I looked around for someone else, for Jimmy or Luca. No one else was there. It was almost as if instead of a business meeting, this was simply a family gathering. For some reason, that didn’t fill me with hope.
“Thank you, Bella,” I offered. “We’ll need to see.”
Once we were behind the closed door, Vincent said, “Oren, I didn’t know you’d be here. Didn’t we discuss apron strings?”
“I asked him to join us,” Lennox volunteered. “I’m here to thank you. Sincerely. This is new to me.”
“Showing gratitude is new?”
“No, sir. Asking for help.”
Vincent smiled as he nodded. “Take off your coats and have a seat. I meant what I said. You’re Angelina’s boy. You heard Bella; we would like to get to know you. Perhaps your girlfriend too?”
With our coats draped over a chair, Lennox and I found a seat on a sofa, as Vincent settled into a plush chair that reminded me of a throne. His office was regal, fitting of his title.
“You were saying,” Vincent said to Lennox, “that asking for help is new?”
“It is. The situation was out of hand. It became even worse before… before—”
“Before Alton Fitzgerald died,” Vincent said. “Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you think my men helped you with that out-of-hand situation?”
I looked to Lennox and back to Vincent. Was this a trick?
“We asked,” I said. “Both of us.”
“And I told you it takes time. There’s a process. The first step is understanding the man. My men needed to know who he was.”
My pulse sped up. “Are you saying it wasn’t you?”
“Oren, I haven’t done that in many years.”
Lennox shook his head. “Sir, I came here to let you know that I’m willing to repay the debt.”
“After receiving your call, only days after the news of Fitzgerald’s death, I assumed as much. You see, Lennox, you were in Savannah when he died,” Vincent explained. “You’re family. I would never, Luca would never, our men would never, carry out a job and leave one of our own as a possible suspect.” He leaned forward. “It wasn’t on the news, but I’d imagine that the police… they questioned you? No?”
“They did,” Lennox said. “But I had an alibi.”
“You see, we wouldn’t have been able to guarantee that. You were with the girl?”
“I was. She’d been hurt. She fell earlier that day. The doctors wanted her to spend the night at the hospital. I stayed with her.”
Vincent’s round cheeks rose. “A good man.” He turned to me. “You raised a good man.”
“Thank you. I think Angelina gets most of the credit.” I still couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. “If not you… who?”
He shrugged. “I suspect the woman they have in jail? After all, the police wouldn’t make a mistake, would they?”
With the color returning to his cheeks, Lennox said, “I still asked. I’m in your debt.”
“No, you’re not. I don’t take payment for deeds uncommitted. You and I are even, Lennox. I only ask that you call me more. Get to know Luca again. Maybe bring your girlfriend to dinner? We’d like to meet her.” He turned to me. “There is something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you.”
“Your men,” I volunteered. “Thank you for their time.”
“They brought me something,” he said, standing.
We waited as Vincent waddled over to his desk and came back with a Ziploc bag containing what appeared to be a burner phone.
I reached out, holding the corner of the bag. “What is this?”
“It’s a phone my men found as they escorted someone away from your property.”
The phone was small, black, a standard-issue flip phone. “Do they know who the man was?”
“A scum. A leech. The kind with no loyalty.”
“Did you see what was on here?” I asked. “Did you get any information?”
“A little from the phone. More from the man once my men helped him find his voice.”
“Who did he work for?” Lennox asked.
“A man who will never bother you or your girl again.” He turned to me. “I once heard him described as an abusive fuck.”
Dread connected the pieces of the puzzle. “Fitzgerald. You’re sure?”
“He had Alexandria followed. The man had been doing it for over six months. Have your people look. That phone is full of text messages. Cryptic at best. Luckily my men can be persuasive.”
“That’s how they knew where she was,” Lennox said. “My people figured that Fitzgerald had tracked her phone, but then discovered the phone’s locator was off. We’d scoured our own people, but everyone in our loop came up clean.”
Vincent nodded. “He’s no longer a problem, the man or the one who hired him.”
“How can I thank you?” Lennox asked.
“Dinner. Let us meet your new love.”
“Yes.”
I BALANCED THE shopping bags in one arm as I fumbled with the lock to our apartment with the other. It was hard to believe that Christmas was so close. The year was a blur. With trying to study and pull my grades up, after all we’d been through, I’d finally had a chance to shop.
It wasn’t only the studying; I’d been exhausted since Alton’s funeral. Not tired. I’d been tired before. This was bone-dissolving exhaustion, the kind that left me weak, the kind that sucked each and every bit of energy from my body. My OB/GYN said it was normal and everything was fine. On the positive side, I hadn’t had morning sickness and my appetite was more insatiable than ever.
As a matter of fact, as I turned the key, my thoughts weren’t on the Christmas presents I’d purchased or the maternity clothes I’d seen. It was on whatever Lana had simmering in our kitchen. I may have even daydreamed about it throughout the afternoon. Closing my eyes as I opened the door, I inhaled.
Spices and goodness were what I sought.
