Chapter Thirty

Nadia McCoy waited for them as the two goons escorted Reggie and Dimitri into the warehouse. She introduced herself as Crichton’s assistant, and they shook hands. The immaculate suit rivaled Reggie’s. That said something. Either Nadia dressed that way on the regular, or Crichton was hoping to impress. Her petite face stayed stoic as she led Reggie through the warehouse with Dimitri by her side. As soon as they walked in, Reggie’s past came to the forefront as she took in the area. On the surface, it looked like just another metal working factory. No sounds of saws cutting or murmured voices beneath the sound of machines. Empty. The top floor had been refurbished into offices with catwalks surrounding them, so they could overlook the workers. A large wall separated the front of the factory from the back. Only one entrance into that part.

No doubt, Reggie figured that was where Crichton’s drug distribution center sat. In the backdrop of shadows, where anyone who walked in wouldn’t be able to see it. Even though the front of the production was quiet, she had a feeling that plenty were behind the wall working with chemicals that she couldn’t begin to understand.

Nadia lead them upstairs, past the middle offices to one that was near the side of the warehouse. Aluminum coated the outside, but when they walked in, it was the epitome of modern. Crichton sat behind a cherry-wood desk, wearing a business suit. His broad shoulders were squared as he leaned back in his leather seat, a smile on his thin lips. He ran fingers through his thinning, light brown hair before resting his hand on his slightly rounded belly. As a man in his late forties, he ate well and as an egotistical son of a bitch, the smirk on his face told Reggie that Crichton thought this was in the bag. Especially since he had Emma standing next to him.

Reggie’s heart leapt. She wanted to grab the kid and run, but they’d never get out that way. Emma’s red-rimmed eyes widened. Dirt stains caressed her cheek like someone didn’t know how to apply blush. No bruises so far as Reggie could tell, and the ache of worry in her chest eased a bit. Crichton kept his word. He hadn’t hurt her.

“Reggie!” Emma tried to move, but Crichton held her arm.

“Easy there, little one,” he said in a southern accent. “I know you’re anxious to go see your friend and if all goes well, I’ll let you, but if you move before I give the word, I’m gonna get a mite mad.”

Emma’s tiny body trembled, and Reggie wanted to take Crichton’s ritzy letter opener from the surface of his desk and stab it in his eye. She couldn’t even comfort Emma, so instead she winked at the girl while Crichton had his gaze diverted.

“Please,” Nadia said. “Have a seat.”

She sat in the plush chair across from Crichton. He kept a hand on Emma’s shoulder and Reggie wanted to rip the damn thing off. On the outside, she kept her face passive, hoping that Crichton couldn’t see the fury in her eyes. Fortunately, this wasn’t the first time Reggie had to negotiate for the release of someone she cared about. Marissa had sick and twisted ways of teaching a lesson. She even made Reggie think Dom had been kidnapped once and she was negotiating for his release. Of course, it’d all been a setup, but her mom said that Reggie had to learn and there was no better teacher than real-world scenarios.

Dimitri stood beside her while Nadia moved to Crichton’s.

“She is a delightful girl,” Crichton said. He smiled at Emma before looking back at Reggie. “She tried to escape. Even bit one of my guards. I wouldn’t let him strike her, but believe me he wanted to.”

“Damaging merchandise is never prudent in these situations,” Reggie said. “But yes, Emma can be trying.”

Emma frowned, and Reggie did her best not to pay attention to it.

“How do you two know one another?” Crichton asked. “Emma isn’t very forthcoming. No, ‘my daddy is going to save me’ or ‘you’ll be sorry’, or anything that I’m used to children saying.”

Smart kid. Having a drug addict mother had put Emma in a very realistic world as a child. No time for fancy dreams or happily ever after. At nine, Emma was practical—and that practicality is part of what kept her alive in this situation.

Reggie dipped a shoulder. “Her father is a friend of the family. I was visiting when the incident occurred.”

“Really?” Crichton said with a raised brow. “Because as I understand it, you haven’t been home in quite a long time. Estranged from the family.”

“No,” Reggie said, falling back into lying with ease. “A sabbatical. After my fiancé and daughter, I needed some time.”

“Terrible to hear about that,” Crichton said.

Everyone had. When something happens to a major player, word gets around. Denying it would just show him that it got to her. Playing it off made it less fodder for him to use.

“No one should lose their child, especially not like that,” Crichton continued.

If he kept going down this line, Reggie wouldn’t be responsible for her actions. As it was, it was taking all her energy not to tense up and grip the arms of the chair. She took slow, even breaths, keeping her gaze locked on Crichton. No emotion in business.

“A discussion for another time,” Reggie said. “To the matter at hand?”

Crichton nodded. “Very well. Sonja Fisher stole a substantial amount of merchandise from me. Well, from an employee who has been dealt with.”

