He considers for a moment. “I have a few items here. Diamonds are classic, but sometimes you require something that’s a bit more unique, if you know what I mean.” He shows me an exceptional selection of sapphires. “I personally think diamonds are a bit too common. And unless blue diamonds are super-saturated, sapphires look much more regal. Did you know that the royals used to propose with sapphire rings? They’re really so much more romantic.”
The cuts and designs are stunning, especially set against platinum bands. I take one with a large, round stone in the center, its color the shade of the Pacific on a calm, sunny day, with diamonds surrounding it like little flames. Small sapphire chips dot the surface of the band, giving it a contemporary butclassic feel. As I turn the ring, the stones reflect the lights like tiny midnight stars. It’s fit for a princess.
I close my eyes for a moment to imagine it on Klein’s finger. It’d complement her creamy complexion, and stand out for all the right reasons. People would admire a woman wearing a ring as stunning as this.
Most importantly, it’ll show everyone she’s taken.Stay away, motherfuckers. She’s mine.
God, that’s going to be satisfying.
“This one,” I say.
“A great choice,” Andrew says sincerely.
I scan the area again just in case I missed something. I stop as a tiara snags my attention. It’s large enough to be noticed without being obnoxious, the clear stones evenly cut and sparkling like each holds its own inner fire. “That one—all diamonds?”
“Yes, set in fourteen-karat white gold,” he says.
“Okay. That one, too.” I can just picture Klein with the tiara in her pretty curls, looking bright, beautiful and special. A sweet princess.
“Certainly, sir.”
“My accountant will arrange for the payment,” I say, texting instructions to the man who manages my large expenditures, then share the information with Andrew. The wire should go out within an hour of confirming the price.
“Of course.”
“Once the payments are finalized, deliver both to Josh Huxley at Huxley & Webber.” I hand him my card.
“Yes, sir.”
I nod and head out. I don’t want to be late for my lunch meeting with one of the most well-known socialites in the world. Elizabeth Pryce-King is famous for her charitable work, but also famous for being Hollywood megastar Ryder Reed’s only sister.She agreed to see me at the last minute, saying her husband canceled a date because of some work emergency. She sounded a bit forlorn, but not for long.
She picked Éternité for the meal. The contemporary Japanese fusion restaurant has a wait list so long, people joke that you might die before you get to eat there. But she can always get a table because her cousin owns the place.
I head inside and give the hostess Elizabeth’s name. She nods and takes me through the airy, open hall space all the way to the back where the private rooms are. She opens one to her left. “Here you are, sir.”
I take a step inside. Elizabeth is at the round table, her golden hair cascading down her back. She’s a beautiful woman with intelligent gray eyes and soft, delicate features. However, I never felt any attraction to her—something about her didn’t speak to me, although we’re good friends.
As the head of the Pryce Family Foundation, she’s an extremely influential fundraiser for a variety of worthy causes. Unlike many charities, her foundation actually sends most of the money raised to the people she hopes to help, which is why I regularly donate to it.
As usual, she is in a well-fitted dress—this time pink—and gives me a wide grin. “Hey, Josh.”
“Hey.” I start to take a seat, then notice we aren’t alone. Her assistant Tolyan is sitting behind her, looking like an even-more-humorless-than-usual version of the Grim Reaper. The man’s from Russia, and he doesn’t say much. I actually thought he was either mute or didn’t speak English until I heard him brief Elizabeth about some embezzlement scandal at one of the organizations she was planning to partner with. There’s a thick solidity to him, the kind that has to do with brutal efficiency and physicality. His dark navy suit isn’t custom made, but it’s well tailored and fits him perfectly. I’m convinced the man’s reallythere to protect her—it’s just that she feels a self-conscious about having “a bodyguard” tagging around with her everywhere.
“I didn’t realize Tolyan would be here,” I say.
“You can trust him to keep whatever we discuss confidential.”
I nod, then order the sea bream drizzled with basil and wasabi sauce. It’s served raw, which I like. The server leaves, and we make small talk for a few minutes. Then Elizabeth leans forward.
“Okay, so. Who’s this woman? Tell me everything,” she says.
“My assistant. Haven’t you met her?”
“No. You never introduced us, and I never had a reason to go to your office. I’m not my brother.”
“Too bad. You could’ve been a bigger star than Ryder.”
“Ha. Say that to his face—but invite me first because I want to see his reaction.” She waggles her well-shaped eyebrows.
