Instantly, Sev’s arm wrapped around her, offering strength and protection. She gave hishand a reassuring squeeze, an unspoken message that even though she appreciated his support, she intended to handle this confrontation on her own terms.
“Tina, Kurt.” She offered a smile. Not one of apology. Not one of nervousness or regret. But an open smile of genuine affection. Asmile from the heart.
To her astonishment, they responded in kind. “Has Severo told you the news?” Tina asked.
Francesca glanced in bewilderment from Sev back to the Fontaines. “What news?”
Sev shook his head. “I was hoping we’d run into you, so you could tell her, yourself.”
Tina grinned. “We reached a compromise. Timeless Heirlooms is now a subsidiary of Dantes. But Sev’s agreed that we can continue to run it, with a few changes to assist the bottom line.”
“Such as Dantes being in charge of acquiring new designers,” Sev inserted. “And a few fiscal repairs that Kurt will oversee.”
Tina waved that aside. “With Dantes’ name behind us and our contract with Juliet Bloom, TH is guaranteed to skyrocket to the top.” Ever the businesswoman, she added, “Anytime you want to contribute one of your designs, my dear, you’re more than welcome.”
Sev gave Tina a pointed look. “I believe there’s something else you wanted to tell Francesca.”
Tina squirmed. “Oh, right. That.” She released a gusty sigh. “I owe you an apology. Sev didn’t tell me about your connection to Kurt. His PI did. The man tried to double his profit by reselling the information.”
“I’ve since taken care of the matter,” Sev added.
The tone of his voice left little doubt in Francesca’s mind that the PI was bitterly regretting his most recent business decision. “Thank you for clearing that up,” shesaid.
A nervous light appeared in Kurt’s soft-blue eyes. “We were wondering... That is, Tina and I were wondering... Perhaps you’d be available some evening for dinner. I’d like the opportunity to get to know my daughter. If you’re willing, that is.” He visibly braced himself. “After all we’ve put you through, I’ll understand if you’d rather not.”
Francesca could feel her face crumpling and knew she teetered on the edge of totally losing it. Only Sev’s presence at her back gave her the necessary strength to respond. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much,” she managed to get out, praying they didn’t hear the tears sprinkled through the words.
Tina broke from her husband’s side and gave Francesca a swift hug. “I never wanted children. It’s a messy business, one that never suited me. But having a grown stepdaughter sort of appeals. We can, Idon’t know, do lunch, or something. Shop and have drinks. Or if you’d prefer a more traditional stepmother, Ican have you sweep out the hearth and fix me tea and dress you in soot-covered rags.”
Francesca grinned through her tears at the Cinderella reference. “Works for me. The first part, Imean. Not the rest.”
“Well, then. Fine.” Tina cleared her throat, more awkward than Francesca had ever seen her. “We’re all good, right?”
Francesca laughed. “Very good.”
The instant the Fontaines departed, Sev cupped her elbow and urged her through the double doors and onto the balcony. The night held an unseasonable warmth, soft and balmy. Together they wandered to the balustrade and leaned against it. From their Nob Hill perch they could stare out at the bright lights that glittered below them like a carpet of diamond shards.
“This is where I first saw you,” Francesca murmured.
“This is where I first fell in love with you.” He turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Francesca. Ishould have trusted my instincts from thebeginning. Hell, Ishould have trusted you. For most of my adult life it’s been my job to protect my family and our business from all threats.”
“And you saw me as a threat.” Not much question aboutthat.
“The biggest threat, because you were the one person capable of tempting me to forget honor and duty and responsibility.”
“I’d never ask that of you,” she protested. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to open your heart and let me in.”
“It’s wide open, love, and just waiting for you to step across the threshold.”
“Is that The Inferno talking?”
“Maybe it is. Or maybe The Inferno knows what lies in our hearts and forces stubborn men to see the truth. Because the truth is you’re my heart and soul, and always will be. But I’d also like you to be my wife.”
All her life she believed herself on the outside, looking in. Now she realized it wasn’t true. It had never been true. Fear kept her from taking that final step, from seeing the open doors. They’d always been there, she’d just been too busy protecting herself from hurt to take that leap of faith and walk inside.
She took the step now, hurtling herself against Sev. His arms closed around her,bringing her home. And then he kissed her, telling her without words just how much he loved her. Long minutes passed before they drew apart.
He reached into his pocket and removed a familiar looking jeweler’s box, emblazoned with the Dantes’ logo. He thumbed it open, revealing a set of rings. The first was the engagement ring Primo designed, the other the band that mated with it. Maybe it was his imagination, but the fire diamond no longer appeared dim. Now it seemed to rage with its own inner inferno.
