I ran a hand over my face. This was a disaster. How was I supposed to keep up the façade when it wasn’t a façade anymore? The whole point of this was to secure my inheritance. But now? The money, the company, all of it was nothing compared to her.
The small velvet box I’d been carrying around with me suddenly burnt a hole in my pocket. I bought it the very same day she was released from the hospital and have been carrying it with me ever since, waiting for the perfect opportunity to ask her to spend forever with me.
I reached into my pocket and gently sat the velvet box on the bartop between us.
Dalton’s eyes flicked down at the corner of the box and widened. “Shit.”
“I’m going to tell her the truth.” I admit, not looking at Dalton but at the velvet box. I’d started this as manipulation. I’d used her trust, played with her feelings, and now I wantedeverything. I wanted her to say yes not because it was part of a plan, but because she genuinely wanted to spend her life with me. How could I put this ring on her finger while hiding the truth? The thought of proposing with a lie hanging over us made my chest tighten and my stomach churn. She deserved the truth. She deserved honesty, no matter how much I stood to lose.
Dalton exhaled, a low whistle escaping him. “Fuck…You love her.”
“I do.”
The velvet box was no longer just a ring. It was my confession, my hope, and my reckoning all wrapped into one. I’d lose everything if she walked away, but I’d rather be honest and lose it all than live a lie with her by my side.
“Look, I’m happy for you, man. Really, I am. But let’s not lose sight of thevery realissue here. Time’s running out, man. Hundreds of millions, your legacy, all of it. And if she says no, poof—gone. And me? I’d be losing a fortune too just like that.” He snapped his fingers.
“I know what’s at stake,” I said tightly.
“And you’re still willing to risk it all?” Dalton asked.
My throat worked, but I didn’t say anything.
Dalton leaned back, shaking his head with something almost like awe. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
* * *
THE PRETTY PINT-SIZED woman who opened the door wasn’t the one I was expecting. Taylor Thorne, Rhodium’s personal bodyguard, stood in the doorway of the R&B princess’s house, leveling me with a gaze that would make lesser men run.
I met her gaze head on, refusing to let her or anyone else keep me from fixing things with Elise.
“Can I help you?” Taylor crossed her arms over her chest.
“I need to speak to Elise. I know she’s here.”
“Maybe she is,” Taylor didn’t move an inch. “Doesn’t mean she wants to talk to you.”
“I need to apologize.” I tried again.
Her piercing brown eyes regarded me shrewdly for a moment before taking a step back. “She’s in Kelsey’s room. Last room down the hall.”
I moved forward and headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time before I finally reached the top. Soft laughter spilled out from one of the rooms, revealing where I would find Elise.
I knocked once and waited.
It seemed like hours before the door opened but in reality, it couldn’t have been more than ten seconds.
Kelsey opened the door, her eyes roaming over me from head to toe before she settled back on my face. “Took you long enough.” She said to me before turning her head. “He’s here.”
She stepped back and opened the door wider, revealing Elise who sat with her legs crossed, looking impossibly small on the king-size bed. I took in the redness of her eyes and dried tear streaks on her cheek and I didn't wait for Kelsey to invite me in. I pushed my way into the room and crossed the carpet until I stood across from my girl.
“I’ll be downstairs,” Kelsey announced before quietly excusing herself, leaving Elise and I alone.
“Hi.” My voice was soft, scared that if I spoke above a whisper I’d run her off.
“Hi.”
Silence filled the room.