Reggie didn’t bat an eyelash. She knew the guy who’d lost the goods was dead long before she came to this meeting. Not that anyone had told her. Just standard. Crichton couldn’t let people think he was weak, or he’d lose hold of his power.

“Ten thousand dollars’ worth,” Reggie concluded for him. “This, of course, will be reimbursed to you in cash.”

“With interest.”

“Yes. Seven thousand dollars’ worth.”

He nodded. “And then there is the matter of Sonja Fisher herself. I want her.”

“She’s not worth anything. Not even worth killing.”

Emma’s face paled, and Reggie continued. “I’ll give you five to settle the debt on Sonja’s life. That’s more than gracious.”

He harrumphed. “It is, but you see, we have a problem. If I let Mrs. Fisher walk, then I look weak to others.”

“Incorrect,” Reggie replied. “You killed the man responsible for losing the merchandise. Sonja’s contract will have been bought out. It will show that you are a businessman capable of being reasoned with.”

“Perhaps I would prefer to be feared.”

“You already are,” Reggie assured him. Not a lie. His street credibility was revered and notorious for torturing and killing those who wronged him. “Which is why letting me buy out the contract won’t hinder your reputation, but help it. After all, no one wants to work with a sociopathic psycho. They want to make sure there’s logic as well. That business comes first and emotions come second.”

Crichton folded his hands over his belly, giving her a pensive glance.

Reggie wanted to squirm under his gaze, but showing any sign of weakness would have Crichton pouncing.

“And what of the girl?”

He didn’t agree to leave Sonja alone, but he didn’t disagree, either. Reggie took that as a good sign for now and moved on.

“What’s your price?” Reggie could have given one herself, but Crichton would only have upped it. With him laying the groundwork, she could mold it into a deal.

He pursed his lips, and a dimple formed in his chin. Moments ticked by. Emma’s chest rose and fell, her breathing loud in the thick silence of the room. Reggie wanted to go around and hug her, wrap Emma in her arms, and shield her from all of this.

“Fifteen thousand and three truths,” Crichton said.

Reggie hadn’t been expecting that. She blinked. “Three truths?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “I ask you three questions and you give me three honest answers. If I feel you’re lying, then Nadia will kill Emma.”

Son of a bitch! Reggie’s stomach twisted, and she put her hands in her lap to keep from digging into the arm of the chair. “What if I tell the truth, but you believe it’s a lie?”

“Don’t worry, Ms. DeLuca,” Crichton said. “I’ll be able to tell the difference. Sitting here now, I’ve already learned your tells.”

“And how do I know you won’t just say it’s a lie when you know it’s a truth?” Reggie didn’t like this at all. Crichton was going well out of normal negotiation boundaries. She’d been out of the game for a long while, but last time she’d brokered a business deal, there’d been no truths or any other weird shit. Just facts.

Crichton smiled. “That, Ms. DeLuca, is a chance you will simply have to take. Or I will gladly keep young Emma. I’m always looking for new, sharp minds. I think she’d do quite well in my organization.”

No doubt he’d use her as a mule, and if she showed promise, he’d amp her up to a dealer. If she became too much of a hassle, or if the cops came sniffing around—he’d kill her. Crichton had the upper hand at the moment. Everything Reggie wanted and nothing to lose.

Well, shit.

Reggie quirked a brow. “Ten thousand and one truth.”

This was a new game; one her mother hadn’t prepared her for. Putting Emma’s life on the line for an answer that she may or may not have, for a truth that Crichton might see as a lie—it was dangerous. Insane. Crichton didn’t do the drugs he sold. No smart drug lord did. It was bad business. Yet, considering the gleam in his ice-blue eyes, there was something that Crichton found amusing about this. Reggie could tell he was itching to do something, maybe cause violence, hear someone scream—she didn’t know what. Each step she took from here on out would need to be a cautious one.

“Thirteen thousand and two truths,” he countered.

She knew he’d go for that. It was the obvious. It’s why she went so low, but not low enough to insult him. Reggie ran her tongue across the roof of her mouth, keeping her gaze locked on him.

“Twelve thousand, two truths, and one parlay.”

“Parlay?”

“Yes,” Reggie said, hoping this would give her some wiggle room. “Meaning, if I don’t like the question you ask, I can pass it. You can’t ask it again a second time.”

He sucked in his cheeks, eyes narrowing. Something told Reggie he’d played this game before and no one thought to bring this stipulation into it. It might have been his out clause. Belief was subjective. Crichton very well could have believed what the person across the desk from him said and still decided to call it a lie.

“Seeing as how you’re putting subjectivity into our deal it seems only fair,” Reggie said. “After all, this is based on your opinion, not facts.”