Instead, the faint scent of jasmine air freshener from the globe plugged into the wall was all I detected. I opened my eyes. The city’s lights sparkled through the windows and near the sofa a slender tree twinkled with white lights. Together they were the living room’s only illumination. Surprised and bewildered by the lack of aroma, I dropped the bags at the floor, kicked off my boots, and pushed my code into the security system.
“Hello?” I called, wondering if Lana was still here, just running late.
This time of year the days were short, too short. Though the sky was dark, I didn’t expect Nox for at least another hour.
Since we’d returned to our schedules, he’d been working hard doing whatever it was he did. I’d told him about the strange meeting that time in Alton’s office, the one that included Senators Carroll and Higgins as well as Severus Davis. It seemed as though something had been bothering him, and though I cared if it was related to that, I’d honestly been too tired and preoccupied to ask. Part of me was also scared.
It was last night after I’d been out to dinner with Cy and Pat that I knew that I’d been right. Nox had been worried about something. Perhaps the reason I hadn’t asked was because part of me was concerned that the baby had soured his mood. Even though Nox always acted happy when he talked about it and constantly questioned my health and emotions, I was nervous. It was easier to blame his mood on the odd assembly at Montague Manor.
However, last night with my tummy filled with a fantastic meal from my favorite Thai restaurant, I’d come home ready to wait for him and catch up on my pleasure reading. He’d had plans too and had said he didn’t know how late he’d be. All I could remember was that his plans included Oren.
When Nox returned home… it’s hard to explain but it was as if he were a new person or more accurately his old self. Whatever cloud of concern that had been hanging over his head was gone. He talked about his cousins from his mother’s side and said they wanted to have dinner with us.
Even now, as I carr
ied my shopping bags down the hallway to the bedroom, the memory of his change of demeanor brought a smile to my face.
“Good evening, princess.”
I gasped as I spun in the darkened bedroom. “Oh my God, Nox, you scared me.”
With the light from the windows, I took him in. His suit coat was gone. His bright white silk shirt disappeared into the trim waist of his trousers. The black belt with the silver swirl on the buckle surrounded his hips and made my knees weak.
“I thought you weren’t going to be home until later.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me so close I needed to crane my neck upward to see the light blue that I adored.
“I rearranged my schedule. You said on the phone you had more energy.” His dark eyebrows bobbed as his lips turned upward. “Don’t tell me you used it all up shopping.”
I melted toward him, wrapped in his warm embrace as the beat of his heart thumped against my ear. “No, but did you tell Lana not to cook? I didn’t smell dinner.”
He nodded. “I did. I made plans.”
I exhaled. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy going out, but I’d been out. I looked back up. The gleam in his eye gave me the zap of energy I needed. I wouldn’t ruin his plans. “What did you have in mind?”
“I got you something to wear.”
“You did?”
He tugged my hand, pulling me into the closet. On the center sofa was what appeared to be a soft pair of leggings, fuzzy socks, and an oversized sweater. “What?” It wasn’t what I’d expected.
“Princess, I’m cooking dinner for you. There’s a warm bath in the tub. You rest.”
“You? You’re cooking? Why didn’t you let Lana?”
Holding both my hands he pulled them to his chest. “Oh, are you doubting me?”
I laughed. “No, hell no. A bath and comfortable clothes sounds amazing. I was expecting heels and a garter.”
“We still have the ones from that night. If you’d rather…?”
I kissed his soft lips. “After walking around Manhattan with Clayton all afternoon, I’d rather the fuzzy socks.”
“That’s my sex kitten,” he laughed as I practically skipped to the bathroom.
As I opened the door, warm, humid air redolent with the sweet scent of jasmine filled my senses. That was what I’d smelled as I entered the apartment. It wasn’t the air freshener. I grinned at the rose petals floating on the water’s surface.
I peeked my head back out to the bedroom. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me?”
Soft music was the only response.
Sighing, I quickly stripped out of my clothes and eased myself into the warm, scented water. It was heaven as I laid my head back, my hair pinned on top of my head in a messy bun, and allowed the warm bath to lap over my growing breasts.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been in there, but as the water began to cool, I forced myself to move. The leggings were new and covered in colorful pictures of shoes. The sweater was loose and hung from one shoulder. The fuzzy socks weren’t sexy, but since there were no panties or even a bra accompanying Nox’s chosen ensemble, I decided to go without. It was my sexy contribution to the outfit.
I could be a sex kitten if I wanted.
Still trying to decipher Nox’s culinary skills, I slid my stocking feet along the hallway and quietly entered the kitchen. For only a moment, I stood in the doorway and watched as Nox stared down at the stovetop with a spatula in his hand. His protruding brow and clenched jaw told me that whatever he was cooking was receiving his full attention. It was completely out of character and surprisingly arousing.
Sneaking up behind him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and peered around his body. “Grilled cheese?” I laughed. “That’s your culinary skill, the reason you cancelled Lana?”
“Yes, now don’t disturb me. I need to show you that I can cook them without burning them.”
“That’s not fair. You distracted me.”
The devilish grin I loved sparked to life as he connected the dots of the spatula in his hand and me by his side. Before I could squeal and run away—I blame the lack of traction on the socks—the spatula came down with an audible swat to my behind.
