Page 95 of The Devil's Deceit

As Dawson closes the window, the traffic officer tosses a small, silver object inside the car. Smoke instantly fills the cabin.

“What the f?—”

I reach for the door handle, but it’s too late. As I lose consciousness, I press a button on the side of my watch. The last thing I see is a blinking red light before darkness consumes me.

Chapter Thirty

GRACE

Waiting for Christian to arrive at Oakleigh feels a lot like how I imagine death row inmates must feel as they wait for the prison warden to appear in their cell when the last stay of execution has failed. Not that I’m all that familiar with what happens on death row, but I’ve seen the documentaries.

I keep replaying our conversation over and over in my mind.I hated the idea that those kids would think differently of their parents if they knew what really happened.

What does that mean? Is he going to try to shift the blame for Nexus’s collapse onto Mum and Dad? Because if that’s his game, he’s picked the wrong path. My mum was an incredible architect, and my dad’s reputation in the construction industry was exemplary.

Before his phone call, I’d planned to sit him down and tell him who I was the second he walked through the door. Now, I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to insist he talks first, and based on what he says will decide what my next move is. Either way, tonight, almost a year after my parents passed away, I’m going to find out the truth.

Or rather, Christian’s version of it, anyway.

A car door slams, and I race to the window. Charles and Alexander exit the vehicle. Imogen comes flying out of the house and wraps her arms around her husband’s neck. He strokes her hair and murmurs something in her ear, and they walk into the house together. Charles follows, raking a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. Even from here, I can see how tired he looks, and remorse presses down on my chest. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m about to bring further worries to his door. Worries he doesn’t deserve.

Christian’s father has been nothing but kind to me from the moment I met him. The De Vils have a reputation as morally corrupt business types who walk the line between what’s lawful and unlawful, but I can only speak as I find.

Same goes for Christian. I still can’t square the circle of him as a callous killer. Nothing he’s shown me leads to that conclusion.

God, how much longer will I have to wait? He said he had business to attend to but gave me no idea how long it might take.

Wait up for me.

I could be here hours. Every minute that passes makes the knots in my stomach tighten and my throat get narrower and narrower.

Pacing doesn’t work to calm me, and the pain in my abdomen stops me from eating, even though the grumbles in my stomach are loud enough for the staff to hear. Fifteen minutes pass, then thirty. When a whole hour ticks by and there’s still no sign of Christian, I can’t stand it any longer. Maybe a bath will calm my nerves.

I’m halfway to the bathroom when my phone rings.Pivoting, I dive across the living room and snatch it off the coffee table.

“Christian?”

“Afraid not,” Uncle Daniel’s monotone voice sounds in my ear.

I hiss between my teeth, glancing over my shoulder, even though I’m pretty sure I’m alone. “What the hell are you doing calling me on this phone? Christian could have answered it.”

A low chuckle comes over the phone line. “I highly doubt that considering I’m looking at your beloved right now.”

My entire world tilts on its axis.

How… how is that possible?

“He’s looking… how can I put this? A little worse for wear.”

My stomach plummets. “What have you done?” I whisper.

“Your fucking job. You’re done, Grace. I never should have sent a woman to do a man’s work.”

Anger rises in me, a pulsating fury I can’t contain. I should have seen this coming. He’s been growing more and more unhinged as time has passed. Never mind the negative effect he’s had on Arron.

“You stupid idiot. He was going to tell me everything.”

Dad’s younger brother lets out a single-note laugh. “Is that what you think? He’s played you like a fiddle. You’re too blinded by love. He could tell you any old crap, and you’d lap it up like a lovesick puppy. Get your things and get out. It’s over. I’m taking charge. I should have from the very beginning.”