Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I tossed my hair and pinched some color back into my cheeks. I could do that for him. Be that soft spot I thought he needed, even if he didn’t or couldn’t see it.
Together, we could find our path and make this work. Build a life on what we offered each other—something the rest of the world knew nothing about.
I shut my eyes and nodded, my decision made.
I could do this.
Roman was at his desk, staring at something in his hand. He looked up as I came in, and for a moment, we regarded each other in silence. He stood, rounding the desk and leaning on the wood. He held out his hand, and I let him take mine and pull me close.
“It has to be this way, Little Tiger. There is no other solution.”
“I know.”
“So you will marry me?”
“Yes.”
He touched my cheek. “Good girl. I will arrange it all.”
I frowned then nodded.
“What?” he asked.
“I don’t get a say at all?”
“You can have anything you want, you only have to ask.”
“I would just like something pretty about it to remember. Some flowers or something,” I replied.
He frowned. “I will make sure of it.” Then he pressed a box into my hand. “We can start with this.”
I traced my finger over the faded velvet, almost afraid of what was inside. I peered up to see Roman watching me, a smile on his lips. “Never what I expect,” he murmured and took the box from my hands. “Why are you shaking?” he asked.
“Because what is in here will change everything.”
“Oh, Little Tiger, everything already has.” Then he opened the box.
I gasped at the beautiful ring, the brilliant diamond catching the sunlight, the beautiful green of the emeralds setting off the unique setting.
“My great-grandmother wore this ring. She was Irish, and my great-grandfather made this to match her eyes. My nonna wore it as well. My mother wore it on occasion, although my father insisted on buying her a different wedding ring. It goes to the child with the green eyes. Or if there are none, the firstborn.” He slipped the ring onto my finger, the metal feeling cold and heavy on my skin. “A perfect fit.”
I stared down at the stunning piece of jewelry. I had never in my wildest dreams thought I would wear a piece so beautiful.
“Roman,” I breathed out. “It’s—” I shook my head, at a loss for words.
“It marks you as mine, Effie. Taken.” He bent and kissed my mouth, his lips lingering. “And soon, the whole world will know.”
I nodded, unable to take my eyes off the ring. He laughed low in his chest. “Do you like it?” he asked, sounding playful and boyish.
“Very much.”
“We need to go see Nonna this afternoon. And we’re having dinner with Luca and Justine tonight. I will make arrangements.” He stepped back. “I have to go. Be ready in two hours. Wear one of the dresses I bought you.”
I had no words to say. No questions to ask. I was too busy processing everything, and my brain was on overload.
Roman cupped my cheek. “Are you all right, Effie? You’ve gone pale again.”
“I’m fine. It’s”—I paused—“it’s a lot to take in.”
“I’ll be right beside you.”
Recalling my thoughts earlier, I straightened my shoulders. “Yes, I’m fine.”
He smiled and tugged me into his arms, kissing me until I was breathless and dizzy. He shook his head as he pulled back. “You’re more than fine, Effie. You are breathtakingly perfect.”
Then he left me alone.
CHAPTER 21
ROMAN
Two hours later, I entered the suite, not surprised to find Effie waiting for me. She was always punctual. I stopped, smiling at her.
She wore a pink dress. Lacy, frilly, diaphanous. Girly and feminine, it suited her, the hem falling below her knees, the short sleeves covering the last of the bruising. She had her hair loose, a long dark swath of silk over her shoulders. Her makeup was light—just enough to hide the faded marks but show off her luminous eyes.
I lifted her hand to my mouth, kissing the ring that resided there now. “Beautiful,” I murmured. “Thank you.”
She blushed, running a hand down the skirt in what I had come to recognize as a nervous gesture with her.
“All will be well.”
She nodded, and I crooked my arm. “Let’s go see Nonna.”
She let me lead her to the elevator. In the car, she was quiet, and I racked my brain for something to distract her.
“I saw Margi and Anne earlier.”
Effie frowned. “Where?”
“At the hotel. They were applying for jobs. I made sure they both got one. Bill, too. Your weekend staff were hired as servers at the deli restaurant by the casino entrance. That worked best with their schedules. Margi and Anne will be working in the main dining room. Bill is in the kitchen. So your staff are all employed.”