Page 26

He laughs.

“Speaking of family, let’s not introduce me to yours too soon.”

“You aren't ready?” He gives my arm a reassuring squeeze.Hell, nodangles from my tongue, but I bite my bottom lip and jerk a shoulder.

“Lux . . .”

An unspoken discussion settles between us. My brows lift.

“I, uh, promise you’ll experience everything my land has to offer.”

I settle into his lap, nudging his neck and inhaling him.

“Luxury.”

I offer a snore.

“You’re not asleep.”

“You’re not a man who isn’t sure of himself. Remember when I mocked you at first sight?”

“Well, yes.” He runs circles over my lower back, and I pull away from him.

“You’re a Doberman, Vic. Why so reluctant all of a sudden?”

“I’ve billions, Luxury.”

“Billions of what?”

“Look around you, Little One.” He flicks his gaze to theTudorembossed into the leather.

“Billions of dollars,” I mumble.Holy . . .

“Euros. More of an accurate depiction, really.”

“More accurate?”

“Our money’s bigger than yours.”

“That was funny,” I murmur contemplative.

“I tried.” A massive shoulder lifts. “There’s another thing . . .”

I groan into his neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent while strong arms protect me from long-dormant secrets. “No, thank you, Vic. Let me sleep off your first revelation.”

“Here’s the other; I’ve a duchy, Little One. I . . .am . . . a duke,” he concludes in the noble tone he often assumes.

Eyes peeling open, I let a lazy, pathetic chuckle draw out of me. “Listen, I’m wrapping my mind around you being a killer. Funny story, the same smutty book shared how most royalty—dukes, marquesses, and such—are penniless.”

“That would be correct.”

“Alright, so stop trying to break the ice, Vic. I get it. Murder has its benefits, thus the private jet.”

“Well, yes,” he agrees.

I marvel in the faintest of lines near his eyes, pressing my lips there. “Thanks for keeping me safe, Vic. While I sleep, fine-tune your jokes. Better yet, leave that for people who actually enjoy smiling, which you rarely do. Good night.”

14