Page 74 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

“Why not go to the police? The hospital?”

“Those routes will take time. When I confirmed today’s date and time, I decided that coming here would offer me the quickest route to the question of who I am.”

She tapped a manicured finger on the desk. Once, then once again, the sound echoing in the room. He maintained her gaze, accepting her assessment yet not backing down.

At last, she leaned back into her chair.

“The name you provided was John Adamos.”

“A name I don’t recognize.”

She shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a fake. Smythe’s has been in business for generations. We thrive on exclusivity and mystery. Part of that includes not asking details of our clients. If they have a card, they get admitted. If they have money, we accept their order. Beyond that, we know very little about the people we work for.”

He stood and began to pace. “When did I make the appointment?”

“Three weeks ago, when you submitted a request and the deposit.”

“Deposit?”

“I require half, but you paid in full. One million euros.”

He stared at her. “A million?”

“Yes.” She shrugged a bare shoulder. “We’re the best.”

“And I said nothing about the woman this ring is for?”

Something wistful passed across Miss Smythe’s face, so quickly John would have missed it if he hadn’t been watching her carefully.

“No.” She leaned forward. “But I’ve been in this showroom since I was a child. First watching my father, then learning, then leading. I know the difference between clients who want to impress someone, clients who are desperate, clients who are here simply for the thrill.”

“The thrill?”

“Smythe’s is by referral only to the world’s elite. The art you saw on the ground floor serves as an excuse for the people who come to our door should anyone ask questions. A private collection that only the most esteemed art lovers are granted access to.” The same proud smile he’d glimpsed earlier returned. “Without the black card you had in your possession, probably given to you by a former client, you would have either been turned away by Henry or one of the other guards.” She smirked. “It’s incredible how many politicians, movie stars and royals will pay hundreds of thousands just so they can engage in a clandestine appointment and own a piece of jewelry from my shop.”

His lips quirked. “Did I present as a spoiled bastard?”

The smirk faded. “No.” Miss Smythe opened the box and gazed at the ring. This time there was no mistaking the sadness in her eyes. “No, whoever you purchased this for is a fortunate woman to have someone who cares about her so deeply. You declined champagne. You booked an hour and took great care in examining the jewels. Many come to me wanting the most expensive or exclusive. You wanted something that, as you told me, would be beautiful but unique, enigmatic.” Another smile flashed, genuine and nostalgic. “This ring was one I greatly enjoyed working on.”

That sense of urgency invaded once more.

“Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“You set your appointment for two weeks out. You came in last week, picked out this diamond,” she said with a nod to the box, “and arranged to come back today to pick up the ring.”

“And I left no contact information? No phone, no email?”

Her fingers danced across the screen of her computer.

“You left an address.” She rattled off the numbers and name of a street. “It’s on the island of Grenada in the Caribbean Sea, care of Esmerelda Clark.”

Esmerelda.The name rushed through him. He knew the name. Could see full lips turned up in a rare smile, green eyes dotted with gold and sparkling with laughter, red curls framing a freckled face.

“Do you know who she is?”

“No. As I mentioned, we honor our clients’ wishes for privacy and do not conduct any background checks.”

He steeled himself against the sudden frenetic energy that urged him to get up, to find Esmerelda Clark, to dosomething. He would find her. He had to find her. Surely, he wouldn’t have put down the name of some random woman for such an important transaction. At the very least, she would probably have some answers about who he was.

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