Page 72 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

He walked inside, careful to keep his face blank even as surprise filtered through him. The entry hall itself was stunning, with a wrought-iron railing curled intimately around a staircase that circled up, gleaming marble floors and paintings displayed on the wall. Not just any paintings, he realized, as information filled his mind. Renoir, Monet, Kahlo and Rembrandt, to name a few. If these were genuine, they would fetch millions at auction.

Yet of all the incredible things in the entry hall, it wasn’t the art that froze him in place. It was the gleaming chandelier above his head.

Satisfaction shot through him and eased some of his tension. He had been here before.

“The elevator will take you up.”

John turned to see the man, apparently a guard of some sort, gesturing toward a glass column in the center of the staircase. The guard pushed a button on the wall and a door in the column opened to reveal an elevator, the car made of the same black iron as the railing.

“Enjoy your visit.”

The elevator ride was short and smooth. The door opened without a sound. John paused, his eyes sweeping and assessing everything that lay before him.

A short set of stairs led down to the tiled floor, the staircase flanked by marble pillars the same pale aqua as the walls. Mirrors trimmed in gold lined the room, making it feel twice as big. Glass cases stood every few feet along the perimeter of the room.

Jewelry cases, John realized as he descended the stairs. Every case contained artfully arranged jewelry, from loose stones to elegantly set necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings sparkling with rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, even a crown.

“Hello, again.”

The smoky voice from his memory slid over him, a voice designed to tempt and seduce. Yet, he noted as he turned, despite the inherent sexiness in the tones, he experienced nothing more than a casual flicker of interest.

A woman stood at the top of the stairs. A sleeveless black dress clung to her curves. Sleek ebony hair had been cut into a bob, the sharply cut fringe of bangs accentuating her striking cheekbones and large eyes.

“Welcome back, Mr. Adamos.”

“Thank you.”

She cocked her head to the side. A flirtatious smile flitted about her lips, but her eyes were shrewd.

“Is everything all right?”

He paused. Part of him wanted to dive straight into questioning. But a sixth sense urged him to proceed with caution, to test the waters and work up to his questions.

“Yes.” He held up the card. “Saturday at seven thirty, yes?”

She stared at him for a long moment before descending the stairs. Each step was sensual, hips swaying, fingers lingering on the banister. Yet when she met his gaze, he saw a strong, calculating woman behind the theater. Whoever Miss Smythe was, she was certainly no fool.

“Champagne?”

“No, thank you.”

She gestured toward a mahogany desk set against one wall, a floor-to-ceiling mirror behind it and a set of tufted leather chairs in front. He waited until she circled the desk and sat before he took his seat. She pulled a drawer out and, judging by the soft ticks, typed in a code. A click sounded, followed by the whooshing of a door swinging open. She reached down below, then set a black box on the desk between them.

“As promised.”

John stared at the box. Then, slowly, he opened the lid.

The diamond glittered up at him from a bed of black silk. It was a diamond unlike any he’d ever seen. Black dots peppered the inside of the jewel, some pinpoints of color, others swirling out in tiny patterns that reminded him of a night sky. Tiny drops of pearls and aquamarine stones circled it, the entire arrangement set atop a silver band polished to a perfect shine.

Classic. Elegant. Romantic.

Flame. Red, silky flame spilling across his fingers. A laugh that made his body hard even as it made his chest light to hear it, to know he had made her smile. And then a name, whispered with such affection his chest tightened. “Julius...”

“It’s stunning.”

A genuine smile flashed on Miss Smythe’s ruby-red lips, fleeting but proud.

“Thank you. I don’t have many clients who request a salt-and-pepper diamond. It was a challenge I thoroughly enjoyed.”

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