“You like emeralds, hm?”
Alicia could barely pry her eyes off her present. “Green is my favorite color. I told you that, right?”
“I believe so. It also happens to be mine.”
“What a happy coincidence.”
“Yes.” Her hand pressed against the small of Alicia’s back as the man in a coat and tails approached, holding a large box. “Many sweet and happy coincidences between us, aren’t there?”
“Guess so.”
The man waited until they were finished conversing before holding up the box. “Is now a presentable time, ma’am?”
Danica glanced at Alicia with a warm look. “Now is fine. Let us see them.”
Alicia couldn’t deny the curiosity building inside of her. What could be so precious that Danica had to arrange something else to be delivered at the end of their jewelry shopping date? The staff had been dismissed. This was private, whatever it was.
Oh, no. It wasn’t an engagement ring, was it? Shit!
As Alicia began to panic, the man opened the case. Three choker necklaces appeared.
“What…” Danica picked up a silver choker and held it up to Alicia’s throat. “Danica, what is this?”
“Don’t be alarmed. Gustav is a very discreet man. Not that this is something I feel we should have to be discreet about.” The choker moved away, replaced by a golden one in her hand. “As you have probably noticed, I’m public when it comes to my intentions for you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you?” The golden choker matched Alicia’s hair. Still, Danica pulled it away, a disgusted, displeased look on her strong demeanor. “I’m training you to be my most important partner in life. A woman has to mark what is hers, somehow.”
Alicia’s eyes widened. “Marking me?”
“Perhaps I will buy you a ring soon, if that’s what you want.” She glanced at the emerald ring. “A different one. One that is more suitable for a woman of your future standing.”
“What standing is that?”
A black choker bedecked in tiny diamonds now graced her throat. Danica stood back, her smirk infectious – and dangerous. “My future wife.”
Alicia was speechless.She’s serious about that?Alicia touched the choker around her throat, encountering a small silver loop hanging from the center. It fit perfectly. Almosttooperfectly.
It wasn’t a choker, was it?
“Outstanding.” Danica turned to the man holding the case. “This is the one. Thank you.”
The man bowed. “Shall we engrave it, ma’am?”
Danica was reluctant to take the collar off Alicia’s throat. Her hand wrapped around where it had been. “If you would. We’ll wait until it’s finished.”
“Right away, ma’am.” Gustav absconded with the choker to the back room. Something about it only taking fifteen minutes. Master craftsman waiting to engrave. Something, something.
“Are you all right?” Danica turned Alicia’s head toward her. Her vision was too foggy to see her clearly. “I didn’t think I was springing that on you, but you must understand, my lovely, that a woman like me must do what she can to protect the one she treasures the most.”
“Uh-huh…”
She was still speechless when the collar was returned. Inside, right where it rested above Alicia’s collarbone, was the inscriptionMy Beloved.
“This is yours to wear whenever you’re with me, and whenever you go out in public. I don’t care if you wear it or not when you’re home without me, but it’s meant to remind both you and everyone else that you are mine, Alicia. It’s much more effective than a mere ring.” She caught the look in her eyes. “If you truly do not like it, we could find you another one, but it’s customary for me to pick out your collar for you.”
“I see.” Alicia took in a deep breath. “This is going to take some getting used to.”
