Page 47 of Fiercely Protective

“If it is not what you want or the cut you prefer, we can look for something else later. But as my wife, you needed a ring.”

I took her hand in mine before slipping the large twelve-carat emerald cut diamond solitaire surrounded by another two carats of smaller stones on her finger just above the plain platinum band I had placed earlier.

“Do you like it?”

I watched as she held it up to study the ring, her hand still trembling. “It’s beautiful.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”

“But it is too much. It must have cost a fortune.” She reached up and touched the diamonds around her neck beforeglancing at the bracelet on her wrist. “You don’t have to do this you know.”

“What?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Give me expensive things. I never had things like this before, so it isn’t expected.”

She was a breath of fresh air. Most of the women I knew that’s all they wanted, what my fortune could buy them. But not Bri, she was uncomfortable with gifts. That was something she would have to get over because I intended to give my angel much more than she could ever dream of. I wanted to see the worry lines leave her face and a smile stretch across her lips, the kind of smile she had on her face when I first met her at the club before the darkness that surrounded me encased her.

“The diamonds suit you, and I tend to do whatever I wish, so I’m afraid you will have to get used to me spoiling you.”

She looked away, a mixture of irritation and uncertainty on her face.

The car came to a stop, and I interlaced my fingers with hers. The flash of the cameras was blinding as we stepped from the car. I squeezed Bri’s hand, hoping to give her the encouragement she needed to get through the evening.

As we made our way through the throng of photographers and paparazzi, I felt Bri’s hand tighten in mine. The thought that she was beginning to feel safer with me made me grin. My girl was starting to come around.

When we entered the gala, the first person to come forward to greet us was United States Senator Bentley O’Malley. He was a snake, but useful at times.

“Rogue Delaney, it has been too long.” He held his hand out to me, but his eyes had locked on Bri.

I took his hand and squeezed a little harder than necessary to get his attention. “It’s not an election year, Senator. What brings you to Chicago?”

His sleazy smile made me want to push Bri behind me and far away from the man. “I am here for my constituents…and campaign funds. You never stop campaigning, Rogue.” His gaze moved back to Bri. “And who is your lovely companion for the evening?”

“Brielle, this is Senator O’Malley.” As the Senator reached for her hand, I interceded. I didn’t want anyone the likes of O’Malley touching her; I didn’t want any other man to touch her. “She is my wife, Senator.”

No more words were needed, the tone of my voice and my protective stance communicated easily that she was off-limits. Even a senator with as much power as O’Malley would not dare try to invoke my anger by touching my wife.

“It is nice to meet you, Senator.”

Bri’s soft voice cut through the haze of possessive fury I was beginning to feel and instantly calmed me.

I wrapped my hand around her waist to hold her against my side.

The senator’s eyes wisely moved away from Bri. “Congratulations. I had not heard that you had married, Rogue.”

“I never imagined you would, O’Malley. I don’t disclose my private life to those not in my inner circle.”

I watched the senator’s eyes flash with a momentary spark of anger. I imagined he had grown accustomed to people kissing his ass wherever he went, but I would never be one of them. He should be begging for my favor, not the other way around. I was the king of this city.

“Have a good evening, Senator, and enjoy the short time you are in Chicago.”

I took Bri’s hand and led her to the dance floor and pulled her into my arms.

“Should you have done that? He looks pissed and making enemies of a senator could be detrimental to your career or whatever you do to make money.”

The music had just started a slow dance. “I am not afraid of the senator. If I wanted him removed from office, he would be, and he knows it. My power and influence are far more reaching than his, love.”

She looked over her shoulder to where the senator was speaking to someone else. “He gives me the creeps.”

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