Page 23 of Brutal Heir

I stepped forward.

She stumbled back.

I kept advancing until her back hit one of the unbroken mirrors, trapping her against the glass.

“Today wasn’t a chance meeting,” I murmured, dragging my fingers along her cheek in a slow, possessive stroke.

That was the first honest thing I’d said to her.

My hand lingered, holding her still. “It was fate. You crossed into my world. That means you don’t walk away. Not unless I decide to let you go.”

Her body trembled, but she held her ground.

“You don’t know me,” she whispered. “You can’t snap your fingers and decide I’m yours.”

“Watch me.”

She wrenched her face to the side, breaking contact with my touch. “That is the most arrogant⁠—”

A soft knock interrupted us.

“Monsieur Diamanti? I have the necklace,” someone called through the door.

I shot Sabrina a look. Then turned, unlocked the door, and snatched the black velvet case without a word. The courier didn’t exist.

Returning to Sabrina, I held the jewelry box before her and slowly opened it.

The massive pear-cut yellow diamond sparkled in the light.

She reached out to touch it but pulled her hand back. “You can’t mean…”

I pulled the necklace from its velvet bed and tossed the box aside. “But I do.”

“I couldn’t possibly wear that.”

Pinching the clasp, I stepped close and leaned to latch it behind her neck.

My fingers grazed her neck as I flipped her hair forward over the chain so it hung in loose waves over her bare shoulders. “Sei bellissima. Questo diamante è stato fatto per essere indossato da te.”

She stared down at the massive diamond in awe. “I don’t speak Italian.”

I ran my finger down the necklace chain, skimming along the curve of her breast. “I said, you look beautiful. You were meant to wear this diamond.”

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say.”

I offered her my arm. “You say thank you and agree to join me at the pre-party for the show.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she slipped her fingers over my arm. “Okay, but only for the pre-party. Then I have to get back to reality and my job. Assuming I’m not fired, Édouard will expect me to set up more photos of the models as they come off the catwalk.”

“Considering that's your only offer, I'll accept it.”

But just before we crossed the threshold, I leaned in. "Tell me who the hell that man was—the one with his hand on you earlier.”

CHAPTER 8

SABRINA

The diamond’s chain bit into my neck as I yanked back. “Wait.”