Page 97 of Scarred Redemption

“I think it’s a distinct possibility he’s been in hiding. Do you remember the name of the detective you talked with?”

“Wow. I don’t know if I can.” I chewed on my lower lip, the ugly memories of the time everything I’d wanted to forget. “I think his name was Detective Brooks. He worked at the North Charleston police department. I only talked to him on the phone. He was sketchy about details since the investigation was ongoing.”

Instantly, I could tell he knew who I was talking about.

“You know him.”

“I know of him.” As with before, his entire demeanor changed.

Why was it that every time we were in a major discussion, we were interrupted? The knock on the door instantly made us both bristle.

“When is this going to end, Maxsim?”

“Soon, my angel. Soon.”

“Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.”

“I’ll do my best.” He brushed his thumb across my lips. “What is it?” He was asking whoever was standing outside the door.

When it was opened, I didn’t bother looking. What did it matter? He was going to handle business.

“Sergei’s here. He brings news from the Saudis.”

“I’ll be right there.” Maxsim continued stroking my face. Once the door was closed, he lowered his head. “Continue to have faith in me, my angel. I won’t fail you.”

“I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“No need to worry. I’m tougher than I look.” His smile was engaging, but I sensed he was worried. “At this point, I don’t want anyone knowing that the man in the picture is your father. Alright?”

“Why?”

A shadow crossed his face, another moment of pain from an injury that had dug deeper than the scars he wore as a constant reminder of the mental torture carried like a noose around his neck. “Because trust is earned and loyalty can be sold.”

The words were haunting.

I wasn’t worried about him failing us as much as I was about life doing so.

CHAPTER 20

Maxsim

“Hassan expressed his gratitude once again,” Sergei said. Both his tone and his expression held amusement.

“They’re worried we’ll crush them for their insolence,” Kristoff chided.

The Saudis had been very lucky I’d discovered their diamond shipment had been tampered with before they’d lost millions.

Nodding, I pulled the glass of scotch to my lips. “And we still might. What else do they know about the Butcher?”

“From what Hassan has determined, the Butcher is attempting to control the diamond market by collapsing shipment routes and smaller brokers.”

“A power grab,” Roman offered.

I took a gulp of my scotch as I mulled the thought. “An attempt to destroy avenues of our business.”

“If your empire is destroyed, they will have the clients and the port system.” Sergei had thought this through.

“And Stonewall as a front will keep the business legitimate while laundering the funds.” I was mulling the information.