Esme winced. ‘I may have caused more harm than good.’
He shrugged. ‘Who cares?’
She frowned. ‘I do.’
His smile dimmed, a harsher look entering his eyes. ‘You have a soft heart. That’s always been your downfall. But don’t beat yourself up about it. You achieved what you wanted, didn’t you?’
‘At what price, though? Isn’t there a riot brewing now because of it?’
His chains rattled as he waved away her concern. ‘A riot is always brewing in this place.’ After a quick glance at the guard, he leaned forward and said under his breath, ‘But we can work all this to our advantage. The moment I saw you on TV, I knew things were looking up.’
‘You couldn’t possibly have predicted this?’
He sent her a droll look. ‘How many times did you see me place the most unlikely bet and come out on top?’
Her unease grew, her heart picking up its beat as she stared at him. ‘So you gambled with your health, with your life?’
He sat back with a huff. ‘What life? I’d much rather throw a final dice than end up here for the long term. And I was right to do so, wasn’t I? The rumours are true? You’re living with Sultan Al-Ameen at the Royal Palace?’
‘How do you—?’ She stopped and shook her head. ‘No, not in that way—’
‘Don’t lie to me!’
A knot of anger burst through her. ‘I’m not lying! And I don’t intend to, not for you, or for anyone.’
‘That’s a shame. You could have been so good at it if you hadn’t been so pious and boring.’
The anger disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, leaving her sad and disappointed. ‘I was a child, Dad. A child you manipulated and blackmailed to suit your own selfish gains.’
‘Those selfish gains you’re sneering at put you through boarding school, put food in your belly and gave you a front seat to a life most people dream of.’
‘You were...are a con artist,’ she whispered raggedly.
‘And you benefitted from the fruits of my labour.’ He grinned suddenly, as if the memory brought him paternal pride. ‘So does the Sultan know what you did to that poor sucker in Vegas?’
Icy fingers crawled up her spine and latched onto her nape, along with a renewed dose of anger. ‘That man’s name was Bryan. And I didn’t do anything to him. He was my friend before you ruined everything.’
‘Still doesn’t answer my question. Does the big man know?’
She blinked back tears, and pursed her lips. ‘I haven’t divulged every detail of my personal life to him, if that’s what you’re asking.’
All traces of laughter left his face. ‘Because you don’t plan on being here that long?’
‘I’ll be here for your trial.’
‘And then what? You’ll wait until they lock me up permanently and then wash your hands of me once and for all?’ he sneered.
‘I don’t—’
His chains jangled again as his hand slashed through the air. ‘Forget it. Maybe I’ll die before any of this happens.’
She inhaled sharply. ‘Don’t say that!’
‘Why not? Maybe expecting you to forget the past was too much to hope for—’
Whatever he’d been about to say was suddenly chopped off by the deep spate of coughing that racked him. The horrendous sound, accompanied by the sound of the rattling chains in jarring synchronicity, went on for almost a minute. And then he lowered his hand.
Three things happened almost simultaneously.