Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

B raxton

Goddamn, the woman made me crazy. Even now, with what I was attempting to do, I couldn’t get her off my mind. I had to concentrate. I would enjoy Jasmine’s luscious body all over again, but not until I handled business.

My father used to grumble that there were no good politicians.

Both my brothers and I had rolled our eyes, but I was beginning to understand what the hell he’d been talking about.

I’d done some research late into the night while Jasmine had been sleeping, trying to learn as much as I could about this Honoured Society. I hadn’t needed to google very far to realize they were powerful and comprised of some bad dudes. I’d also called Gage, putting him on notice. He was the family tracker, more so than I’d ever been. Between us, I had a name. The leader was Santini Demage, an Italian immigrant with powerful friends. He was a true savage and considered highly unhinged.

From what I’d learned, the group was brutal, making some of the ones in America seem like model citizens. I’d discovered an article written three years before in one of the Australian papers that appeared to have been buried. It described the close relationship Justin had with the notorious leader, a man who’d provided the Sinclairs with campaign funds.

However, the reporter had been smart enough to realize he could have been sued, merely alluding to the possibilities. He’d left it as a huge question mark. I’d tried to find any additional articles by the man and he’d simply disappeared.

Why did I have the feeling he’d been exterminated?

Gage had found little else other than that the group was supposedly behind some of the most horrific murders in Australian history.

That did me no good.

For all the passion Jasmine and I had shared, her indignation had remained strong. But I did have a feeling the secretary of state’s name had rung a bell of some kind.

Valerio and Gage were actively trying to ensure we didn’t have any additional leaks within our organization as we’d had before. They were also checking with various reliable sources on what the FTC was fucking doing. I’d mentioned the connection with Bishop but given the circles certain men ran in, that wasn’t a smoking gun by any means.

Maybe the visits had been nothing but a warning. Or maybe they’d been a prelude of things to come.

At this point, all I could do was drive Justin into a corner. He’d either come out swinging or would cave like a squealing pig. I was planning on the latter.

If Justin Sinclair was playing both sides, not only was he a fool but he had a target on his head. Perhaps he’d believed he was infallible, able to find enough security in America.

He was a complete fool.

And what did Jameson Bishop have to do with all of this? Officially, I’d learned he had recommended Sinclair for the position, Justin taking leaps and bounds over more qualified men. That suggested another payoff situation. Had my father discovered all of this? And what the hell did it matter?

After stopping Justin in mid-sentence as he’d been screaming at me to release his precious daughter, I’d explained in detail, holding nothing back that he would be dealing with me and that we were going to have a meeting.

We were on the phone long enough he’d likely googled who and what I was. Smart boy.

When he’d suddenly agreed, I’d merely snarled and ended the call.

The rest of the night had been spent watching her fitful sleep.

And trying to put into some perspective why I liked the girl as much as I did.

Why I craved her, body and soul. It didn’t make any sense but here I was, hungering to the point my balls were tight.

I’d called in a couple of favors before leaving the hotel, ensuring that I wouldn’t have an escapee on my hands. The last thing she or I needed was her to try to vanish. In truth, I had an idea of what would be best for her in the interim, but I wanted to have a nice chat with Justin first.

He’d placed his daughter’s life in danger. I didn’t give a shit about his politics, but I refused to allow anything further to happen to her.

The drive certainly wasn’t relaxing, accidents everywhere given the rain but as soon as I pulled up in front of his estate, the gate swung open. I didn’t plan on staying long but as with all things of this nature, it was best to do it in person.

After parking near the massive wooden door and climbing out, I did notice the man had guards positioned in a couple of areas. While they were plain clothed, there was no doubt they were packing.

I’d been through enough security detail in my life to know inexperience when I saw it. If one of the men was this Dugger Abbott, no wonder she’d easily gotten away from him.

I didn’t believe for a second she’d be protected enough here. I smoothed down my suit jacket and headed to the door, knocking twice.

The guards were obviously expecting me, barely providing me with a second look. When the door was opened, I was expecting Justin. Seeing a slightly older carbon copy of Jasmine caught me off guard.

