He’d discuss it with her tonight. Determine where a wedding would fit in. Tonight, they would discuss the future…and toast to doing it together.
“Ari did not wish to cross this line,” Mr. Demo continued. “But I feel with an engagement, there is no real line left. Is there?”
For a moment, Zervou felt suspended in time.
Ari did not wish to cross this line.
He blinked at the man, whom he assumed had come behind Ari’s back. Not because she didn’t want him to, but because she didn’t know.
She’d known.
She’d…refused.
Fury, white hot, scorched through him. Betrayal. This simple thing he could have done, and she had refused.
Everyone always refused.
Mr. Demo eyed him warily. Perhaps Zervou looked capable of murder in the moment. He certainly felt a kind of anger that had only ever gripped him when it came to Erjon Hyseni.
How ironic his daughter should have the same effect.
She’dknown.
He did not let his temper loose in front of this man. This stranger. He would not let his temper loose, period. Because what did temper matter? Only plans did, and he’d let his become derailed.
No more.
“I’m intrigued, Mr. Demo,” he said, trying not to clench his jaw as he spoke. “I will take all of this information into consideration. I will let you know about my decision regarding the stadium.”
“And what of sponsoring Ari for the fight in Minsk? Surely that does not require discussion with anyone.”
What of it, indeed.Zervou tapped his fingers on his desk and studied the man in front of him. Then he stood, a clear sign of dismissal. “I will let you know when I have reached my decision, Mr. Demo. And not a moment before.”
He hunched in the chair a bit at Zervou’s icy tone but then nodded and pushed himself to his feet. “Of course. She’ll win, you know. Talented girl. She’ll win. It’ll be a good fight for her. For us. Foryou, should you decide to sponsor her.”
Zervou had no doubt all of that was true.
But Ari did not want his sponsorship. She did not want to fight in his stadium. She did not want what he could offer. Not fully. She was refusing the world on his dime, and it was worse than if she’d rejected him outright this morning. No, she’d refused his help behind his back.
And that was all he needed to know.
Ari had enjoyed the day. Her classes had gone well, her training better. She was in a pleasant mood as she slid into the car Bacchus drove after a long day.
She opened the little safe she kept her ring in and slid it on her finger. She liked the weight of it. The look of it.
Married.
She still couldn’t quite get over the way Zervou had brought that up. Not lightly. There’d been an intensity to him this morning.
Ari knew better than to hope. She knew better than to believe in something that clearly was too good to be true. Maybe Zervou was letting her think there was more to this than there was or maybe he even felt this too. Maybe, in the moment, he was serious.
But it wouldn’t last.Enjoymentwas hardly the same thing as love.
She swallowed at the little lump that formed in her throat. That was all right, though. Nothing had changed really. Maybe her feelings, but in the end, this was just anotherenjoy what she could while she couldmoment. Always knowing that on the other side of it she would be going back to the way her life had been. Nothing was permanent. She was in charge of herself.
Even if he wanted to get married.
She squeezed her left hand.Enjoy the moment as it was given. Take some luxury.If it made it harder to do without later on, so be it.
