Page 26 of Doll Face

Rocco gave him a solemn nod. “I will. I swear it.”

They arrived at Roberto’s jewelry store, and like the other day, he ordered everyone out. Rocco went to the back rooms to make sure no one lingered, and to also turn the security cameras off. When he came back out and nodded to him, Matteo settled his gaze on Roberto.

“Diamonds?” he asked.

Roberto nodded. “They’re in the safe. I cut them all myself.”

“Good,” Matteo said coldly. “Get them.”

Roberto headed into the back, and Matteo leveled a look at Rocco. Rocco followed and a moment later, they both returned. Roberto held a box and he laid it on a display case before opening it. Under the low lights, the jewels sparkled like a thousand tiny stars.

“All are unmarked,” Roberto said, reverently. “Flawless Type 11a. Almost all of them. I never thought I’d see such beauty.”

Matteo thought they looked like any other diamond, but what did he know? “What’s the estimated value?”

“There are no nitrogen impurities, most are colorless, but I noticed a few of them are pink, light green and light blue. All are extremely valuable.”

“Ballpark.”

“Millions.”

Satisfaction filled Matteo. This was going to be a very lucrative sale.

“Am I p-paid in full now?”

“I’ll let you know once I sell these.” He carefully closed the lid and secured it under his arm. “I knew this would be a prosperous partnership.”

Chapter Nine

Matteo rested against his car, waiting for Macy to come out. The security guard eyed him suspiciously, and all he did was raise his hand, letting him know he wasn’t a threat. A moment later, his girl came out and waved at him. She said something to the guard and then she sprinted over to him. He caught her and planted a kiss on her lips, smiling down at her.

He escorted her to the passenger side, and helped her into his car. Reaching over her, he secured the seat belt before sliding behind the wheel.

“Thank you for picking me up,” she said.

“Anytime, baby. I’ve got a question to ask you.”

“Oh?” she asked.

“You ever been to New York?”

“Um, no. I’ve never left Chicago.”

“Well, we’re going this weekend.”

“Wait, what?”

“I have business in New York, and I want you to come with me.”

She bit her lower lip. “I have to work at the arcade.”

He reached over and eased her lip free. “Can you call in sick?”

“You know,” she mused. “I thought of something while working.”

“Oh?”

“Something I need to know before I go away anywhere with you.”

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