Page 35 of The Mastermind

He crossed his arms. “Kevin Bristol runs in my circle. He wouldn’t dare come near you. Not after what I’ve done to him.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you do to him?”

“Can we sit down to talk about this?” He walked into the living room, where I had all my jewelry stuff scattered on the rug. He sat on the floor, staring at my mess.

I joined him, not caring about the stuff. “What did you do to him?”

Kevin had sent several messages to me when we broke up, wanting a second chance. Then he halted. I didn’t even bump into him in the elevator the way I used to since we worked in the same building.

Remi stretched out his long legs.

“I’m a member of an exclusive club where wealthy and powerful men make conversational business deals. Kevin was a member there. I overheard him mention your name at a poker table, boasting to the other guys that he was dating two women and fucking a third at the same time. He said you had broken things off with him, but not for long because he had plans to get you back. Another guy chimed in, giving him ideas. They believed women would take them back if they were persistent enough.”

Anger and embarrassment rushed to my face. I couldn’t believe there was a third woman. When I’d discovered Kevin’s cheating, I went to the doctor to get myself checked for any STDs, even though we had used protection. I had been relieved when all the tests came back negative.

“Bastard,” I muttered.

“Indeed. I couldn’t agree more.” He picked up a necklace from the floor and placed it on his palm, testing its weight and letting the gold chain fall between his fingers. “I pulled Kevin aside and had a private conversation with him. I told him to stay away from you, or I would destroy him and his career.”

“He believed you?”

“He had no reason not to. He knew what I’d done to other men who crossed me. Just to prove my point, the next day, I made one phone call and his portfolio took a dive, losing millions. That was just one example, and Kevin got the hint.” Remi looked up at me, and my heart flipped. “He didn’t deserve you.”

That explained the sudden silence from Kevin, but it brought up other questions. How long had Remi been watching over me? Did he do it because of Grayson or because ofme?

I didn’t realize one dinner with Remi could unleash so many emotions and revelations.

“Do you keep tabs on all your enemies, your competition?” I asked.

“Of course. I need to know what my competitors are up to. I know and have proof of their weaknesses, and I don’t hesitate to use them when necessary. They’re insurance. When you work in my world, you deal with sharks, hyenas, and other wild predators. I needed to become the most terrifying of them all, so they know to stay in their territory and leave mine alone.”

How had a goal-oriented young boy I once knew turned into this dark and dangerous man? Despite the darkness, I wondered if he’d show me his world. Was I attracted to himbecauseof the darkness?

“That must be a lonely world, Remi. If you can’t trust anyone, you always have to watch your back. That’s not a way to live.”

“Which is why I want to keep you in yours,” he said.

Had he read my mind?

“A man like Kevin will only ruin you, tarnish your perfection. He’ll dishonor you.” Remi dangled the necklace with the aquamarine jewel, and it glistened in the light. “You’re like this gem, sparkling for the world. You deserve someone who appreciates your character, your intelligence, your beauty.”

My heart fluttered wildly. “And who would that be?”

He returned the necklace to where he had found it on the rug, and the contemplative look disappeared from his face. “You’ll know.”

Maybe one day, he’d find out why I chose the aquamarine color for the Epiphanii brand. The gorgeous aqua reflected in his eyes, dimming the frightening flames of my past.

I changed the subject to give my heart a chance to relax.

“If you can get info on your enemies, they can get the same thing on you.” That worried me.

“Money can buy a lot of things, Audri. I don’t mind paying for services to protect myself and those important to me.” He hooked a finger under my chin and tilted my face. “Are you worried about me?”

“You’re worried about me, so why can’t I worry about you?”

“No one can touch me, and no one touches you . . .” He skimmed his finger along my jaw.

Except me.I heard his unsaid words . . . or maybe I wanted it to be true.

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