I nodded, hating the fact tears were threatening to give my weakness away. “Yes, to make him tell me what the hell was going on.”
He took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds as he leaned forward. “Go on.”
“By the time I arrived, which was maybe three hours later, he was gone. And no, his place wasn’t trashed. It was locked uptight. I searched everything, finding a note addressed to me saying he was sorry. Sorry? Imagine.”
He shifted in his seat, never blinking.
This was the point where I had no intention of going into any details.
“His own daughter was missing and he just said he was fucking sorry. The bastard packed a suitcase and left. He didn’t give a shit about his daughter who was missing.” My anger wasn’t staged. I’d never felt so betrayed in my life. That’s when I dug through his things.
Then I’d learned the truth.
“You’re certain your sister was taken and didn’t leave because she was scared, perhaps finding somewhere to hide?”
“Give me a break, Navarro. Her place was trashed as if the bastards had been searching for something. Her phone was there, no clothes taken. Maybe whatever my father stole from them. Money? I don’t know because I’m not a criminal. Just look at the picture. Take a good look at it. If she’d fled, within a couple hours she would have found a way to contact me.”
The photograph held his gaze for another few seconds. He was angry, but at that moment, not with me. “The photo was doctored, Fallon. Whether you chose to believe me or not, I had nothing to do with Brooke being taken.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
“You’ll need to if you hope to obtain answers.” Damn it. The man looked even more handsome with the two-day stubble covering his jaw.
“I hope you’re not lying to me, Fallon. People who do don’t like the consequences they face after doing so. I’d keep that in mind if I were you.”
CHAPTER 9
Fallon
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s not nice to threaten your guest?” I threw back at him.
His expression was carnal. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s not nice to lie to your savior?”
I opened my mouth to throw out another retort but was interrupted.
A knock on the door was followed by one of the men who’d been in the club walking in.
The soldier’s face highlighted the damage I’d done. So did his hateful eyes. At least I could take pride in the fact I’d given him a black eye. “Sorry to interrupt you, boss, but Mr. Torres and Mr. Blanco arrived and are on their way to the warehouse.”
Navarro sighed heavily, barely glancing in the man’s direction. “I’ll be right there, Silvio, as soon as I finish my conversation with our mysterious guest.”
He kept his eyes pinned on me, never blinking and never allowing his attention to be drawn away even for a second.
“Yes, sir.”
Sir. The man was obviously powerful enough he demanded respect from everyone in his savage life.
Silvio left, closing the door behind him and Navarro leaned farther forward. “You need to listen to me. We’re not finished with our conversation. You’re holding something vital from me and you will need to tell me when I return. I’m taking you to one of the bedrooms so you can get some rest. Do not attempt to leave this house or you will be punished. Do I make myself clear?”
His stare was dark, the anger brimming just below the surface.
“Crystal.”
He eyed me carefully before rising to his feet.
Appraising me as if my sudden appearance had disrupted his entire night.
“I’ll do what I can to help you, Fallon, but you’ll need to return the favor. You’re protected here, but if you were to escape, the moment you set foot outside the protection of this house, you will have a target on your back. More so than before. I suggest you get comfortable. You’ll be my guest for an indefinite period. Do not displease me. As you’ve already determined, I’m not a very nice man.”
