Rafael coughed as he rubbed his neck. “Three years.”
“Three fucking years and you said nothing.”
“What was I supposed to say? That I was wrong? It took me months to convince Salvatore to work on the compound again after he accepted the truth about what happened. He had the goddamn formula perfected. You don’t know what it means. The compound will revolutionize the diamond industry. Ordinary rocks can be used. It’s incredible.”
Jago burst into laughter. “Meanwhile, when the Fassi’s real diamonds came into the picture, you ensured we orchestrated being able to take them. That set the tone for revenge that ramped up. Imagine his surprise when he learned Salvatore was alive and working on the very compound you entered into an agreement for. You turned the tables alright, Pops. You ended up playing all of us. It took the bastard a little while, but Fassi tracked Salvatore down and placed the man’s two daughters in danger. Did you even try and warn him?”
“Of course I did!”
“Did you know he was threatened? That his daughters were threatened then one taken as collateral? He felt he had no choice but to work with Fassi so his daughters would be safe. That pissed you off. What were you going to do, allow Salvatore to be killed?”
“Hell, no!” Rafael was red faced.
“That’s why you convinced Eduardo, your own nephew to work with you on allowing Salvatore to create the compound in Eduardo’s warehouse. Fassi’s men were there to claim what had been promised a long fucking time ago.”
“Fine. I’ll admit it. I thought if you were there and Fassi tried to claim the compound, you could kill him.” Rafael was shaking.
“How much did you offer Eduardo to keep your secret?” I asked, doing what I could to curtail my rage.
“Enough to make him a very wealthy man,” Rafael admitted.
“Eduardo lied for you. You had him ask for our help,” Jago said. “I just don’t get it, Pops. Why not come clean?” When Rafaeldidn’t answer, Jago groaned. “You knew right after the tragedy twenty years ago Fassi was responsible, yet you said nothing.”
“The deed was done by then. There was nothing I could do to bring back Valentino and his wife or your family, Navarro. I did what I could to make things right. I had an empire to run. Imagine what would have happened if I’d admitted we were fooled. I honestly didn’t think it would go this far. And yes, I knew if you were in Mexico you’d be able to help Brooke. I owed that to Salvatore.”
“Yeah, you did,” Jago said, exhaling.
“This far,” I hissed. “The woman I’m going to marry almost lost her life in trying to protect her own sister. Under pressure, her father left her clues, doctored pictures to make it look like I’d been the one to kidnap Brooke. He knew she’d come after me. He knew she’d remember who I was from her past. Just like you remembered the incident that happened at the birthday party.”
I was close to putting a bullet in the man’s brain.
“I’m sorry, Navarro. I did what I had to do to try and bring Brooke back. I know you very well. You proved me right by stopping at nothing to keep Fallon safe.”
“Salvatore never wanted to become involved in his old life. Why should he? He lost his wife because his own brother had talked him into becoming a part of the family business, something he’d worked hard to keep away from. Somehow, you convinced him things would be different this go-around. Or did you threaten him with exposure if he didn’t help you?”
My God. That’s exactly what the man had done.
Jago and I looked at each other. The rift was wide.
“I hate myself for what happened. I never wanted Salvatore’s family hurt. Fassi was on the other side of the world. We took precautions. Everything was almost ready. We kept it secret.”
“So how did Fassi find out the past was being relived in the first place?” Jago asked.
“That I don’t know. I don’t. Once he had, Salvatore tried to back out, but things were already taking shape.”
“You had every opportunity to come clean, Pops. You’re dead to me. But you will atone for your sins.”
“Son, I?—”
“No!” Jago snapped. “Navarro and I have set plans in motion to lure Fassi to Barcelona, but you’re the man he wants to see. You’re the man who will bring him to a meeting. After that, you will not be in my life or that of my family. Do I make myself clear?”
Rafael looked beaten.
I took a deep breath and looked away. What the hell could any of us say at this point? We were monsters through and through. No number of legitimizing operations would change that. “Twenty years ago, you took in an angry young man, making him a part of your family. You helped him work through his anger, training him to use the rage instead of internalizing the pain and suffering. I respected and admired you. I wanted you to be proud of me since you were my second father. You betrayed all of us, Rafael. All your lust for power, your need to control Spain and beyond made you lose sight of what’s most important.”
“What’s that?” he breathed, his chest heaving.
“Family.”
