Page 92 of Straightened Out

“What about this one?” I question, pointing to one of the several diamond necklaces the sales associate has taken out of the display case. Drawing her lower lip between her teeth, she diverts her attention to the necklace, but doesn’t say a word. “You don’t like it?”

“I love it,” she whispers, lifting her eyes to mine. “But it’s too much. I mean, Rocco, come on, I can’t wear this every day. I can’t even wear it on opening night.”

“Sure you can,” I argue, turning to the salesman. “May I?”

“Please,” he says, pushing the velvet board closer to me. I gently unclasp the necklace and turn back to Violet, instructing her to face the mirror. She sweeps her hair away from her neck as I fasten the necklace onto her. Once the clasp is secure, I kiss the back of her neck and fan her blonde hair around her shoulders. My eyes cut to the mirror and I watch as she lifts her hand to touch her fingertips to the diamonds.

“Beautiful,” I rasp.

“It is,” she whispers.

“I wasn’t talking about the necklace.”

She turns to face me, and I wink at her. Closing the distance between us, she throws her arms around my neck and presses her lips to mine.

“Tell me this is real life,” she whispers against my mouth. “Because sometimes I think I’m living a fairytale.”

Touching my hands to her hips, I bring her even closer and kiss her again. It takes every ounce of self-control not to give the salesman a show and lift her on top of the sparkling display cases. I fucked her while she wore nothing but my mother’s diamonds, now I want to fuck her while she wears nothing but her own diamonds. My dick twitches at the thought and I reluctantly pull away form her. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I rasp, “Not a dream, Bug, we’re as real as it gets.”

I tear my gaze away from her face and glance at the salesman.

“We’ll take it, we’re also going to need a pair of earrings to match. Studs.” I look back at Violet. “You can wear those on opening night, can’t you?”

“Rocco, you’re not buying my earrings too.”

“Watch it, Bug, if you keep pressing, I might just buy the whole fucking store,” I volley, taking her hand. I lace our fingers together and follow the salesman to another display case. He takes out a few pairs of earrings and Violet busies herself trying each pair on. I on the other hand am too distracted to have an opinion because I’m too busy staring at the diamond engagement rings in the next showcase.

My mind wanders and I imagine myself on one knee, asking Violet to marry me. The thought steals my breath and I brace a hand on the edge of the showcase to steady myself. I never could see myself settling down, much less entertaining the idea of marriage and yet here I am. My life is full of chaos but the woman next to me is my safe haven. She’s my grace and I want to spend the rest of my life loving her and spoiling her.

“What do you think?” Violet asks, diverting my attention back to her.

I think I want to marry you.

I think I want to make a family with you.

I think I want to—

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. I sigh heavily and reach into my pocket to retrieve it, but Violet steps forward and lays her hand over mine.

“You said you weren’t going to answer it tonight,” she reminds me as I take it out of my pocket. Out of habit, I glance at the screen and note it’s Parrish calling.

“Rocco?” Violet pushes.

“I’m sorry, baby, I can’t ignore this one.”

When the fucking self-proclaimed bulldog decides to call, one must answer, or they may never get the fucking chance again.

I lean in, stealing another quick kiss as I wipe the frown from her lips and accept the call.

“Spinelli,” I answer.

“Meet me at the Ramada Inn off the Victory Boulevard exit on the Staten Island Expressway and come alone.”

My eyebrows pinch together at the command, but before I say a word, he disconnects the call. Thinking I imagined the short exchange I stare at the phone. The screen lights up with another call and this time its Joaquin.

“Don’t you dare,” Violet warns, but I’ve already accepted the call. Lifting the phone to my ear, I’m about to tell him Parrish called when he speaks first.

“Where are you?” he barks.

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