Page 107 of Marked By Moonlight

I took a deep breath, then started, “This art deal stinks.”

Why mince words, I figured.

Gordon frowned.

“Everything about it stinks, from the secrecy to the manipulation and the total lack of morals,” I continued.

Gordon’s mouth fell open, but I plowed on before he could speak.

“You asked me to help evaluate a rare artwork. To ensure it found its way into good hands. And here we are, dealing with a murder, a police investigation, and a dwindling list of buyers — most of whom are highly questionable. Plus, that list was rigged from the start.”

“Now, wait a second,” Gordon protested.

I shook my head, because I’d already waited far too long.

“Now I find myself trying to salvage a sketchy backroom deal for you, and honestly, I’ve had enough.”

And boy, was I putting it mildly.

Gordon’s brows knitted together. “I never intended—”

I nearly cackled. “Oh, I think you did. I think you planned this all carefully. Not the murder, perhaps, but keeping Jensen at the top of the list and a number of other things. You planned to use me to get the deal done to your liking.”

Gordon looked sour. “Are you asking for a cut?”

I stomped the floor. “No! I don’t want a cut! I don’t want anything to do with this, but it’s too late, isn’t it?” I gulped for breath, then hammered on. “All I want now is to get this overwith and get back to my life. A life where I’m free to make informed choices about my involvement in anything.”

Gordon reached for that damn file again and pushed it in front of me. “There. Inform yourself. He’s held back plenty of information.”

In my mind’s eye, I saw myself shoving it back, sending papers flying everywhere. But I refrained.

“Keeping private matters private is different from hiding information pertinent to me, as you have done again and again.”

“Now, let me make one thing clear,” Gordon thundered.

“No, letmemake something clear,” I cut in. “If I choose Marius, that’s my choice, and you must respect it.”

“Your father would never approve,” he spat.

“Maybe, maybe not. But my father would let me run my own life. My father wouldn’t manipulate me into helping him with questionable deals. He wouldn’t engage in questionable deals in the first place.”

I sucked in a breath before my voice rose to a shout. I was that close.

Gordon’s eyes flashed with anger, but he calmed himself with a deep breath.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.” He shook his head. “I see what a mistake it was, allowing you to mix with men of their ilk.” He gestured toward the neighboring suite.

And just like that, magic struck, revealing his thoughts to me. Thoughts of killing Marius. Punishing the others. Convincing my sister and cousin to believe I had lost my marbles and could not be trusted to lead my own life.

“Don’t even think about it, Gordon. I’m warning you,” I growled.

He stared. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a warning. Leave me alone. Leave all of them alone. You depend on me more than you think.”

He snorted like I was a child and in way, way over my head.

Which I absolutely was, but I wasn’t about to let that stop me.