6. Nico #2
I shrug. “Let’s pick out a ring then.”
Like I’ve summoned her, the Zephyr employee appears at our side.
“Hi, I’m Minnie,” she says, a twinge of Southern accent in her voice and a calculated lack of judgement toward our strange group on her broad, kind face.
“First off, congratulations on the engagement. We’re so happy to celebrate with you.
Do you have any ideas on the kind of ring you were looking for? ”
Valeria stares blankly at Minnie like she’s speaking a different language. Minnie throws me a glance that suggests she’s hoping for a lifeline, and after a beat, I relent.
Alessia has dragged me to enough jewelry stores for “just a peek” over the years that I know exactly what to ask for.
“Something expensive,” I say. “The biggest diamond you got.”
Not exactly how my sister would’ve phrased it, but by the shimmer in Minnie’s eyes, I might as well have offered to pay in full for her grandkids’ college fund.
“I have just the thing for you.”
I take Valeria’s hand, and we follow Minnie to the display case in the center of the room.
Stefano tries to follow, but I jerk my chin toward him. “Watch the door.”
Underneath the glittering rainfall of chandelier crystals, Minnie pulls out a velvet tray lined with a dozen gleaming diamond rings.
“These are the most elegant, luxurious engagement rings you could find. Just look at the radiance on these gemstones. Any one of these rings could be a family heirloom that would be passed down for generations.” Minnie smiles at Valeria. “Which one do you want to try on?”
Valeria peers into the tray, a few strands of hair plastered to her neck with sweat. Her cheeks are rosy. Does she have a fever or something?
I tighten my hold around her loose hand. If she’s sick, we’re going to the doctor next, and I’m going to crucify her dad and brother for letting her go out like this.
Valeria touches the display case. “That one.”
Minnie makes a soft, surprised sound.
Ignoring the tray of fancy rings, she points directly to a simple, slender wedding band. Tiny diamonds dot the band, but the whole thing is barely more than a scrap of twisted metal.
“That’s actually a wedding band, but I can see why you’d—” Minnie says.
“That the ring you want?” I turn to Valeria.
She looks up at me and deadpans, “It’s my dream ring.”
What fucking game is she playing?
It’s got to be the cheapest ring in the entire store.
Is she doing this to prove to me how frugal she is? Or that she doesn’t care about the engagement, so the worst ring will do? If I thought I could grab her by the shoulders and shake her until some answers fell out, I would.
I snap my head toward Minnie. “Let’s see how it fits.”
Her commission just dove headfirst off a cliff, but Minnie sets down the expensive rings with a tight smile and reaches into the display case.
I release Valeria’s hand and lean against the case. I’ve already gotten punched in the face tonight—I don’t feel like playing any more games.
“Take off your jacket,” I say mildly. “I want to see how it looks.”
“I’m fine.” She doesn’t meet my eye.
She’s not fine. She looks like a dog stuck in a car in July.
“Take off the jacket, Val.” I throw a little menace into my words, the kind that has Minnie straightening with a look of concern, and Valeria freezing.
With a stubborn frown on her mouth, Valeria slowly and deliberately sheds her coat.
I don’t miss the subtle way she folds it over her right arm. I take it from her, meeting the slightest resistance as she tries to hold on.
She has a bruise on her right wrist.
It follows the vague shape of a hand.
“Where did you get that?” I ask. My voice takes on a low, sharpened edge.
“I tripped,” she says.
In the corner of my eye, Stefano goes very still. Slowly, I rotate toward him. His face turns pale.
“I changed my mind,” Valeria says quickly. “I want that one.”
Without looking away from Stefano, I reach into my pocket, pull out my wallet, and toss it onto the display case. “Pick out any ring you want. I’ll be right back.”
“Nico.” Valeria snatches my wrist. “I want you to help me choose. Please.”
When I glance back at her, she’s smiling, in a hopeful, pleading way that is entirely foreign on her striking features.
I barely know her, but I already know she doesn’t beg.
In any other circumstance, I might enjoy it.
I roll my jaw, the buzzy restlessness from earlier tonight zipping back through my muscles, but I’m unable to tear my gaze from her face.
Fine.
