Page 109 of Devil's Property

“He was planning on taking his family away from Spain.”

He nodded. “Apparently.”

He’d planned on honoring my mother’s request.

“And he’s planning what will happen in case of his death.”

His sigh was heavy. “That’s what it appears.”

“Does that mean he didn’t betray Rafael?”

“That remains to be seen, but I think we can assume he was well aware something was about to go horribly wrong. He took a huge chance with selling the house.”

“Yes, he did.”

“Nothing from your father yet?”

Shaking my head, I even pulled the phone from the little purse I had strapped around my neck, staring at the screen. “Maybe he’s already dead.”

“He survived twenty years after the massacre. He’s a smart man.”

“But someone found him.”

“That’s my belief.”

“Fassi?” I’d done some research on the Moroccan crime lord, although the data was sketchy. However, he was considered one of the most dangerous men in the world.

Navarro sucked in his breath. “My best guess.”

“What if Papa really is dead? What then? How are we going to follow through with the conniving plan you concocted?”

His chuckle was deep. “We concocted. Remember? You insisted.”

I rolled my eyes on purpose. “You needed help.”

“So you kept telling me. What is the American expression? There are two ways to skin a cat? In this case, a rat. Let’s not jump to any conclusions. You and your sister are wealthy women.”

“Money. He sacrificed for over twenty years so his girls would have money. I don’t know how I feel about that. It feels like blood money.”

“You can’t think that way, Fallon. For all the anger I felt for that man and your uncle over the years, it’s easy to tell how much he loves both of you. Use it to build a life the way you want.”

“Why do I have a feeling you already have something in mind?”

“Why not a gallery? Maybe two. One here in Santa Barbara, one in Barcelona.”

I feigned shock, sucking in my breath and placing my hand over my heart. “A ruthless man such as yourself would allow me to work?”

“Wait until you meet the two women who rule Jago and Kruz with iron fists. They’re the breadwinners.”

We both laughed and for the first time since I’d met the dark, dangerous man, I noticed the light shining through his beautiful eyes. Perhaps he was learning to let the past go just like I was.

What the heck? Maybe we were good for each other.

I gathered the items, shoving them back into the envelope before we both stood.

“We have a plane to catch. Let’s pack whatever you want to take with you. For now. We’ll return when this is over with.”

“Will it ever be over, Navarro?”