Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(7)

At my threat, Bastien grunts out a laugh. “The police aren’t going to help you. As a matter of fact, you need to steer clear of them. They’re corrupt as fuck, and probably on Forge’s payroll too.”

When I growl out his name, Bastien shakes his head and raises his hands as if surrendering, but I know better. He doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do, and he always has an angle. I learned that the hard way.

Before he speaks, he nods at Mickey, who hovers just outside the room. “Close the damn door, but let me know if you spot anyone who shouldn’t be here.”

Bastien’s order reminds me that Forge has to be looking for me. He fucking hates Bastien, and I can’t imagine what is going through his head right now.

What if he thinks I went willingly?

I did break my word immediately after Forge and I struck a deal by going straight to the tarmac and hopping on Bastien’s jet.

Which is the entire reason I’m in this situation.

The door clicks shut and Bastien paces the room.

“Answer now, or I walk out that door in sixty seconds,” I tell him.

Bastien spins around to face me. “You’re in that much of a hurry to get back to the man who tricked you into marrying him? The one who’s using you and lying to you? I thought you had better instincts than that, Indy. I’m disappointed.”

“Sounds like you and Forge have a lot in common then, doesn’t it?”

Bastien’s expression twists with anger, but it’s nothing but a match to my own.

“Spit it out,” I say, “or I’m gone.”

He walks toward me slowly, pausing an arm’s length away. “You won’t want to go back to him when I’m done.”

“I’m waiting.” I push myself to my feet and cross my arms over my chest.

“Your sister’s kidnapping was a setup.”

The thumping in my head kicks up another notch. “You said that already. Did you do it?”

His head jerks back. “Why the fuck would you ask that?”

“Because how else would you know?”

One side of his mouth lifts in a cruel smirk. “Funny how you question everything I say now, but you didn’t bother to question why Forge wanted to marry you.”

I know he’s changing the subject on purpose, and I’m holding strong. I also know what it feels like to be played by Bastien. When I saw his boat, I should have run the other way.

“You’re bluffing. You don’t know shit.” I take a step toward the door, but Bastien blocks me.

“Am I? Seems you lose your ability to read people when you’re not sitting at a poker table.”

My hands clench into fists as Bastien turns his back on me and wanders over to the bar. I grit my teeth and take another step toward the door.

“You’re not going anywhere, Indy. Not yet.” Bastien shoots me a look over his shoulder.

I don’t know what his angle is, but he wants something from me. Otherwise, he’d never go to all this trouble. This is no mission of mercy to save me from the big bad wolf.

“I’m pretty sure my husband is going to have something to say when he finds out you kidnapped me.”

Bastien spins around to spear me with his icy glare before replacing the liquor bottle and stalking toward me. “You think Forge is the fucking hero here, and I’m the villain? Fuck no. You’ve got it dead wrong. He’s the one who tricked you into marrying him, remember?”

I take another step toward the door. “Isn’t that what you were going to do if I said yes? Or did you forget that little proposal you made already?”

“I didn’t forget shit.” Bastien’s nostrils flare. “But I also wouldn’t have used your sister as leverage. That’s what he did, right? Because he had her the whole fucking time.”

The lobster and fish I ate earlier threaten to make a reappearance on the white tile floor.

“You’re lying,” I say, my tone ragged as my stomach twists. I don’t want to believe it. I can’t believe it. Who would be so horrible?

“You don’t have to believe me,” Bastien says with a smirk. “You can figure that shit out for yourself. All you gotta do is think, Indy.”

I dig my nails into my palms as I try to steady myself. I know what Bastien’s trying to do—make me question everything. And it’s working.

I flip through the memories of how Forge said he’d help me get my sister back, but only if I said yes to his no-questions-asked favor that would be financially beneficial to him.

I remember the shock I felt when the chopper touched down on the deck of the yacht and Summer stumbled out. I couldn’t believe she was already there and safe. I was too stupid and happy and grateful to ask the million questions that popped into my mind about how he managed it.

Forge didn’t kidnap her. There’s no way. Is there?

When I don’t reply, Bastien continues.

“Actions speak louder than words, right? You know none of this adds up. He’s been playing you since day one. Fuck, even before day one. You think he walked into that card game at La Reina by accident?” Bastien taps his chin. “I wonder who told him about it? Jean Phillippe, maybe?”

I swallow. “Give me one good reason why Forge would do any of this.”

Bastien’s lips twist into a predatory smile. “No one gets something for nothing around here.”