“Oh, Mr. Demetri, now I plan on distracting you.”
His blue eyes went to my long hair as he gently tucked a stray strand behind my ear and pushed the length over my shoulder. His touch lingered as I tilted my head, giving him full access to the exposed skin. His voice rumbled, becoming thick. “You seem to be missing a strap.”
I shrugged, the thunder of his voice rolling to my core. “You said to wear what you had out. You didn’t have a bra out. I always obey your commands, Mr. Demetri.”
He dropped the spatula to the counter and cupped my behind, pulling me close. “I didn’t have panties laid out either.” His fingers splayed as a brow rose. “Fuck. No panty lines?”
Slowly, I shook my head as I lowered my eyes.
Leaping out of his grasp, I grabbed the spatula and flipped the sandwich, just as the butter turned to the perfect toasted brown. “I saved it!”
“Oh, no. This is my meal. Give me that spatula.”
My eyes widened. “Why?”
“Because distracting me is a punishable offense.”
I handed it back with another kiss. “Guilty as charged. What’s come over you?”
“I was thinking a nice quiet night at home sounded good.”
I couldn’t agree more. I opened the cupboard and reached for the plates. “We’re missing the California wine.”
Nox bent down and kissed my stomach. “No wine—California or French—for a while.”
“The doctor said a glass now and then is fine.”
“My rules overrule the doctor.”
I shook my head as he took the plates from my hands and carried them to the table. I filled two glasses with ice water. “Yum, grilled cheese and water.”
“Oh, I have salads in the refrigerator. Can you grab them?” he asked.
I opened the door and on the top shelf were two bowls filled with greenery and carrots. Nothing else registered, because all I noticed was the blue velvet box atop of one of the salads. “Nox?”
“Can you carry them to the table?”
With trembling hands, I did as he said, setting down the one with the box at my place.
“Open it,” he said.
I could barely grip the soft exterior as I lifted and pried back the lid. The hinges moved, revealing the satin slot where a ring would be. “What?”
I turned as he fell to one knee with a diamond ring in his hand.
“Oh, Nox.” Tears filled my eyes.
“I’ve thought of thousands of ways to make this moment special. I imagined the Eiffel Tower bright with lights. I thought of whisking you off to Del Mar. I even had a plan with a sunset and the balcony of the presidential suite. I considered a Broadway show and a carriage ride in Central Park.
“And then I realized that the setting wasn’t what mattered. The only thing that mattered was you and I and your answer.”
I couldn’t form words as he went on.
“I remembered a night, the first night I brought you here. I remembered the promise of frozen meatballs and the presence of burnt sandwiches. I recalled your gorgeous eyes…” He reached up and wiped a tear from my cheek. “…the ones that are now clear, even with tears. I remember the way they clouded as you opened up to me, telling me about your family. And I remembered wanting to take those clouds away forever.
“Oh, Nox…” He touched my lips.
“Charli, you are my forever. You’ve brought love back into my life. Not just between us, but with our baby and even our parents. In the short time we’ve been together, you’ve given me back a reason to live, to wake, and to move.” He leaned forward and kissed my stomach again. “Together we’ve created a new family.”
Navy swirled in his light-blue orbs as he looked up. “I’m not the most romantic person. Truthfully, I’d be better at this if you
were the one on your knees.”
I giggled.
“The most important thing is for you to know that whether we’re in an exclusive resort eating caviar or at home with cheese sandwiches, I’m so fucking in love that I can’t stand another day without your saying you’ll marry me, that you’ll agree to let me be your forever.”
I pried my gaze from his eyes, from his protruding brow and chiseled jaw. I looked at the ring he held between his finger and thumb. The band was platinum, dusted in small diamonds like my necklace. There was one center stone. It was round and sparkled, standing high on prongs.
It was simple and elegant.
It was classy and understated.
It was perfect.
“Yes.” It was the only word I could say as my soul flooded with emotion and I sunk to my knees before him.
He cupped my cheeks as his warm, possessive lips met mine. And then with our faces close, he said, “I asked your mom.”
“You did?”
“I did.” He slid the ring over my finger. “I know it’s old-fashioned. I drove to Rye this morning and asked for her daughter’s hand.” He shrugged. “She said yes. I’m glad you did too.”
Splaying my fingers, I stared down at my hand. “Nox, I love you. That was the best proposal I’ve ever heard.”
Standing, he reached for my hand and pulled me to my feet and into his embrace. “Well, the bar was set kind of high. I mean, I heard the one proposal: You’ll marry me. It was a tough one to beat.”
My smile grew so big my cheeks ached. “It was close, but for the record, yours is the only one I accepted.”
“Good to know. Let’s eat these delicious sandwiches and explore that kneeling thing a little more.”
“Oh, Mr. Demetri. Whoever said you weren’t romantic?”
FOR THE MIDDLE of March, it was unseasonably warm in Southern California. We’d enjoyed days in the mid-seventies. Today was no different as the sun was about to set over the Pacific Ocean.
“Damn, little cousin, you’re stunning.”
I smiled at Patrick through my lashes. “You know, I think you said the same thing right before my interview with Karen.”