My father’s words ring in my ears as I stare at the number one problem in my life right now.
“Find, protect and seduce these three women and the diamond dynasty will be ours.”
6
ROSE
Iam trying so hard to keep it together, but the moment Julius mentioned Morgan Sorcusi, my heart cracked open and revealed a festering wound.
Tears burn behind my eyes as she crashes back into my life, and it’s obvious that all of the prayers in the world won’t shield me from her.
Just her name alone causes my heart to pound, and I should have known she would be involved in this. It’s why we ran—she’swhy we ran because that woman appears to have only one mission in life. To destroy ours.
My hands are shaking, so I clutch them tightly because I can’t show any weakness. I must be strong and put this down as one of God’s tests. I have only left the convent for a few hours and I’m already struggling. Where is the excitement I experienced when I learned of my mission? It doesn’t appear so exciting anymore.
Julius returns, and my world stills. It’s as if he eclipses the planet and I can only see him.
I swallow hard as he says in his husky whisper, “Are you hungry?”
I think about that because I’ve lived with hunger for a long time now and don’t even consider it anymore.
“A little.”
The fact my stomach is growling reveals the truth, and he nods, his dark eyes glittering, causing me to squirm on my seat.
He stands and heads to the front of the plane and after a few minutes returns with a small smile.
“Come.”
Once again, he reaches for my hand, and rather than cause a scene when he is being so kind, I allow mine to find his, wondering why I love my hand in his so much.
I’m almost giddy as I stand and he leads me to a table where two chairs are positioned and says huskily, “The flight attendant is bringing some food. We have a limited choice, so she is fetching what we have.”
“I’m sure it will be lovely.”
He takes the seat opposite me and leans back, his gaze sharp and his smile curious.
“Tell me why you want to be a nun, baby girl?”
Something inside me flips as his slow drawl catches me off-guard, the endearment strangely comforting.
“Because the world sucks.”
He grins. “I can’t argue with that, but it’s not a good enough reason. Try again.”
“Try again?”
My eyes widen as I repeat his words, and he grins as he leans forward, his dark, compelling gaze stripping away any defenses I foolishly thought would remain in place.
“Three sisters in their prime with the world at their feet decide to flee their entitled boarding school for a life of sacrifice. Something must have driven you to such extreme measures, and I am curious about that.”
“Entitled, you say.” I shake my head. “Do you know what it’s like to be a girl growing up in my world?”
“I can guess.”
He holds my gaze, and a surge of heat scorches through my veins.
I cough slightly and break eye contact, sighing, “I may as well have been in prison. We weren’t allowed to leave the house unless under armed guard. We had no freedom inside it either. Our days were planned with tutors and then study.”
