Page 83 of Tempting Devil
His mouth agape, he blinked repeatedly. “How…” He paused, swallowing hard. “How do you know about that?”
“I make it my business to know everything about everyone. Just like I know all about the conversation you had with Brian McGuire before he…disappeared.”
“He’s planning Alton’s service. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
He attempted to brush past me, but I stepped in front of him, hooking my arm around his shoulders in a friendly manner, as if we were two old friends reconnecting after a long time apart.
Bringing my phone to his ear, I hit play, watching his complexion blanch as he listened to his last conversation with Brian McGuire where he admitted to selling me. To make matters worse, both men had addressed the other by their name, leaving no question as to who was speaking.
“Is that really the story you want to go with?” I asked nonchalantly after a minute, dropping my hold on him.
He made no move to escape, too stunned to put one foot in front of the other.
“Imagine what this could do to your career if the police got a hold of it.” My eyes widened in fake shock. “Or worse, the media.”
“How did you get that?” he seethed.
“How I got it isn’t important. All that matters is I have it.”
He didn’t say anything for several moments, but I could sense the wheels spinning in his head as he tried to wrap his mind around what this could mean for him and his career.
“How much do you want?” he finally demanded, his question dripping with disdain.
I let out a low chuckle before lifting my champagne flute to my lips. The bubbles danced on my tongue as I savored the taste of victory.
“It’s so typical for you to think I’m after your money.”
“What other reason is there?”
Leaning closer, I made sure he could see the fire in my eyes as I spoke my response with calculated precision.
“Vengeance.”
My voice was barely above a whisper, but it echoed around us like a booming clap of thunder, drowning out the polite chatter of the wealthy elite.
“For years, I dreamed of this moment,” I continued. “At first, I was only after you because of what you did to Jonah.”
The instant that name left my mouth, all the remaining color drained from his face. Beads of sweat dotted his brow and his hands trembled ever so slightly.
“Jonah,” he repeated, his voice hoarse with fear and confusion. “What are you?—”
“But after hearing that little conversation, I’m doing it for me, too.”
“Doing what?” he asked, frozen in place.
“What you deserve,” I hissed, keeping my tone deathly calm, as if we were discussing the weather. Not his eventual downfall. “I’m going to watch you lose everything you care about. Money. Power. Influence. By this time tomorrow, you’ll be yet another in a long line of disgraced politicians. Then you’ll know exactly how I felt when I woke up in the hell your greed sent me to.”
“My greed? I don’t— Who are you?”
“Curious about finding Samuel Tate’s fingerprints on that glass at Alton’s cabin. Isn’t it?”
James shook his head. “How did you…”
When I lifted my champagne glass back to my lips with a smirk, he trailed off, his expression widening in realization.
“Thanks for the chat, old friend.” I patted his back somewhat harshly, causing him to cough. “I do hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your evening. I know I’ll enjoy mine.” I downed the rest of my champagne, then left him alone at the bar.
It was official. This was the best half-million dollars I’d ever spent.