“You must be Braxton Royal.” I don’t know what I was expecting but Mrs. Sinclair wasn’t it. She was smiling as if happy to see me, but I could also see concern in her eyes. I hoped that was about her daughter.

“I am.”

She was staring at me intently, picking me apart as only a woman could do.

And exactly as her daughter had done more than once.

“I’m sorry. I’m being rude. I’m Jade Sinclair, Jasmine’s mother. Please come in. Justin is still on a phone call.”

“Of course.”

The three J’s. How quaint. Jasmine had told me very little about her mother other than she’d come from a wealthy family and enjoyed the perks of living in a big house and having a limitless credit card. I’d been around enough downtrodden women to know Jade fell into that category.

Her husband ran the show.

What little Jasmine had told me indicated the woman was a cold fish, but I knew women like this. If Justin believed in arranged marriages, who knew how the two of them had gotten together.

I might be dominating as well but men like him who expected woman to do nothing more than kowtow to them deserved a special place in purgatory. Women were creatures to be admired and protected. At least my father had done something right in teaching me right from wrong.

“Come into the sunroom. It’s lovely even with the storm brewing. I find it’s my favorite room in the house so far. Although the kitchen is incredible.” She laughed, the sound exactly the same. They could be sisters.

“A lovely home.” As she walked me through a couple of different rooms, I was struck by the fact it was a bit old world, as if forcing American classic tastes on anyone who was provided with the accommodations.

“Yes, well, much larger than I’m used to. And that kitchen isn’t anything like what we have. Still, I must admit the furnishings are a bit stodgy.”

“I have to agree.”

“Would you like some coffee?” she asked, her polite tone almost too overbearing.

“I would love some.”

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Just cream.” As I sat down, I was able to admire the backyard. The lovely landscaping, stone patio, and hot tub made up for some of the atrocities of the house.

She handed me a cup a few seconds later and I’d be damned if her hand wasn’t shaking. I bristled more than before, already hating a man I hadn’t met.

“Thank you. Are you happy to be in DC?”

The fact she didn’t sit, merely moving from foot to foot as she fidgeted with her hands was also telling. “Yes, for the most part. I hate being away from my friends and family, a house I adore, but Justin has aspirations.”

“Yes, so I’ve read.”

“Whatever you’ve read, you have no idea the struggles he’s been through. He’s fought for the working class instead of the upper echelon but is criticized from all sides.”

“So being an ambassador will help his image?”

“That’s what he hopes.”

“And you?”

“That’s enough, Jade.” Hearing the man’s terse voice added to my fury. I didn’t bother standing, hating the fact she was preparing to scurry out of the room like a good little girl.

“Your wife was keeping me entertained, Sinclair.” I purposely didn’t call him Ambassador Sinclair as protocol would suggest. At this point he didn’t deserve a single bit of respect from me.

There was a moment where I suspected he was glaring at his wife. It was all I could do not to rise to my feet and wrap my hand around his throat.

And Jasmine had called me arrogant.

“Well, it was really lovely meeting you, Mr. Royal. How is my daughter?” At least her question was laced with concern, although I sensed a complete change in her personality.

“Jade. Enough. Leave us alone.”

Now she scurried from the room.

Only after she was gone did he head toward the coffee machine, pouring himself a cup. When he finally looked at me, I couldn’t tell if he was filled with surprise or disgust. As if I cared, but I did find the man’s stiff body language quite curious.

He sat down, never blinking, even taking a couple of sips of his coffee.

I placed my cup on the table, sitting back and crossing my legs. I wanted him to see I was completely relaxed.

“Mr. Royal. You’re a busy man and so am I. Why did you take my daughter?”

While I hadn’t provided but so many details from the night before, merely making demands after his screaming battle, for him to jump to these conclusions was interesting. “Mr. Sinclair. You are correct in that I ensured your daughter was safe last night. That’s because she was attacked in a parking lot next to the hotel of the charity event you refused to attend.”