She doesn’t want me to make a scene, then I won’t. But after we pick out the ring, she’ll be coming back to my place, and we’re going to talk—preferably naked.
In the meantime, Stefano isn’t going anywhere. The dumbass can sweat.
I step into Valeria’s personal space, inhaling cookies and bleach as I lean over her shoulder.
She tenderly cups a marble-sized diamond ring like she’s scared of scratching it.
“It’s very big,” she says coolly. “I’ll pick out something smaller.”
My mouth brushes against her hair. “Try it on.”
She doesn’t move.
Minnie, like she remembered those college funds are at stake, jumps into action.
“Now that’s a gorgeous ring. It’s an emerald cut with excellent symmetry and polish.
You’re probably too young, but it’s modeled after Grace Kelly’s engagement ring.
Wow! It’s a perfect fit, too. You could be a hand model, Mrs. Matassa. ”
Mrs. Matassa. It’s the first time I’ve heard the name spoken out loud, and it stokes satisfaction through me.
Valeria doesn’t seem to hear us as she looks at the diamond on her splayed hand. She does have the long, elegant fingers of a model. She knows how to use them too. I remember those hands pumping me with long, sure strokes.
She glances at me from under her dark lashes. “It’s very expensive,” she says softly. “I want the other ring.”
I’m touching her jaw before I realize it. “You’re a Matassa now. Don’t worry about the price.”
Her eyes widen a fraction. She looks a little dazed.
“We’ll get both rings,” I say.
Minnie smiles.
After I tap my card, we walk out of the store, the expensive ring on Valeria’s left hand and her right hand tucked into mine. Stefano sprints down the road to fetch my Ferrari.
The night chill nips at my exposed skin. Cold air billows out of Valeria’s mouth as she inspects a tree next to us, the thin branches bare save for a few spring-green leaves desperately budding.
She’s so composed. In my circle, most of the women who act like her are built like glass, one missed Xanax away from a total breakdown. A few are truly ruthless, their calm a mask for sadistic, power-hungry tendencies.
I bite back a sigh. Basket case or black widow? Which will be my new bride?
A shiver rolls through her, and she reaches absentmindedly for her jacket on my arm.
“You’re coming to my place tonight,” I tell her.
Her gaze flicks to me, and I realize how relaxed she’d been a moment ago as her features tighten into a scowl.
“Absolutely not.”
“We need to talk. We should get to know each other a little better, don’t you think?”
She jerks on her jacket sleeve and pouts. “We know each other plenty.”
I yank on the jacket, and she comes tumbling into my chest, before swiveling that burning glare back to me. If looks could kill, she’d have me six feet under.
“I want to know more than what you look like naked, but if you insist…”
The Ferrari roars to a stop next to us. I wrap an arm around Valeria’s waist, pinning her to my side like a struggling butterfly to a board.
Stefano comes running around the front of the car, grinning. “You have a real beauty there—”
“Stefano,” I snap, remembering his shit existence. “Do you know who gave Valeria those bruises?”
Against my side, Valeria stiffens.
Stefano’s grin crumbles. He’s very careful not to look at his sister as he answers with the earnestness of a man facing solitary confinement, “No, boss.”
“No clue, then?” I hold my hand out for the key.
He places it into my palm with slow, robotic movements. “None at all.”
“Shame. Well, I’m about to take your sister home and give her a full inspection. Better play it safe, right?”
He looks at Valeria then, a warning glance.
I squeeze her against me, tucking her against my chest. “I’m going to start giving her inspections regularly.
Inspections at my place, inspections in my Ferrari, you catch my drift?
But, and I gotta be honest, if I saw any more bruises on my blushing bride, I think I’d lose it.
I’m talking bananas, ballistic. And I don’t want that to happen, do you? ”
“No, boss.”
“I’m glad you agree, because I’m making you her new bodyguard. No one’s going to keep her safe like family. Just make sure there’s no tripping hazards at home, because the next bruise I see on her, I’m gonna give to you, sevenfold.”
“Good idea, boss,” Stefano says weakly.
What a fucking worm.
I tighten my hold on Valeria and tow her to the passenger side. “Let’s go. Time for your inspection.”