Page 28 of Savage Promises

My pulse spikes at his touch. “I thought for sure you’d forgotten.”

He presses a brawny knuckle against my right cheek. “Never. Not for a second.”

I touch the stones and want to cry. “Topaz is so pretty, isn’t it?”

Shane leans in to whisper again, “Confession.”

I’m ready to have a heart attack. “I... I don’t need one.”

“Those aren’t topaz gemstones. Those are rare blue diamonds I asked them to source just for you, Lennox.”

I choke up. “Why?”

“Because you deserve them.”

My mind fractures. How do I tell Rafael, who hasn’t even called me yet today, that one million dollars’ worth of diamonds is a friendly gift from my sister’sfiancé?

Rafael isn’t the jealous type, but every man’s ego would take a hit from this move. He might even start trouble with Shane.

“I can’t accept these.” I caress the necklace with the tipof my index finger.

“You can and you will.” Shane ignores my protest, takes my hand, and slips the bracelet on.

“Shane,” I rasp. “I work nearly seven days a week at the club. I can’t walk around dripping...”

His eyebrow raises. “Go on.”

“I can’t walk around in diamonds.” I remove the jewelry and set them down. “I’m the boss. Not a trophy wife.”

Shane thinks about that. “I understand. I don’t want some drunk fool at your club eyeing the ice around your neck and trying something stupid. So, let’s make a deal.” He snags the anklet with five blue diamonds in a platinum setting and gets down on one knee.

“Shane!” I gasp when he reaches for my ankle.

He lifts my leg and pushes the pant hem away. With scary precision, he slides the adorned chain up past my heel and around my ankle. His thick fingers easily secure the clasp.

“You will take this one piece and wear it every day.”

I glance down and want to cry at how beautiful it is. “Okay,” I whisper.

He leans in, his teeth bared in a feral grin. “When RafaelMarchantis fucking you, I want this dangling from your ankle so you think of me.”

I get chills at how visceral he sounds.

“This is our secret, Lennox. I want you to wear this.For me.” His face is hard as granite. “Can you do that, Lennox? Can you make that commitment to me?”

I can make this commitment, but what canhecommit to me? Will seeing me wrapped in diamonds he bought make him forget my sister is his wife? Does he want us to live in some alternate reality?

From the determination in his eyes, I know he won’t accept anything less than yes.

Having no choice, I close my eyes and whisper, “Okay.”

CHAPTER TEN

Lennox

Aweek later, I open the gymnasium door at Astoria Prep and frown at Shane’s text, telling me once again he can’t reach Neve.

My head is still spinning from that day at the diamond store. Especially since I caught sight of the bill. The anklet Shane bought for me cost more than Neve’s two rings.

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