Oliver scowls.“That will never happen.”
“Don’t be too sure,” I tease.“Grandmother will set her sights on you marrying Poppy when she realizes she won’t succeed with me.”
“I’ll think of something before that happens.Like joining a monastery and living in seclusion.”He pauses.“Though I remember Poppy didn’t used to act the way she does now.”
“Think it’s an act?”
“Maybe.Could be she doesn’t want to marry one of us any more than we want to marry her.”
I think about that for a second.“You might be right.I can see her father as the one pushing that agenda.He’s always wanted to get in bed with the Montclair name.”
“That man is loud and brash.Loves throwing his weight around,” Oliver says.
“Remember years ago when he approached Grandmother for the first time at a gala and loudly asked if she knew who he was?”I laugh at the memory.
“Yeah, she asked him if he was the one who cleaned her pool.”Oliver laughs too but then sobers.“Whatever you do tonight, be careful.Call me if you need me.I’ll get to you.”
“I know.”He’d said those same words to me repeatedly after the kidnapping whenever I’d leave the house.
After he heads to his office, I call Salem in.
She gasps when she sees the dress.“How beautiful.”
“Pick out jewelry to go with it.”I gesture to an array of necklaces and earrings.
She frowns as she spots a necklace featuring multiple cascading diamonds and rubies.“Is that the original Lovers Waterfall?”
“You know this piece?”
“Yes, it’s one of the most expensive necklaces in the world with a price tag of over seven million dollars.How were you able to borrow it?”
“It’s not borrowed.I own it.”As of today.When I saw it, I knew the only woman who should wear it is Salem.
Moving to the case.I lift the necklace free.
“I’m not wearing that.I’d be too nervous to move.”
“Stand still.”I drape it around her neck and fasten the clasp.
“Do you know the story behind the design?”she asks softly.
“No.”I step back to admire how it looks on her.
“The designer created it as a gift for the woman he loved but she was engaged to another man.The rubies represent his forever longing.”
“Longing,” I repeat the word softly.Maybe that’s why I felt a connection with the piece.Wanting a woman who isn’t mine.I’d give anything if that wasn’t true.I fear the dark part of me.It urges me to be selfish.
No.I’ll let this obsession go.I swear.Please…I silently beg for the strength I don’t currently have.
Salem smiles.Happy.Her happiness lights my world.I would give her the world if she were mine.Saddest fucking words I know.If she were mine…
I clear my throat.“I’ll step out and you can get changed in here.There’s a team waiting to do your makeup and hair.”
She scrunches her nose.“Afraid I’ll embarrass you with my messy bun?”
You would never embarrass me.“Not at all.I’ll change in Oliver’s office.Then we need to leave to arrive in time.”
“I’ll be ready.”
