Page 139 of Devil's Claim

Skyler and my father were chatting just like the old friends they were. Even though Skyler had recently lost his son, he appeared relaxed and happy. I tensed and knew both men determined to protect me recognized them as well. They weren’t attempting to hide, their company in a recentFortune Magazinearticle. They thought they had the world by the balls.

I don’t know what prompted my next action unless I was simply finished with playing the victim in anyone’s game. But I took a step forward, turning slightly as if prepared to walk into the auditorium. The hard smack against my father was enough he was pitched back by a couple of feet.

“Oh, my goodness,” I said, the disguise to my voice minimal. I laughed and touched his arm, acting like I gave a damn. At first, I sensed him bristling, ready to launch into the idiot who’d bumped into him. “I am so sorry. I do so hope you’re alright.”

But after snapping his head up, he narrowed his eyes, but they softened seconds later. “No problem.”

“Are you certain, because I know with a man of your age, bones can be broken easily.” I kept the sweet smile on my face.

My father was searching my eyes, but I’d be damned. There was no hint of recognition. None. The bastard couldn’t recognize his own daughter.

“No, I’m fine.” He pushed away and I kept the innocent expression on my face even as Skyler glanced back over his shoulder.

Kruz waited until several yards were between us before daring to smack me on the bottom. “You are a defiant female devil.”

I shot him a look over my shoulder. “Keep that in mind, dear husband. Let the games begin.”

“That’s where you have it wrong, delicious treat. Let the games come to an end.”

Since we took seats near the aisle and toward the back, I was able to spend time scanning the audience. I’d brushed up on as many players as possible, also making a few calls of enticement since we were now expecting our first shipment of pink diamonds from Australia in less than two weeks. I’d dropped a few hints to the receptionist for the Diamond Dealers Club when asking her some basic questions I already knew the answers to.

Maybe I was more of a vixen than I’d given myself credit for.

I had no idea what to expect. The first thirty minutes were glow and show with financial reports. The next fifteen were about the trade show. While I was paying close attention to how my father was reacting, Kruz and the others were actively searching the room, also coordinating via silent texts with the other soldiers.

I’d caught the frustrated look on Kruz’s face. No matter what he’d told me, if Fassi didn’t show, Kruz would drive himself into an enraged state where he’d stay until he hunted the man down.

I glanced at the agenda, noticing the introduction of candidates was up next. While I had various printed materials of the information I’d downloaded from the cloud, I was still having issues about how I wanted to handle making the entire membership aware they were facing electing a criminal to the board.

As soon as the president made the segue into the introductions, I heard a slight snicker coming from Kruz. I slowly turned my head. How many times had we locked eyes before? Enough I could usually tell what the man was thinking. Not this time.

Although his eyes were twinkling.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to our next candidate, a man you’ve all come to know with the Diamond Club as he’s been an active member for years. Please welcome Skyler Worthington.”

Skyler stepped up to the podium and as soon as he did, the lights went off.

A collective groan sounded out among the audience.

“What the hell?” Skyler snarled.

I was aware of noise coming from behind the board members. Seconds later, a picture show displayed on a screen, voices heard coming from hidden speakers all throughout the room.

Leaning forward, it didn’t take me long to recognize what I was seeing. They were slides of the photographs I’d secretly taken when I’d interned for my father. The discussions held between the two men and an undisclosed person correlated beautifully to the images. Even emails were shown.

I turned my head toward Kruz, his face illuminated by the light emitted from the screen.

“You did this,” I said over the voices.

“I did what I had to do. Like I told you, I will always protect you.”

The audience soon realized what they were watching. My photos weren’t the only ones being used. Kruz and the others hadmanaged to get ahold of several brutal shots of slaves in mines and bloodied bodies of dead soldiers. When a picture of Fassi appeared on the screen, text had been added labeling him an international criminal.

Additional gasps could be heard throughout the room.

“Get that off the screen!” the president roared.

Suddenly, people were on their feet, some scrambling to the front.