Her hair is long, dusting her shoulders, freshly washed and gleaming in the light. Her green eyes sparkle and her once swollen lips painted red, matching the figure-hugging dress that shimmers as she walks on the black and red heels of Louboutin.
As she approaches, she appears slightly bashful, which is adorable and I set the glass down and reach inside my pocket, withdrawing a velvet box. I move to her side, reaching for her hand, pulling her gently toward me, the fire in the grate flickering and dancing a happy jig.
“Joseph?”
Her lips question, but her eyes sparkle, and as I open the box, she stares in amazement at the solitaire diamond surrounded by equally impressive ones. It’s a statement, an offering of wealth, status and intent.
The ring lights up the room, and I take her left hand and slide it onto her finger, the perfect fit courtesy of Mrs. Harrington playing detective.
I say nothing, merely concentrating my attention on her, only lifting her hand to kiss the ring on her finger.
Myring on her finger, and as I grip her hand hard, I say huskily, “A little late but a necessary addition.”
She swallows as she gazes at the ring, and from her expression, she’s in two minds about this.
“It’s, um, well, beautiful.”
“But you don’t like it.”
She shakes her head. “I like it, who wouldn’t, but–”
I hold her hand tighter, and she drags in her bottom lip and says softly, “It’s lovely. Thank you.”
Disappointment flares in her eyes, and I take a step back, unsure why it bothers me. Luckily, Mrs. Harrington appears and says formally, “Mr. and Mrs. Karim.”
The air changes in the room as Malik and Eliza Karim enter it. His dark, brooding presence threatening to replace any oxygen in the room with toxicity.
His dark gaze burns, and his attitude is enigmatic and yet his wife is the opposite of that, as she smiles sweetly.
“Joseph.”
Malik grips my hand, his dark black suit almost a replica of mine. He turns to Tiffany and nods respectfully.
“Mrs. Ravera.”
“Please call me Tiffany.”
Her sunny smile chases the clouds away, and she smiles at Eliza, stepping forward and hugging her lightly.
“It’s so lovely to see you again. Thank you for coming.”
The two women are easy company; their men not so much.
As Tiffany drags Eliza over to the couch, I gesture for Malik to follow me to the corner of the room where the small bar holds a huge choice of alcoholic beverages.
I lower my voice.
“I’m hoping my part of the deal was honored.”
He nods, a satisfied smirk on his lips. “The appointment has been scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a start at least.”
“He is not an easy man to manipulate.”
I feel I need to warn him about that and Malik shrugs.
“I have a few ideas, ones that he may decide are worthy of his investment in our joint venture.”
I have no doubt that this man has heat on the Pope himself, and I relax a little knowing my part has ended—for now, anyway.
