Page 73 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

“Salt-and-pepper diamond?”

One perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched up.

“Yes. As we discussed at your last appointment.”

“Remind me again.”

She pulled the ring from the bed of silk and held it up. “Also known as galaxy or celestial diamonds, salt-and-pepper diamonds used to be seen as undesirable. Flawed. The black spots you see are bits of carbon or minerals that didn’t crystallize during the formation of the diamond. But as the world evolves, they’re starting to be appreciated for their uniqueness.” She angled the ring so he could stare into the depths of the stone. “Unlike a traditional diamond that reflects light, a salt-and-pepper diamond pulls you in. Encourages a second look. The longer you look, the more you see.”

He tried to reach out, to grasp a memory of the faceless red-haired woman. To summon an image of a woman he had apparently considered asking to be his wife.

An endless darkness thwarted his efforts. As if there was nothing beyond the past few hours. Suddenly angry, he tried harder, focused more, demanded his body release whatever it was concealing from him.

Searing pain shot through his head. His eyes scrunched shut as he suppressed a groan.

“Mr. Adamos?”

“A moment,” he ground out.

Finally, the pain passed. When it did, he opened his eyes to see a bottle of water in front of him and Miss Smythe watching him.

“Once you’re recovered, you have five minutes to tell me what’s going on or leave.”

He breathed in deeply, took a long drink of water and then sat back.

“A headache, Miss Smythe. Surely, you’ve heard of them.”

Her eyes narrowed as she sat back.

“While I may interact with clients from a variety of backgrounds, if you’re indulging in any illicit substance, I’ll have you—”

“Strike that thought from your mind.”

The authoritative command flowed naturally from his tongue. To her credit, Miss Smythe didn’t flinch even as she gave him the tiniest of contrite nods.

“My apologies if I have offended you. But,” she countered, leaning forward and crossing her arms so they gently pressed her breasts up, “you’re still not telling me the truth.”

“You’re a beautiful woman, Miss Smythe. But it will take more than a little cleavage to have me reveal my secrets.”

She let out a chuckle and leaned back into her chair.

“Worth a try.” She sobered. “Mr. Adamos, to date our dealings have been nothing but professional. You paid on time, and in full. Your requests for the ring were obviously well-thought-out and detailed. But I have been in business long enough to know that something has changed since our last parting. Perhaps it is personal, and if so, I will drop the topic. But if it affects your purchase, or my company, I have a right to know.”

He stared at her for a long moment. It would be taking a risk, an early one. Revealing his secret went against an instinct imprinted so deeply inside him he didn’t question it. But he also recognized that, so far, this was the only link he had.

“I woke up an hour ago with no memory of who I am.”

It gave him a small jolt of satisfaction to see her mouth drop open.

“Excuse me?”

“I woke up in a suite in The Bancroft an hour ago. I had a splitting headache and my chest felt like it was on fire. I have no memory of who I am, no wallet, no phone,” he held up his left hand, “and no watch. All I could find, besides some very expensive luggage and an envelope full of euros, was your business card.”

Her eyes darted between him and the ring box, now closed and pushed off to the side. “No memories at all? Not of your initial appointment five days ago?”

He waited a moment, let his eyes roam around the room. It felt familiar, but aside from the brief flashes he’d experienced outside when he’d first arrived, nothing else appeared.

“A flash here and there. Nothing substantial.”

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