,” Oliver said sarcastically.
I narrowed my eyes at him, then turned to Gerard. “What’s this asshole doing here? I thought he was getting another round of adjustment,” I said, nodding to Axe.
“Go on, Oliver,” Gerard said. He gestured toward me. “Tell us again what your proposition is.”
“You know, I had this idea earlier,” Oliver said, tapping his temple, gleeful energy in his voice, like he had snorted one too many lines, not like he had recently witnessed the brutal beating of his daughter. “What if I told the Adlers where the treasure was, and we split the proceeds?”
“It won’t be a six-way split,” Derek said.
“Be happy with your life being spared,” Gerard said.
“And my daughter’s?”
“Just your freedom,” Gerard said. “Your right; your daughter can be used as a bargaining chip.”
Oliver cracked his neck both ways. “No matter. She’ll figure it out. She’s a spritely one.” He turned to me and forced a smile. “Isn’t she?”
“This seems like the same offer as before, but this time, we split the payout,” I said, my tone stern. “What makes this any better?”
“You’re quick. So, here’s the good part,” Oliver said. “I have many, many contacts who would be interested in a purchase. We could sell it under the radar, and by the time Midnight Miles links it to me, and then to you, the Adlers, I’ll be out of your hair. Deniability, all of that. For you all as well.”
It seemed like a load of shit to me, but from the gleam in Gerard’s eye, I knew he only saw the end goal: money from the Pink Diamond to be shared with his family. And with Oliver out of his hair, and the daughter as a bargaining chip he could use as a gift to Midnight Miles or another group? There was no reason to say no.
Teagen as a peace offering. Teagen. My Tea.
“What’s your opinion?” Gerard asked, turning to me.
“Get the diamond. Split the money.” I tilted my head towards Oliver. “Kill this piece of shit, and let the woman go free.” I clenched my fist. “She’s already suffered enough for this bastard.”
“Funny you should call me a bastard,” Oliver said in a low voice.
“Watch it,” I snapped, turning towards him. Axe ground the barrel of the gun into the back of Oliver’s head, and Oliver straightened. I turned to Gerard. “Does it seem worth the potential war it could cause with Midnight Miles?”
“If they never find out,” Gerard said. I looked at Derek, who had the same look of hesitation in his face. The Pink Diamond was a legend, but it was also the kind of treasure that could bring entire countries to their knees.
“One simple stipulation, if I may add,” Oliver said. All of us turned toward him.
“Yes?” Gerard said.
“I would like to see my daughter,” Oliver said. “This whole experience will be easier if I can see her. Especially if you’re planning to use her as a gift.”
“There are plenty of problems with that request,” Gerard said. “You could be scheming together. Exchanging information. I suppose we could arrange somethingafterwe acquire the Pink Diamond and the subsequent funds, but until then, I don’t see the point of you two interacting.”
“Not even after,” I broke in. “She might share your blood, but she’s not your daughter. No father would ever sell his child into slavery like that.”
“I will say, son,” Gerard tilted his head, cocking a stern face at me, “You should be careful about who you let into your bed. You wouldn’t want to grow attached to something that must be given away.”
I grit my teeth. He was right. But Teagen wasn’t an item to be gifted. She wasn’t something. She was someone. She was a woman. A musician. She wasmywoman.
No… She was my prisoner. That’s all she was ever supposed to be.
I headed towards the door. I couldn’t stand being in the same room as Oliver. It was better to let Axe take care of him. I couldn’t let my emotions get the best of me, not when Gerard was already suspicious of my feelings for Teagen.
“Speaking of blood relations,” Oliver said, right before I reached the door. I raised a brow and turned slightly. “If I’m not mistaken,” he nodded at Gerard, “And excuse me, boss, but this is the son you had with that prostitute in Vegas, right?”
I closed my fist, tightening my grip, imagining I was holding Oliver’s neck.
“I met Ethan’s mother in Vegas, yes,” Gerard said.
