Page 29 of Heart of Stone (Dark Billionaires)

“You’ve worked with William Graves for a decade. Do you seriously expect me to believe you’ve only seen him on two occasions?”

In the corner, Brax lurked. A crocodile sitting beneath murky water, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

“He came to the club, Warren. I didn’t go to him.”

“And yet you were a regular visitor to the warehouse in Ruislip. A location only known to his closest associates.”

“It was a drug transportation and distribution warehouse. The only people that Graves allowed on-site were people he held power over.” Paul’s greying hair was greyer—and thinner—than ever.

Warren smiled. “That must have been difficult for you. To know he held power over you like that.”

“Not as difficult as you might think.”

“Why?”

“Because I have just as much power over him as he has over me.” Paul’s victorious sneer made Warren’s fist clench. “More so.”

“The security footage of the accident?” Warren asked. Paul didn’t deny it. “I’m impressed. You’re smarter than you look.”

“Damn right,” he sniffed, the insult sailing straight over his balding head. “The only thing he’s got on me is business records, condemning himself as much as me.” His face scrunched up. “And a recording that would shame me.”

Warren’s smug smile faded. “Of you buying drugs from him?”

Paul’s speech was slurred, his attention jumping. “Kate.” His laugh shouted around the room. “You used to call her kitten. Do you remember?”

“What do you have on Graves?” Warren intoned dangerously. Heneededthe security footage from the night of Aaron’s death. The crash had been right in front of a parade of shops. Their cameras would have a clear view of what happened.

Please, Paul. Don’t do this! Please!

Paul’s smile faded. “Something he shouldn’t have been doing.”

“Something illegal?”

He snorted. “Everything Graves does is illegal.” His eyes traversed Warren’s body. “You’re a grown man now, aren’t you? How was prison?”

“I made some friends.”

Warren didn’t miss the meaning behind Paul’s raised eyebrow. “I’m sure you did. A good-looking boy like yourself would have been a breath of fresh air. I bet they bricked up when you strolled through the doors.”

Strolled.

Warren shook his head. He’d been pushed through those doors in a fucking hospital bed. “Tell me what Graves is doing in the recording.”

Paul narrowed his eyes, his skinny legs constantly moving. “Go fuck yourself.” He looked down suddenly. “Did they re-attach your foot? I never thought to ask.”

“Do you have a copy of the recording?” Warren’s voice raised, his patience quickly being eroded. When Braxton had searched through Paul’s phone, the only thing they’d managed to recover was an unholy amount of porn. Thankfully not homemade by the revolting man in front of him. But what Warren hadneededwas the recording of the night of the crash. They’d pulled his house apart to find it, but were still none the wiser as to its whereabouts.

Paul’s blinks were becoming longer, his attention sliding away as quickly as Warren’s patience. “I wish to negotiate my release. Then I’ll tell you.”

Warren caught Braxton’s eye. “Not how it works, Paul. We want Graves and the tape. Then I’ll free you.” Warren wouldn’t, of course. Paul Charlton would never see the light of day again, but he didn’t know that.

“I don’t know where Graves is.”

Barely refraining from rolling his eyes, Warren had had enough. They’d been going in circles all day. He knocked on the freezer door, muttering an order to Brax whilst Talbot, who had been guarding Paul since they’d imprisoned him, opened the heavy door. “Lower the temperature again until he starts talking.”

“Shall I untie him?” Brax asked.

Warren let a pitiless grimace spread across his face. “No. He can stand to lose a few more fingers.” He looked down to Paul’s feet. “And take off his shoes. He won’t be needing those again.”

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