At least he had the decency to open his eyes wide. “What do you mean attacked?”

“Just what I said. Three men appeared to be attempting to kidnap her. They were armed and in my professional opinion, they were hired guns. The attack wasn’t random.”

He even seemed a bit strangled, uncertain of what to say in response. Of course, as with most men in power, the silence was short lived.

“What the fuck are you getting at?”

“Who said I’m getting at anything other than your daughter’s life was placed in danger last night because of you.”

He snorted, glaring at me in the same way as Jasmine had done so many times.

“I doubt my politics in another country has anything to do with the fact my daughter was attacked. This city is crime ridden, full of hoodlums. Don’t you dare blame me for what happened.”

There wasn’t a question about how she was or if she’d been hurt, just a pompous man incensed I’d questioned him in any way.

That made me sick inside, repulsed.

And had me wishing I was more of a killer than I was.

I leaned forward, folding my hands in front of me. “Hear me clearly, Mr. Sinclair. I am well aware of your involvement with a highly treacherous mafia organization operating in your country. I also know you’re suspected of taking bribes from the organization, the reporter calling you out on the carpet mysteriously killed.”

I was pushing the truth, but I wanted to see his reaction. There was something honest about the quick flash in his eyes. I couldn’t quite tell if it was from fear or something else.

“Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t have buddies here eager and willing to do their bidding if requested. For a price, of course. Your daughter is a weakness whether you want to believe it or not.” As I continued, I fell into a comfortable routine.

It was always entertaining when you caught an asshole in a web of deceit.

He was shocked at first, followed by the classic red-faced anger and finally a hard glare as if dismissing my claims completely. “How. Dare. You.”

“How dare I? I was there. I am the sole reason she wasn’t kidnapped or worse. I suggest you provide some respect, which quite frankly I deserve and demand.”

The man wasn’t quite certain what to make of me.

“You’re a son of a bitch.” I’ll be damned if he didn’t pull out his checkbook. “How much do you want? It’s always about money. Greed.”

I had to burst into laughter. “You have no clue who I am or the status of my family in this country. Do you?”

“Why should I give a shit. How much? I need to get this over with, and my daughter back under this roof. Now.”

“What, so you can sell her off to a buddy of yours?” Oh, that shocked him. “Some fancy wedding right here in DC. That will up your standing significantly.”

“It’s none of your fucking business. Give me a number of what it will take. Now. I’m a busy man.”

“Let’s just say in the billions. Now, that should tell you my visit has nothing to do with money. However, I believe you’re lying about my family, Sinclair. You should remember the name of my father, Sebastian Royal.” I waited, studying his eyes. “I assure you that he remembered you very well.”

Exhaling, he slipped the billfold back into his jacket, running one hand over his mostly bald head. “Fine. I knew your father but that was a long time ago.”

“I’m curious. In what regard?”

“We met at an international dinner. We hit it off. We started a long-distance friendship. Nothing more.”

“Oh, okay.” Of course he was lying his ass off. He had no clue why I was really here and certainly wasn’t going to be up front about whatever relationship they’d had. At least his facial expression allowed me to confirm there was a reason he was on my father’s list.

“What do you want, Mr. Royal? As I said, I am a busy man. We’ve just arrived. I have a house to set up, an office at the embassy to visit, and I need my daughter here.”

“As a crutch or as a target?”

He was ready to jerk to his feet, once again his face turning beet red. “Stop with your accusations. I love my daughter.”

“If the men who tried to hurt your daughter have any resolve, and I assure you they do, they will return. They’ll stop at nothing to get what they want.”

“I have men to protect her.”

“Even if she continues to evade the man you hired specially to be on her detail?”

He took a deep breath. “If you know anything about her, you’d know my daughter is conniving.”

“Cunning, yes. Clever, you bet, but I wouldn’t use the word conniving. She simply doesn’t want to feel like a prisoner for the rest of her life and you and I both know that’s exactly what will happen. Especially in trying to sell her off. Shocking but I can see that about you. And those men you’re talking about roaming your grounds? They couldn’t protect a stray dog.”

