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“There is so much more that I’ve learned. I’m still wrapping my mind around it. I’m sure you know all of this too. How do I accept this when I don’t even like the guy?”
I could almost hear her say, “Because he’s family and had as little choice in this as you did.”
“One last thing before I go. This one is a big one.”I released a deep breath.“You’re going to be a grandmother. It definitely wasn’t planned. I guess you are the one person who would understand. I’m not sure how things will go with Devani. We are in a battle of wills.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face.
“She set up her whole operation to give me this revenge I never wanted. Killing him won’t bring you back. I’d rather keep him alive and watch every little thing he built tumble around him because of his greed. Then, when he tries to pick up the pieces, be the one to remind him of all he lost by taking that from him too.”
I dropped my head as realization dawned on me. Everything I’d said to Devani was complete bullshit.
I may have put the idea of killing Shah to the side but not the notion of destroying him.
Initially, it had been a game of sorts. I’d felt a slight sense of satisfaction every time I made money for King Holdings and took a deal, a property, a position on a board, anything, even something inconsequential from Shah or his partners.
If I was truly going to lay it out there for myself, revenge laced every fucking thing I’d done. Especially after Shah had orchestrated Kir’s accident and Jayna’s stabbing.
I’d catered to my ruthless reputation. Shah couldn’t move without feeling my presence, from the support I’d given Monica Shah during their divorce to the donations I’d made to help his opponent win during Shah’s bid for the Senate.
Arin wanted revenge for me all those years ago, and I’d never realized it. Or I’d pretended not to understand it.
“Let Ashok Shah see the son he threw away sitting as a king on a throne while he lingers below.”
Arin knew I had to channel my anger, and he’d given me an outlet. One that had helped make the family filthy rich. I’d never be able to figure out how he knew what to do with each of us.
I released a deep breath and skimmed a palm across the grass near my feet.
“Well, Mum. It looks like I lied to her. She saw it, and I didn’t. I know what you’d say. I better fix it. Not sure how that is going to happen. From the information I’ve gotten, she has to see this mission through. She’s in danger, and it’s killing me to know I can’t do anything to help her.”
“Are you so sure about that?”A question came in Gujarati from behind me.
In a flash, I pivoted, pulling my pistol from the back of my pants. My security team followed suit and positioned themselves next to me, ready to protect me if necessary.
I stared directly into Neil Joshi’s eyes.
He held my gaze, unconcerned by the multitude of weapons pointed at him, and behind him stood that fucker, Noah Carter.
I remembered Carter from the time Lilly worked with Solon. The asshole had pretended to be some British earl or some bullshit back then when in reality, he was a Colorado rancher.
I remained quiet, studying Neil.
We’d never met formally, and the few times he’d passed me, outside of pegging him for a cop, I kept my focus on Devani. But, now that he stood before me, I couldn’t deny the truth.
We shared almost the same height and build. Even our eyes looked the same. Well, outside of the color, with Neil’s being a deep brown with a bit of gold and mine the exact shade of Shah’s, amber. Then there was the jawline we’d both gotten from the bastard.
Neil narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw.
He knew I knew.
“Do you want to help her, King?” The edge in his tone made it very clear that the other subject wasn’t open for discussion.
“My answer depends on the conditions.”
“It’s simple. You help me complete my objective for this assignment, and I will make sure you get your queen.”
I smirked. “No one can make sure my queen does anything. That is the issue at hand. She is singular when it comes to her missions.”
“You’re willing to let her risk your child?”
