Page 58 of Ruthless Heir

“Oh. I fucking do.”

“What do you think it’s about?”

“You plan to eliminate Shah. You plan to give his children and his niece back everything he took from them.” Neil smiled. “We have similar goals, Devani. The only difference is that I’m doing it for my sister, not the man I love or my girlfriends.”

Well, he had me there. Except now I’d added Neil to my list of people I was doing it for.

I moved to the sofa and sat opposite him. “How long have you known?”

“I confirmed it the night you met with your contact at the ball. Or should I say, your alternative contact?” I lifted my gaze, and he gave me a smirk. “Like you, I notice everything. Wardrobe changes in the middle of balls are extreme even for the Queen of Diamonds.”

Since he’d never commented on my new attire, I’d assumed he’d chalked it up to my eccentric personality.

“I really hate you sometimes. Finish what gave me away.”

“It was the look you gave Shah during dinner when he spoke about the future of his company and his wish to have a child with his new wife since grandchildren weren’t in his future. I’d only seen you direct that cold, emotionless interest at someone you planned to target.”

“As one of the Circle of Ten, heisa target.”

“Cut the crap. I know someone on a personal hit list when I see it. Maybe it was the fact that King was also directly in your sight. You radiated this energy that screamed, given a chance, you’d have taken care of Shah in front of the entire ballroom and laughed.”

“Are you going to tell me personal vendettas have no place in our business?”

“If I were a rule follower and speaking as the future Director of Solon North America, I’d say yes. The current director should know better and lead by example.”

“But?”

“But. As someone working with my own demons and one of your closest friends, I’m all for clearing the world of trash like Shah.”

A wave of guilt punched me in the core of my stomach.

What would he say when he learned that I knew all about his demons?

Pushing down my unease, I said, “I guess we understand each other.”

“An engagement would make your end goal easier, if not much faster.”

“When have I taken the easy path to anything?”

He sat up and then shook his head as he looked down at himself. “I wasted a good tux for nothing.”

“You could skip the ball too.”

“Is that right? And what exactly should I do with my time?”

“How about a flight to London? You can visit someone in the middle of a recon assignment at the parliament building.”

I glanced at the antique clock on the counter behind Neil. Of all the people who needed a break, it was the man in front of me.

“You can take my jet, and a new team will start rotation by the time you land. That will give you forty-eight hours of uninterrupted personal time before your return flight.”

“Director, are you telling me to abandon my duties for the weekend to get laid?”

“I wouldn’t dare. I’m just looking out for the well-being of my subordinates. We all need a day or two to recharge.”

“Are you going to do the same?”

I thought about the night ahead and hummed, “Actually, I’m going to have an absolute blast this evening. Someone sent me an exclusive invite to a poker night.”

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