Page 124 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 1-4

I don’t want that closeness. Not with her. Not with anyone.

“There’s beauty in everything.” She nods toward the retreating clouds. “Even storms.”

I think back to another storm, one where cold rain poured in through cracks around the window as I curled against my mother’s side, listening to the death rattle in her chest as she gasped for air between bursts of thunder.

“Not everything.”

Her head snaps back to me and the softness disappears, thank God.

“Did you just come to make conversation, or are you here for a reason?”

“I’m here to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement.” I smile at her again, the smile I wield before I offer people what they desire. “One that would include me signing over the deed to Grey House.”

Even the air seems to still as she stares at me. Then she inhales sharply and time resumes. Her lips part as her eyes move between the house and me.

“What price are you asking?”

“A reasonable and affordable one.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out a black velvet box. The confusion on her face would be amusing if so much didn’t hinge on her saying one specific word.

“What...”

Her voice trails off as I flip open the lid to reveal a ten-carat diamond set into a platinum band decorated with smaller, but no less fine, diamonds.

“Your hand in marriage.”

CHAPTER SIX

Juliette

THISHASTObe a joke. There is no scenario in this universe where Gavriil Drakos would propose to me.

I stare at the ring. It’s so opulent it’s almost comical.

“Is that fake?”

Gavriil glares at me.

“It’s a million-dollar ring, Grey.”

I’d laugh at the offense in his tone if I wasn’t still shell-shocked.

“Is there a hidden camera somewhere?” I look around. We appear to be alone on the bluff, but Gavriil could have easily paid for cameras to be secreted around the property. “Is this some elaborate prank to embarrass me? Punish me for looking into your family?”

He frowns at me like I’m an idiot.

“It’s a proposal, Grey. I’m asking you to marry me.”

“Why on earth would you want to marry me?”

He gives me a lazy smile, which stirs some of the warmth that’s lingered ever since our near-kiss in the grotto. I hate that he has that effect on me.

“I don’t want to marry anyone. But I have to.”

“Come again?”

He sighs. “We may not see eye to eye on some things, Grey. But on the subject of my father, we can both agree he was a bastard.” His lips twist into something menacing that makes my chest clench. The fury flickering in his eyes as he snaps the lid shut on the ring box gives me far deeper insight into just why he’s so successful at what he does than any research I could have done. For all his pomp and flash, Gavriil Drakos has a dark side. One that sends a not unpleasant shiver down my spine as I see a glimpse of the dominant leader behind the mask of amused arrogance he so often shows to the world.

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