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He ignores my frustration.
“She had a Georgian passport in her purse. It’s a fake. A good forgery, but a forgery. If the body was left as a message for us, someone wanted to make it seem like the Georgians were behind the sabotage. That’s something we can safely conclude.”
Tampering with my car is an act of war. I could have died.
If we go after the Georgians for it, the small war would cause just enough upheaval for someone else to sneak in under our noses and grab a foothold. It has the Russians’ signature all over it.
But it’s too easy.I never trust easy.
63
Daniela
Ispoke with Isabel and Valentina when I got back from the race. They were planning on spending the afternoon at a baseball game in the local park. Normally I would take Valentina and her friends—and pretend to look the other way when they flirted with boys. Isabel won’t be so patient.
After the call, I slid into a scented bath, lingering until right before the stylist arrived. It was indulgent, but a much-needed escape before the Camellia Ball tonight.
I adjust the ruby-and-diamond necklace that matches my gown. A small piece of my heart crumbles as I glance at it in the mirror on my way to meet Antonio.
My mother had a beautiful ruby-and-diamond necklace that my father had given her as an engagement present. It was one of the last pieces of jewelry I sold. The necklace wasn’t as elaborate as the one I’m wearing, but it would have been a better complement to this dress.
You did what was necessary.I did, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.
I turn off the light and shut the suite door behind me.
Antonio is waiting in the upper hall, near the staircase. I haven’t spoken to him since he left his apartment on Monday. I text him,done, every morning, but he never responds to those texts. Victor did let it slip that each time they speak, he asks about me.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmurs. His eyes darken as he takes me in, and I know the compliment is genuine.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty well too.” And he does. The tux he’s wearing fits like a glove, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow hips. “Congratulations. You were impressive today. Although it’s not always wise to spit in the face of danger.”
His smile fades. “Cristiano spoke out of turn.”
“Cristiano didn’t have a choice.”
He snickers as he slides his hand into his jacket pocket and pulls out a square velvet box. He holds it in his palm and pulls back the lid. “For you,” he says quietly. “Now that the word is out about our engagement, everyone will expect you to have a ring.”
“I never knew you were such a romantic,” I quip.
“It’s a gorgeous ring,” I add softly, not taking it from him yet. It appears to be an heirloom.I hope it’s not his mother’s.The thought of wearing a ring Hugo Huntsman picked out makes me nauseous.
“It belonged to my maternal grandmother. Her marriage was also arranged, but my grandparents had a very long and mostly happy life together. They died within a week of each other. My mother claims my grandfather couldn’t live without her.”
I feel my mouth curl, but I still don’t take the ring. “Tell me what happened with your car.”
“Cristiano told you plenty. You don’t need to bother yourself with the details. They’re not important. We need to go.”
He inches the velvet box closer to me, and I take a small step back.
“I can be a tame bird, kept in a gilded cage, lavished with riches and stroked occasionally, or I can be a strong ally. But I can’t be both.” I pull back my shoulders. “Before I accept the ring, I want to know if you want a loyal partner or a pampered pet.”
“I think you can be both,” he says after some contemplation. “Although not a pet. Aprincesa. And I can’t imagine you tame.”
It’s not perfect, but from a man like him, it’s the best I’m going to get. I take the ring and slide it on my finger while he watches. It shines brightly, but it’s heavy, dimming the joy that ordinarily surrounds an engagement.
“That ring comes with my promise to take care of you, and to keep you safe, at any cost.”
But it doesn’t come with the promise of love. The one thing I always dreamed I’d have in a marriage.“We’re going to be late,” I say quietly without looking at him.
