“I don’t care what you think. That doesn’t concern me. Anyway, as enchanting as this conversation is, it appears that Prince Charming suffered a personality transplant somewherebetween the ball and the glass slipper reveal, so if you don’t mind, I would prefer to turn our attention to the only thing that matters to me right now which is finding my mom.”
I lean back, dismissing him, and to his credit, he merely taps on the screen dividing us from the driver.
As the car moves off, he settles back in his seat and pulls out his phone. Turning his rather unnerving attention to some other subject, leaving me free to calm the fuck down because that was intense and I will never admit that.
I wanted to take him up on his offer because when he kissed me, it lit a fire I never realized would be so devastating. I imagined many times what it would be like to kiss a man, but a peck on the lips was nothing like the soul-scorching possession of Simeon Ravera’s kiss.
He is probably right, although I will never admit it. He did own me back there. In the heat of the moment, I would have done anything, and yet now, as the flames simmer and cold reality bites, I’m glad of the reprieve. I have a few hours to figure out how to prevent the second part of our deal from happening because his intention is clear. He wants to take my virginity to seal the deal. To put a baby inside me means I will never be free of him.
History is about to repeat itself and the only way out of this mess would probably be my death and I owe it to my future happiness to stop that from ever happening, no matter how curious I am at how it would be with a man like him.
Goldsworthy Enterprises
The name stands proudly over a palatial skyscraper in thefinancial district of Zurich. It’s a world away from The Order of the Holy Mother of God, and a huge sense of pride blooms in my chest.
I am part of this dynasty. The Goldsworthy billions, and I am also part of another one that doesn’t hold quite the same excitement.
The Diamond Dynasty that has wrecked my life.
First my mom, then Rose’s and only Tiffany’s managed to dodge the bullet. I wonder where she is now and if Tiffany will do the same and attempt to find her.
My sister is not as strong as I am, so it’s doubtful, but she’s curious.
As I’m becoming accustomed to, the entourage stops at the front of the building and, in one measured move, all the car doors swing open at the same time, and the guards secure the perimeter. It reminds me of the danger we are in, but I know in my heart that as soon as we step inside this building, I will be protected from all of them, Simeon included. All I need is to get a message to my grandfather, and my future will be set.
“Are you ready, angel?”
Simeon appears curious, and his dark gaze penetrates my walls. I’m nervous and strangely worried that the outcome may not be what I’m hoping for.
I’m shocked when he reaches out and grasps my hand and whispers, “I’ll be right beside you. You don’t have to face this alone.”
His words touch me deeper than I’ll let on because right now, he is the only man who appears to be on my side.
I take a deep breath, and my smile is shaky as I nod. “I’m ready.”
He doesn’t drop my hand, and as we head into the bank flanked by a small army, I notice the stunned expressions of the workers inside.
Simeon cuts through their attention with indifference, and as we reach the reception, the man behind the desk physically pales.
“May I help you?”
I step forward, my throat tightening as I prepare for something I have long thought about.
“Um, my name is Alice Zaferelli. My grandfather is Edward Goldsworthy, and I would like to get a message to him.”
His eyes widen and he nods, his throat bobbing as he swallows hard and nervously reaches for his keyboard, tapping into it and squinting as he peers at the screen.
“Please take a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.”
I smile my thanks, and as we move away, I let out the breath I was unknowingly holding.
We do as instructed, and as I perch on the edge of the seat, Simeon whispers, “Don’t get your hopes up.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Your grandfather lives in the United States; it’s doubtful he is here at all.”
“I know that. I’m not stupid.”