“You don’t know crap. I pay them well.”

“Right. They are wearing their guns in places that won’t be easily accessible when necessary, which means the enemy will shoot them dead before they retrieve a single weapon. While it’s apparent I was expected, not one of them bothered to question my arrival. I could be anyone who’d learned about this meeting and interfered. Should I continue with my evaluation?”

At least Sinclair knew I had him by the balls.

“Then what do you want? If my goddamn security is so bad. What is it that you want? Or are you telling me you want to marry her?”

“The woman can choose who she wants to be with on her own. This is America.”

He burst into laughter. “Don’t be a fool. There isn’t a mafia syndicate in this country who doesn’t use arranged marriages to keep power, gain more, or simply keep certain enemies under foot. Perhaps you knew the connection would be powerful.”

Now I knew the bastard had planned on selling her to a member of the Honoured Society. It was all I could do not to wrap my hands around his throat, not thinking twice before I snapped every bone.

“For you to admit that means you should know bringing your family here wasn’t in your best interest. Two-timing any mafia organization will result eventually in your death. But not before some pretty vile things happen to your wife and daughter. For kicks and giggles, they might force you to watch.”

“You’re disgusting.” He finally did jerk to his feet, coffee sloshing out onto the saucer. He stormed toward the set of French doors and while he appeared to be looking outside, I knew otherwise. He was trying to make heads or tails out of what I was getting at.

I honestly hadn’t thought completely about how best to handle the situation. I’d simply reacted at first, determined to keep her safe and far removed from harm’s way. The fact I’d never had that strong of a reaction before wasn’t completely lost on me.

He rubbed his jaw and I remained quiet, a prudent thing to do. Let the man hang himself.

“When I started out in politics, I had a dream and some money. My parents had been fortunate so I could live in a nice house, drive a nice car. It was a stressful time then. I won’t bore you with details, but we have as much strife and unrest in our country as you do in yours.”

“Go on.”

“I had ideals, huge ones. I wanted to change not only the country but the world.” He laughed bitterly. “But I learned quickly those with ideals are trampled. By then, I’d needed a way to vent my frustrations. I turned to gambling. Just simple shit at first, card games with a couple buddies. It helped significantly and I felt renewed. But their careers were taking off and we had no time to get together.”

“So you turned to the mafia.” No wonder she’d learned to play cards.

He nodded as if embarrassed. “I didn’t know who they were at the time. They were fronted by a few businessmen and an attorney, trying to keep their identity unknown for as long as possible. I was still green, thinking crimes could be controlled. Everything was legit at first, merely gambling in a couple of their rather nice establishments. I was also making significant headway in politics, able to take my platform to the press and beyond. I won a couple local elections and set my sights higher. None of my fellow opponents seemed to be attacking crime so I used that as a platform. Rumors started to fly, which hurt me in the polls, something I couldn’t have occur.”

“That’s why you decided to piss off the hand that was feeding you.”

He chuckled but not in jest. “I did, believing at that point I was infallible. I was already too arrogant at the time to care. Anyway, I was offered a couple high stakes poker games and I jumped at the chance. I was up for a bigger election and needed the release.”

“And you lost a significant amount of money,” I said casually.

“A huge amount, which I think was orchestrated of course. At first, one of the representatives patted me on the shoulder and told me no big deal. I was gullible enough or maybe just arrogant enough that I believed the guy. Of course, they were setting me up. Keep in mind, this went on for years. Years. By then I was a name, someone to be reckoned with. I had men and women across the entire country terrified of me. If I discovered anything wrong in their lives, I destroyed them.”

He was such a fool. Although I wondered just how much of the shit he was telling me was believable. “They eventually made you a deal you couldn’t refuse.”

As he turned his head slightly, he nodded. “It wasn’t even giving up all my ideals but pointing fingers at other organizations. It worked, debts cleared. But I couldn’t fucking stay away. Anyway, no matter what you hear, I care about the people of Australia. So many are impoverished, which is not something you hear about. But, as hard as I tried to get my ass out of quicksand, the further I sank.”

