| |
The private jet landed in Madrid around five in the afternoon. I completely ignored Katie's calls from a few hours ago because I promised to bring her with me and broke that promise at the first opportunity. I didn't want to involve her in this.
I don't trust Ramon. His speech is flawed, and if he's so afraid of being killed by the mafia, he wouldn't have helped Scarlett or spoken up. Betraying Robert alone is reason enough to die.
Putting it all together in a line of reasoning: Anthony was involved with Ramon's mother, and my father abused her. Since my father was important, the blame fell on the woman's shoulders. Brett took her place as Anthony's woman. My father robbed Anthony and Brett's father. She sought revenge against me. Meanwhile, Scarlett kills Anthony, and Robert takes over his brother's place.
"Miss McAllister," Sandara greets me, opening the back door of the Jaguar.
The car soon starts. I hadn't told anyone about my arrival, neither my family nor any staff. The Louboutin heels and the light skirt I wore made it seem like I was going anywhere to handle work matters. But in reality, I was going home. I take advantage of the silence in the car to mentally list the things I need to discuss with my father.
We cross the hallway. Miller is two steps ahead, Michelle by my side, and Sandara two steps behind. For a moment, I wished Scarlett were here. I miss seeing her healthy. Knowing she's in a hospital bed now breaks my heart.
I had two places I liked to work: the one I always used, near my room, and another one that I only used when receiving suppliers at home. Because it's away from the rest of the house and had a view of the city. The house was completely empty, and according to one of the maids, my mother had left and had no set return time.
Leaving my office, the last person I wanted to see is there: Robert Moore. My father appears right behind him.
"Dianna McAllister, good evening," he says in a moderate tone that could intimidate anyone but me.
I think for a second about how he managed to bypass security, and the truth hits me: he hadn't made any effort. He was invited, walked in through the front door, and was pampered by the staff, just like any other important visitor.
"Good evening." I raise my hand only for Miller to step aside. All the anger I had for what he had done was neatly hidden behind my CEO facade. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" This wasn't a meeting with someone who tortured the love of my life; it was, above all, a business meeting, and I was at home.
"I was having a conversation with your father, but I'm on my way out now. I have everything I need."
"No, you're not," Miller slightly leans to the left, making it clear that Robert wouldn't take another step. "You didn't think I'd let this slide, did you?"
"Don't be foolish, Dianna. There are so many of my security guards inside this house that you should be worried."
"I don't think so. I could lock you in the basement and do the same thing you did to Scarlett, because I can. Don't forget that. But we can be civilized. Why don't you go back inside that office?" Robert looks me up and down, analyzing me. Finally, I see that he decides to stay.
"Dianna, my daughter, this is none of your concern," my father has the audacity to speak up.
"We'll talk later, Dad." My tone is cordial and balanced, exactly as he molded me to be since childhood.
Miller escorts Robert back to the office, and I enter right after. Michelle and Sandara wait beside the door inside the room.
"You're not as much of a puppet of your father as I thought," Robert says subtly, and I find myself inclined to go back on my word. Killing that bastard seems like the right path to take. Michelle's gaze on him says the same. A nod from her, and the bullet would pierce his skull.
"You could say the same about your employees." I sit in my usual chair. He wears a black suit and a dress shirt, unbuttoned at the top buttons. "They gave up Lieutenant Kettermann's location at the first opportunity."
"Apparently, you have the same sharp tongue as your little girlfriend."
"I wouldn't go down that path if I were you." From Michelle's look, I know she's two seconds away from lunging at him.
"Why? Do you think you can make me scream the way I made your little girlfriend scream?" Michelle takes a step forward, but Sandara touches her shoulder.
"Are you that bothered? Because as far as I know, your brother didn't need to provoke anyone. By the way, what do you want with my father?"
"He didn't tell you? Ah. After Alencar took over his father's companies and sold them to you, he saw a great opportunity to prosper as a partner."
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"Because it makes no difference to me. Now, for your father, I'm not so sure. Remember when there was a news report about the investigation against your father in January? Why do you think they never talked about it again? Your father silenced them all. Those he didn't bribe had a bullet in their heads the next day."
"If my father is so independent from the mafia, what are you doing here?"
"You never leave the mafia once you get involved, really. Especially not the way your father got involved. He owes me so much money that just your head would pay it off." He makes a move, but the sound of Michelle unlocking her gun freezes him in place.
Everything happens very quickly. Sandara grabs him, pressing his head against the table, and Miller steps in front of me. Then I notice that he was seconds away from pulling the gun from his body.
"Don't you dare set foot in this house again, or I swear you won't leave alive." That's what I say before he's dragged out.
•••
I CLIMB THE STAIRS, heading to the top floor, and walk down a long, illuminated corridor. My destination is the house library. My father was there, as I expected he would be, sitting in an armchair and drinking whiskey. Apparently, this is a trait we share very well.
"So, you decided to get back into business after I cleaned up the mess you made?!" It's the first thing I say.
"But how...?" My father starts, but I'm too enraged to let him continue.
"I don't care. The money and the life are yours, you do whatever you want. I could ignore the fact that you used the companies to launder money because what I lost was insignificant. But you betrayed me."
"In December, when you came to spend your birthday, I suggested you get into business with me."
"Oh, great, so now I'm the wrong one in this situation."
"I used the company to launder money on a large scale, not to mention what I borrowed in the beginning. You paid for everything from truck fuel to the rifle ammunition for the traffickers."
"Where does Alencar fit into this?"
"I needed a partner. He pulled off the scam on his own father for money, and we hit it off."
"That son of a bitch, hypocritical asshole, who came to hassle me about the money Brett stole?!"
"Exactly."
"You have money. You didn't need to take anything from the company. In fact, as far as I remember, the company was in your name until three years ago."
"Why would I spend my own when I can spend someone else's? Besides, don't you think that would be very suspicious? I needed a large cash flow to avoid suspicion."
"Ah, of course, because having it in your daughter's name makes a big difference."
"You take after your mother, Dianna. You're too goody-goody. I thought that after all this time at McAllister Enterprises, you would have learned something."
"YOU BETRAYED YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!" I lose my patience completely. "Robert said it was for love, that you left the mafia business, but everything that came out of your mouth proves otherwise. Be honest with me, at least once."
"I was tired of splitting the money. At the time, Anthony was too arrogant and immature. Brett's father had a strong hand and talent. But you know that the first damn rule of a trafficker is not to consume their own product."
"Does my mother know about this shit? Does she know how many people you've had killed for money even though you were born rich? Does she know she's sleeping with a fucking rapist?"
"She and your aunt Cassandra are homemakers, Dianna, it's none of their business."
"And you're just coming back now? Because, as far as I know, you left the mafia because I was born, and here we are 32 years later. Three years ago, when they wanted to kill you and you transferred everything to my name, it was a $2 billion debt."
"Mafia debt lasts for years. I have to admit you did an excellent job."
"Son of a bitch."
"Watch your mouth when you talk to your father, Dianna." His tone was pure mockery, as if I meant nothing to him.
I leave the library. Michelle and Miller were waiting for me at the end of the corridor.
"I want the jet ready. I've sorted out everything I needed."