The bravado that bolstered out of her on the outside was a stark contrast to her jelly filled insides. The dark suit jacket absorbed the moisture from her body and kept her nervousness hidden. The reason for these uncomfortable ensembles was starting to make sense. All the better to hide bodily perspiration.

He glared at her. “Very well. Twelve thousand, two questions, and one parlay. Nadia, what is the total amount?”

“As it stands, thirty-four thousand.”

The woman didn’t even blink. No wonder Crichton kept her around. Reggie had a feeling Nadia never messed up the numbers.

“Well then, we’ll make it a round thirty-five thousand. That adds another thousand to call off Mrs. Fisher’s death sentence.” Crichton smiled. “I assume you have the cash with you.”

Her calculations had been off by five grand. She thought it would round out to forty thousand. Her brother said thirty-five. She owed him fifty bucks when she got out of this. So long as Emma walked out alongside her, she was fine with that.

She nodded to Dimitri. He set the briefcase on the desk and opened it. Neatly wrapped hundred-dollar bills layered the inside.

“I’ll throw an extra-five in,” Reggie said. “To forget the truths.”

He laughed. “Ma petite, come sit with your dear old Uncle Crichton.“ He held out his hand to Emma, and she looked at Reggie.

No, she did not want Emma to go near him. His slimy hands, no doubt bloodied by several bodies in the past unless he always had Nadia do the work for him, had no business touching her girl. The son of a bitch wanted her close. No escape in case he deemed that Reggie lied about one of the truths. Her heart ticked against her chest like a bomb and she gave a subtle nod to Emma. If the kid tried to run, it would make it worse. For now, they had to play along.

The little girl took his hand, and he pulled her over, sitting Emma on his lap. Nadia moved closer. Dimitri didn’t move, but Reggie knew his tells. The subtle clenching of his jaw. The way his hand moved a fraction of an inch closer to draw his weapon if need be. Reggie learned Dimitri’s movements as a child. Had to know when to make a quick getaway. He didn’t like this anymore than she did, but she’d already agreed to the terms. Now, she just had to play the game.

Josh leaned against the SUV, the heat of the frame pushing through his suit jacket. He preferred jeans and khakis, but he could dress up if need be—though the last time had been at Sonja’s court hearing. That hadn’t exactly been a celebration of joy, either. It seemed suits only came into his life when something was wrong. With the men standing outside the door, watching them like hawks, Josh tried to keep a composed aura, but he couldn’t help his hands clenching into fists, his nails digging into the callouses on his palm. It didn’t hurt, didn’t distract, and Josh hadn’t known he was doing it until Dominic gave him a pointed look.

He let out a breath and forced his fingers open, the muscles resisting like he’d been in that position too long. Maybe he had been. He lost track of how long Reggie had been inside. He didn’t know what was happening, if Emma was okay, if Reggie was. He needed to be doing something. Standing outside, guarding the SUV for a quick getaway, did nothing but make him count the slow passing seconds on the clock.

“Doesn’t it seem like this is taking too long?” he asked Dominic.

With a knowing smile, Dom shook his head. He stood away from the SUV, hands clasped in front of him like a soldier. Sonja still sat in the back seat, biting her nails to the quick. Fear of her own safety, if Josh had to guess, but part of him hoped that the fear was for the daughter she’d put in danger.

“No. We haven’t heard any gunfire,” Dom said. “No one has started shooting at us so that means they’re still talking. That’s good.”

Groaning, Josh rubbed a hand over his face. “It doesn’t seem like any of this is good.”

“Not even Reggie?”

The question caught Josh off-guard and he whipped his head around to catch Dominic’s intense gaze boring into him. “What?”

“My sister,” He said. “The one who’s currently inside risking everything for your daughter. For you.”

Josh clenched his jaw. He didn’t know what to say to that.

An air of nonchalance lingered around Dom as he turned his gaze back to the surrounding people, but clearly the man had something on his mind.

“Look man,” Josh rolled his shoulders. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”

“All right.” His cheeks didn’t even flush with irritation. The man seemed to resonate calm no matter what the situation.

Josh didn’t understand how Dom did that. The basket of frazzled nerves had to have been emanating from Josh. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel inadequate in this situation, but he’d never expected for something like this to happen in his life. Sonja’s drug addiction, Emma being kidnapped, Reggie coming into his life— he did what he had to, because that’s how he was raised.

“Are you in love with her?” Dom asked.

The question took Josh off guard. He nearly stumbled and caught himself on the SUV. Dom didn’t move. He just raised a brow, a smirk curling on his lips. It reminded Josh of Reggie’s impish gleam when she was about to say or do something sarcastic. “Am I… what? I...” He shook his head. “No, I mean. I care about her. Who wouldn’t? She’s smart, sassy, funny.” He licked his lips. “Sexy as hell with all those curves and—“

“Josh.” A vein bulged in his head. “I’m her brother. I don’t want to hear whatever you’re about to say next.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, and cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

“She could do worse,” Dominic said. “And you’re possibly the first person to stand up to our mother like that. At least without getting shot.” He tilted his head, giving Josh an appraising look. “I’m not sure if that makes you brave or just stupid.”

