Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN PRESTON WANTED GONE
My father wasn't the original target.
I stared at Preston across the crimson leather booth.
"What does that mean?"
He smiled slowly.
"You always were too curious for your own good."
I kept my voice steady.
"Who were you trying to hurt?"
Preston leaned back.
"Vincent had a problem. Someone was investigating the Riverside project."
"Lucia Costa."
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
"So you do know her."
I felt my pulse accelerate.
"She was trying to expose dangerous construction practices."
Preston shrugged.
"She was interfering with a valuable development."
"People could've died."
"People exaggerate risks all the time."
I stared at him.
For years, I'd wondered whether Preston ever felt guilty.
Now I had my answer.
He didn't.
He only regretted being caught.
"Did you arrange for Lucia to be attacked?"
Preston glanced toward the entrance.
Then lowered his voice.
"Vincent handled the difficult conversations."
My stomach twisted.
"And Dad?"
"Your father found evidence. He wouldn't cooperate. Then he became inconvenient."
I gripped the edge of the table.
Preston smiled.
"You're looking pale, sweetheart."
"Don't call me that."
He leaned closer.
"I could still help you."
I almost laughed.
"You ruined my family."
"I offered you opportunities."
"You stole my father's company."
"Your father couldn't see what the land was worth."
"And you could?"
Preston smiled.
"Of course."
Then he said something that explained years of cruelty.
"I wasn't going to spend my life being the poor boyfriend of an architect. I was going to own the whole project."
I stared at him.
He hadn't loved me.
He'd loved what marrying me might give him.
The realization hurt less than I'd expected.
Perhaps because there was nothing left inside me that wanted his approval.
I stood.
"We're done."
Preston's hand shot across the table.
He grabbed my wrist.
"Sit down."
I looked at his fingers.
Then at his face.
"Let go."
His grip tightened.
"You don't walk away from me."
Before I could respond, the lounge doors opened.
Roman entered with Katherine and two investigators.
Preston released me immediately.
His face turned white.
Roman looked at him.
"Funny."
Preston swallowed.
"What?"
"Last time I saw you in this room, you were making a woman kneel."
Roman stepped closer.
"Today, you seem to have forgotten how to stand."
Preston pushed himself out of the booth.
"Mr. Costa, this is a misunderstanding."
Roman's expression didn't change.
"That's becoming your favorite word."
Katherine approached me.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
The investigators identified themselves and explained the next procedural steps.
Preston's attorney would have an opportunity to respond to the evidence.
But Preston's confidence had vanished.
He looked toward Roman.
"You think this ends with me?"
Roman said nothing.
Preston laughed bitterly.
"Vincent won't let you destroy everything."
Roman's eyes narrowed.
"Where is Vincent?"
Preston looked around.
Then leaned toward him.
"You should be more worried about the people you trust."
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?"
Preston's smile returned.
"Ask your sister who helped her disappear."
Roman went still.
"Lucia?"
Preston nodded.
May you like
Then delivered the secret that changed the entire investigation.
"Lucia wasn't hiding from Vincent for seven years. She was hiding from someone inside the Costa family."
