Page 71 of Devil's Tulip

Inside, lying neatly on a cushion of black velvet, is my mom’s necklace. The broken clasp—fixed.

Michael’s voice drops to a soft murmur. “Gracie mentioned wedding traditions, so I got you the blue doves. Is it too late to give you something old?”

The haze fades as I look up at him, my heart suddenly so full and tight it hurts a little to breathe, words choking the back of my throat. “This…” I swallow. “I put it in my bedside drawer last night so I wouldn’t lose it today.”

“I know. I, uh… borrowed it. Had it fixed for you.”

I stare at him, speechless.

He scratches the back of his neck. “I wanted to get you something new, too, but I wasn’t sure what you’d like.” Then, with a teasing smirk, he adds. “But now I do—jewelry. Noted.”

A wobbly laugh escapes me as I trace the shield pendant. Slowly, I lift it from the box. “Thank you so much, Michael.”

His expression softens. Taking the necklace from my trembling fingers, he leans over me, carefully fastening it around my neck. “I’m going to take care of you,” he murmurs. “And spoil you. You won’t regret marrying me.”

Something inside me melts at the promise in his voice, and before I can think better of it, I throw my arms around him, hugging him fiercely.

I don’t know if I’ll regret marrying him or not.

But right now, I don’t think I will.

20

MICHAEL

I wake up to a mouthful of hair. It’s everywhere—my face, my nose, tickling my throat. I smile and tighten my arms around the warm feminine body nestled against me, breathing her in deeply.

My wife.

The thought sends a deep, satisfied thrill rolling down my spine, grounding me in a way I didn’t know I needed. I shift slightly, tucking my head back just enough to escape the ambush of hair, and finally get a good look at her. She’s still fast asleep, lips parted as she snores softly like she doesn’t have a single care in the world.

I swallow my amused chuckle, not wanting to wake her just yet.

Then the alarm clock catches my eye, and I stiffen. 9 AM already? I’ve never spent this long in bed. Even with the blinds drawn, I’m wired to wake up at sunrise. A mountain of calls and emails must be piling up in my office.

Reluctantly, I untangle myself from her warmth. She doesn’t stir as I roll out of the bed, so I tiptoe to the bathroom, closingthe door behind me. A quick brush of my teeth, a splash of cold water to my face, and I feel a little more like myself.

Walking back out, I glance at Gianna. She’s rolled onto my side of the bed, face buried into my pillow. My heart expands as I indulge the fantasy that she’s seeking my warmth, my scent now that I’m gone. But I push it aside as I quietly close the bedroom door behind me.

Padding down the hallway towards my office, I nearly collide with Gracie.

She stops short, wide eyes. “Are you just getting up from bed?”

I roll my shoulders, annoyed at the blatant amazement in her tone. This is the issue with long-term employees. Gracie has been with me for so damn long, she’s grown bold and doesn’t fear me nearly as much as she should.

Case in point: the impertinent question she just asked.

I level a look at her. “Do you have a problem with that?”

Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile, but she’s wise enough not to let it bloom as she shakes her head. My narrowed eyes follow her anyway before I brush past her into the sanctuary of my office.

Sliding into my chair, I power on my computers and grab my phone. Two missed calls from Rafael.

So, he heard the news then.

No surprise there. Word travels fast in the underground, no matter how hard you try to keep it under wraps. Nobody gossips like made men on a mission together.

I sigh and drop the phone back on the desk. He won’t be pleased with me. I’ll deal with his tantrum later.

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