Page 92 of Scarred Hearts

Pinning her bottom lip between her teeth, she stared intently at the bracelet for a moment before abruptly turning on her heels and marching over to her bag. My eyes followed her every move as she unzipped it and retrieved something, striding back to me.

Slowly, she uncurled her fingers to reveal the lost gold pinky ring that once belonged to me. My father had given it to me when I was sixteen years old; a simple band with my initials engraved on the round flat top. I’d never been too fond of it, but wore it nonetheless.

“Don’t be mad but?—”

“You stole my fucking ring?” I chuckled, and she threw her legs over my lap, straddling me.

“You dozed off, and I took it from you as a memory, not because I wanted to steal from you,” she snickered. “I’m guessing by the look on your face it’s expensive. I always kept it in my jewelry box, but I put it in my work bag when we were getting Luca settled in my apartment.” She picked up my hand, placing it in my palm. “I am really sorry.”

“It’s not the look of how much the ring cost,” I said, “it’s the look of shock that you took it from me when I thought I lost it, and you hung on to it all these years. Did you wear it?”

“Every night when I danced, until a week before Luke showed up, which is so ironic.” She held up her left hand, pointing to her index finger. “It only ever fit this one.” She snickered, “I’m shocked you hung on to a silly pink bracelet.”

“No,” I said, slipping the ring on her finger. “The bracelet was all I had left of you until you came back. I want you to wear this ring for the rest of your life.” I sighed, “and I know I’m a piece of shit for not doing this the right way and giving you some massive diamond tonight and this place,” I lifted my gaze to the ceiling, “is the last place I ever wanted to propose.” I laughed quietly, bringing my eyes back to hers. “I will get you one but I kinda jumped the gun tonight when I announced we were engaged.”

“Yeah, you did,” she giggled, a single tear rolling down her cheek. I erased it with my thumb then pressed my lips to hers before pulling away. “I don’t need a diamond.”

“Too bad,” I winked. “I’m getting you the best and prettiest pink diamond my money can buy. I love you. I want you to spend the rest of your life with my kids and me. I know it’s a weird situation with them but?—”

“Yes!” she beamed. “I love you,” she squeaked in a shaky voice. “I fell in love with you the night you came to see me. And stop saying your kids are a weird situation. It takes an amazing man to raise someone else’s kids and commit his life to them even after their mom is gone. I can’t imagine spending my life any other way. I adore them and you.” She gasped. “What about moving? You can’t relocate.”

“Is there anything in the rulebook that says I can’t move the business to Boston and keep the house in New York for when we travel there?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. My dad traveled all the time.”

“Good, it’s settled.”

KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Yeah?” I called out with a wide grin.

Luke poked his head in the door. “Gia, are you going to run your fam?”

“No,” she laughed. “Ty’s going to do it for me.”

“Good,” he replied, “Then I suggest you get your ass downstairs and get to work.”

22

CHANGES

GIOVANNA

When Tyler and I arrived downstairs in Luxe, I changed into a black sheer halter top with matching skirt and black, thigh high stiletto boots. He was busying himself at his desk, gathering together paperwork for members, when he lifted his gaze.

He set his pen down. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you,” I replied, and he reached out his hand. Sashaying over to him with an extra sway in my hips, I perched on his lap sideways, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“You’re about to be shocked by what I’m going to say,” he whispered, his gaze roaming over my body.

I let out a soft laugh, tugging playfully at the back of his hair as his hand slipped between my thighs, stroking my mound.

“What’s that?” I asked teasingly, tracing light circles on the back of his neck with my nail.

“I want you to do your thing tonight in Luxe before you dance in Euphoria.”

“What?”

---