CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
A crease formed in Anthony’s brow as Crystal continued to stare at him in shock and horror. The man standing before her was far from dead. In fact, he was the epitome of health with a golden tan and his blond hair trimmed and styled as if he were an advertisement for a high-priced salon. His appearance was a stark contrast to the wounded, bleeding man she had seen in Max’s memory. A man who had been attacked by the enemy he now stood beside. What the fuck was going on?
His smile dimmed as he stepped closer. “Is that recognition I see in those eyes?”
Crystal’s breath shuttled in and out of her lungs as she tried to stem her panic. This was Max’s friend. A friend whose death crushed him and set him on a course of vengeance.
A scream welled in her throat to demand answers for why he would allow Max to be hurt like that by believing he was dead. Was he a double agent, or was he just as duplicitous as Madden?
“Have we met before?” Anthony asked. When she didn’t respond, he looked over at Madden. “May I?”
“Be my guest.” He gestured magnanimously.
She tensed in anticipation of a blow as Anthony grasped the back of her neck and tilted her chin up with his thumb. But the hit never came. His mouth covered hers in a kiss so gentle she almost burst out laughing.
What was he doing? These men had just been making nonchalant threats about taking her against her will. Did he seriously think a tender kiss would make her more pliable to their dark plans? That she would immediately trust him enough to answer his questions? The only feeling he was evoking within her at that moment was gratitude for allowing him easy access to his memories.
Anthony’s memories…
There were not enough curse words in the world to convey the emotions that boiled as she witnessed the extent of Anthony’s betrayal. He had set Max up. Anthony had known those men were going to be at his house that night. His death had been faked to allow him the autonomy to go underground and implement Madden’s plans.
Where he had been caught unaware and began to form a new strategy was when Max had revealed his telekinetic powers. DeMateo had wanted a witness to his death, and Max saving him had not been part of the plan.
However, the night still worked out in Anthony’s favor. He “died” and Max had assisted in killing most of the men that Anthony had been tasked with disposing of once he had been declared dead.
Anger surged through her at the knowledge that Max had been used by someone he loved and trusted. Before she thought better of it, she bit down on Anthony’s lip until she tasted blood.
He jerked away with a grunt of pain, his eyes wide with surprise. He put his hand to his mouth, and drew it away to stare incredulously at the blood on his fingers. The narrowing of his eyes was all the warning she received before he backhanded her across the cheek.
She choked on her gasp as stars swam in her vision. There was the slap she’d been expecting. Damn, that hurt.
With Madden’s laughter echoing in the background, Anthony grabbed her by the hair. “Who do you think you are?” He sneered in her face. “I know you know who I am. How? How do you know me?”
“I know you, Anthony DeMateo. I know you from the man who used to call you friend, you lying, traitorous bastard!”
Using James as a brace, she lifted both knees high then drove her stilettos into Anthony’s chest. He stumbled back against the wall with a satisfying thud.
As her weight came back down, she dropped to the ground and rolled James over her back. Oh, how she wanted to follow up with a few extra kicks to his head, but escaping took priority.
She ran across the marble floor toward the exit. Just as her hand closed around the doorknob, she was tackled from behind and slammed against the door.
Anthony’s body pinned her in place as he reached for her flailing fists. One well-placed punch, that was all she needed to break free.
With her front pressed to the wall, he captured both wrists and placed his mouth near her ear. She grimaced and shuddered as he panted hot, moist air against her neck. “You know Max?”
A hysterical giggle bubbled up her throat. “I know Max. Very well.”
Madden, who had been standing off to the side being entertained by the theatrics, stepped closer. “You know my son?”
“Don’t you dare lay claim to him,” she spat. “He deserves better than you. Better than either of you.”
Anthony shook her. “How do you know him?”
She glanced meaningfully at Madden before returning Anthony’s stare. “Do you really want me to tell you that?”
Oh, yes. She had seen many things in his memories. Anthony’s plans of betrayal included more than one Madden. A tidbit she hoped to leverage as a means to use Anthony to get out of Madden’s lascivious clutches.
“Do you want me to tell you everything I know about you, The Second?”
He sucked in a breath then let it out slowly. “Well, this game just got interesting.”
A blink later, the hard row of his knuckles zoomed forward to connect with her head, plunging her into darkness.