“Probably both.” Josh laughed.

“She’s more vulnerable than she seems,” Dom said. “She told you about Devon and Sophie.”

“Her fiancé? She never said his name.” He shook his head. “But yeah. She told me they were attacked.”

Dom’s gaze went back to the roof, then to the men in front of the building. Josh noted how he kept looking at their surroundings and started following his lead. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him. The men stayed in their positions on high alert. Everyone had a gun and Josh couldn’t help but feel they were severely outnumbered.

“What she didn’t tell you, no doubt,” Dom said. “Is that after she tried to kill herself?”

His head whipped around. No way. Reggie, his Reggie, wouldn’t try to kill herself. Nothing in the entire time he’d known her would even suggest she’d tried something like that. “What?”

He nodded. “She tried to O.D. on pills. Luckily, I found her in time. She blamed herself for the attack. Knew the risk of having love in the kind of life we lead, but she wanted it so badly. Our mother wanted it for her too, just—not with a common person. She wanted someone better for Reggie. Someone from another family, or even a politician—someone mom could keep in her pocket.”

“An arranged marriage.” The thought of someone doing that these days left Josh in awe. In other countries, he knew it was custom, tradition—but what Marissa wanted had nothing to do with Reggie being taken care of—and everything to do with power. “Jesus.”

Movement on the rooftop made him look up. One guy walked over to another. He put a cigarette between his lips and his buddy lit it.

Josh ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t know if Dom was trying to scare him off. Maybe it should, but instead, all he wanted to do was pull Reggie into his arms and protect her from the terrible shit that had touched her. She’d had enough heartache to last a lifetime.

“I don’t think it was just losing Devon and Sophie,” Dom said in a soft voice. His demeanor changed, something in his face softening. He stayed on alert, but something more than calm rolled off him.

“Don’t suppose you mean Marissa.”

A small smirk curled his lip. “No. Though I imagine somewhere deep inside, it was a factor, but—Reggie has a good heart. She never belonged in our family. Not with the things we do. It didn’t fit her. Never has.”

Believable. Definitely believable. If Reggie claimed the DeLucas lied about her heritage or had adopted her, Josh would believe that more than Reggie being groomed and trained to be a crime boss.

“But when she lost them,” Dom continued. “Something inside her snapped. She hunted down the son of a bitch and killed him. A single bullet to the head. More mercy than he deserved.” His face hardened, the muscles in his jaw bulging out. “If I’d gotten to him first, the bastard would have suffered. In more ways than one.”

Reggie, his Reggie, had killed someone? The fact that her brother talked about it like it was just another day at the office scared the shit out of him. Everything slowed down around them as his brain tried to process this. A rushing sound flooded his ears. It shouldn’t come as such a shock, but hearing it as opposed to it being assumed—it made a difference. It made it real. He knew she’d probably done some dark things, but murder? Then again, was it murder if the man murdered her family first? Gray area didn’t begin to cover it. If Crichton hurt Emma, Josh didn’t know if he could be responsible for his actions. So, could he really judge Reggie for hers?

“She was reluctant,” Dom continued. “But mother thought it would be a good lesson, and a good message not to cross the DeLucas.”

“Fuck,” he whispered. “Why are you telling me this?”

Dominic turned enough to look him in the eye. “Because she keeps her demons very close to her heart. It won’t take much to shatter it again. I want you to know everything, because it’s pretty damn clear she cares about you. She deserves that. Deserves to let her heart open again and if I thought you didn’t care about her I wouldn’t have said any of this. But you do. So, if you guys get the chance to go forward, I don’t want her past shadowing it—but Josh?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m saying this as a brother. So please understand when I say, if you break her heart, I’ll kill you,” Dom smirked to take the tension out of it.

He’d said those words once or twice to his mother’s boyfriend. He knew what it meant. Break up of your own accord, fine, but do anything to intentionally hurt her and there’d be problems. It meant something worse coming from a DeLuca. No doubt about that. Still... “Can’t fault you for that.”

“Try not to fault her either,” Dom said. “For not telling you. Generally, I’d say it’s not my place, but in this case, I thought it better to be honest.”

Josh didn’t know how to take all of this. The building sat motionless, an innocuous presence that had chaos and insanity going on around and inside of it. Kind of felt like his life. Could he condemn Reggie for her past when she was trying to save his future? He rubbed his face in frustration. So long as they walked out of the building, intact and whole, well, they could figure out the next step after that.