Page 19 of Toxic

The Montana sapphires tend to be small and flat. When cut in pieces, less than ten percent are more than one carat. Anything above half a carat has a sharp price increase, and the new supplier guaranteed the container would have all different sizes.

I walkie-talkie Rubio I'm here, and the garage door on the back of the building opens. As soon as I pull in, the door closes.

Rubio's stocky frame comes into view. His slicked-back hair is so stiff it doesn't move. He motions for the other workers to vacate the area and slaps my hand when I get out of the car. "Dante. You're going to like this shipment."

For the first time today, I feel a surge of excitement. "Yeah?"

His dark eyes meet mine. "They're good. Really good."

"Stop talking then, and show me what we're dealing with," I order.

He leads me to a side office and unlocks the door. As soon as I step in, the buzzing in my veins grows. Another man, my father's appraiser, is sitting at the desk with his magnifying glass and other tools.

"Ettore," I say.

He lifts his gray hair-filled head, smiling. Crinkles pop out around his blue eyes. "Dante. These are good."

"So I hear." I sit down across from him.

He points to a large container. "Those are all done. All good, less than five percent are under half a carat. The rest is all above. These are the last ones and your most valuable."

I study the Montana sapphires and hold my breath. The largest one, I pick up. The crystal has flecks of blues and greens throughout it. Mesmerized, I immediately think of Bridget's eyes.

"That's over five carats—definitely your most valuable piece," Ettore claims.

I wrap my fist around it. "How many pieces do you have left?"

"Only three. These are all flawless. You did good, Dante," he says, and pride sweeps through me.

Rubio slides a box at me. "Present from our suppliers."

"What is it?"

"Open it."

I lift the lid on the red velvet box. A gold necklace with a deep-red garnet shimmers in the light. I glance at Rubio.

"They said they have access if we're interested."

"Same quality. These guys you found are the real deal," Ettore declares.

"What's the demand for these?" I ask, holding the red gem up toward the light.

"Decent, but they might move slower than the sapphires," Ettore answers.

"Tell them to send another container of Montana sapphires, and I'll take a half container of these garnets." I rise, grab a velvet bag, and slide the five-carat sapphire in it. I put that and the garnet box in my pocket. "Offload them and let me know when the money is transferred," I instruct Rubio then get in my car and leave.

I'm feeling pretty good when I get back to the house for my meeting with my father. I'm even not bothered Tully is there.

Until he drops a bomb on me.

"Bridget and Sean just got engaged," Tully announces and holds his tumbler of whiskey in the air. The room erupts in congratulations.

Stunned, the hairs on my arms rise, and my stomach flips so fast, I have to choke down the bile rising in my throat. My lungs constrict, but I somehow manage to put on a smile and hold up my scotch for my father's quick toast.

I barely hear the conversation, and as soon as I can get out of the room, I go straight to my wing and into my office. I pour another glass of Macallan, filling it to the top.

What the fuck?

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