“And Sebastian Royal? How does he fit into all of this?”

He seemed even more sheepish. “At the time, he was the only man I could talk to. He knew everything. I trusted him but I should have known better.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning when I started receiving threats my dirty little secret would be revealed, I knew your father was behind it. I was incensed, furious, and couldn’t understand.”

I tossed something out just to get another reason. “So you had him killed.”

He snapped his head toward me, his entire body tense. “Whatever you think of me, Mr. Royal, most of which you’d be justified in doing, I’m not a murderer.”

“Did this mafia group know you confided in him?” I did believe him, which seemed odd.

He took a deep breath. “I honestly have no idea. But I could see that happening. The fuckers had my phone tapped, watched my wife and daughter at all times. He sent me pictures that highlighted what they could do.”

“And you never took those to the police?”

I already knew the answer, his laugh confirming it. “I also didn’t have a death wish. I was trying to salvage my career.”

“What prompted the move here? Hoping a chance in scenery would do the trick?”

I’d seen men look sheepish in my life, some when lies were pointed out to them. But this man suddenly appeared broken. It also seemed as if he’d aged by a dozen or more years and his ruthless dealings had already been tough on his physicality.

“Yes. I owed over a million dollars and the man in charge of the Honoured Society came to me with a one-shot deal to get out of debt and in their good graces.”

“And that was?”

“My daughter. You were right. He wanted my daughter’s hand in marriage. I knew the bastard’s reputation, as a brutal, heartless man. I’m many things, Mr. Royal, but even I won’t sell my daughter to anyone for any amount of money or debt relief.”

“Yet she said you offered her to him before.”

He was even more uncomfortable. “Yeah, I did. Only after an offer was made and I was knee deep in debt and self-pity. She left for college and I couldn’t use her. But that was the past.”

“Uh-huh.” I had no doubt he would do so again if given the chance. I was even angrier at this point.

“You don’t need to believe me. I honestly don’t care at this point. This is my last shot at making good on all my promises.”

This was entirely unexpected. I wasn’t certain whether to give him attaboy points or beat the man to death for his arrogance and stupidity.

“What is his name?” My voice had deepened all over again. “The fucking leader you made a deal with.”

He hesitated, which pissed me off even more. “Now.” While I knew, I wanted him to confirm it.

“Santini Demage. He’s a real pig. He’s dangerous.”

“So the fuck am I.”

“I hope so.”

I rose to my feet, taking my time walking toward him. “He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I know men like that because in some ways, I’m exactly like him.”

“Then you can protect her. Yes?” Now he was looking to me for my help. An interesting turn of events.

That was my plan all along, but I allowed him to think it was a terrible inconvenience. “The only way I can do that is if I take your daughter from the city. Far enough away I’ll have a chance to protect her. Is that something you can tolerate?” I wasn’t really providing him with the option.

He studied me and his lack of questions indicated that of course he knew exactly who I was. And what I was capable of. “I can do that. Yes.”

“You won’t know where and neither will your wife. Only I’ll know. And I will keep her as long as I find it necessary.” I could see a flip in his thinking.

“You are fucking out of your mind. I will not turn my daughter over to you under those conditions. You’re nothing but a pompous kid who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.”

The look on his face was enough to fuel my rage to an uncontrollable point. But his words just tossed gasoline onto the situation. Violence? I wasn’t immune nor did I fear any ramifications.

Perhaps that’s why I nearly turned over the coffee table before lunging forward, pitching the man against the wall. While I still wanted nothing more than to wrap my hand around his throat, squeezing the life out of him, I held back. Still, controlling my anger wasn’t my strong suit.

At least the man had the decency to be terrified, dropping his coffee cup as he quivered in fear.

“I’m going to provide you with a decent piece of advice. Take it or leave it, but both your life and that of your daughter just may depend on accepting it. Don’t underestimate me, Justin. Or my family. Whatever happened with you and my father will be discovered. And when I do, if you betrayed him in any way, you will suffer the consequences.”