Page 49 of Shattered Diamonds

“Luck has nothing to do with it.”

I glance at Haven. Her cheeks burn with a crimson blush that radiates down her neck to her chest where her chin has dropped. “Thank you,” she softly whispers.

“Go get the tape ready,” I order Domenico so I can have a moment alone with Haven.

“Yes, sir.”

“Haven,” I call her name in a way she’ll know it’s an order. She lifts her sight to mine. I pull her to stand in front of me and lift her chin with the crook of my index finger. “Even though I don’t like people staring at you, I knew exactly what he was going to say. Do you not believe you are a beautiful woman?”

“I believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“I have it ready, Mr. Carbone.”

I study her for a moment, choosing to shelve the conversation because business needs to be conducted. The talk she and I will have will happen in private. “We will discuss this matter further. For now, go admire some jewelry while I take care of business.”

ChapterNineteen

HAVEN

I can hearthem conversing while I walk around the showroom. It’s more Demetri demanding answers than them talking. I stop at a case that has the most delicate watches. My eyes stop on a stunning rose gold timepiece that stands all on its own. A showpiece if I ever saw one. It’s a thicker band that sparkles but the elegant filigree makes it look dainty and feminine.

I step to the next display, and hear Demetri ask, “What was his threat, Domenico?”

“‘Tell Mr. Carbone he took what was rightfully owed to me. Tell him I’m coming for him.’ Then he smashed the case. He was demanding the stones we had just received. I told him they had already been taken off my hands just a few hours prior. That’s when he smashed the second case.” He shakes his head in defeat. “Mr. Carbone, the cases—”

“Will be taken care of.” Demetri cuts him off.

“And Mr. Heart?”

“Will be made aware of the situation. You report to me. Remember that.”

“I just don’t want any trouble.”

“Turn on the footage,” Demetri orders with a lift of his chin, ignoring Domenico.

I walk to the farthest display, not wanting to get any closer and have Demetri think I’m eavesdropping. Although, I am. I glance down at the case in front of me. It has stunning engagement and wedding bands. I never really thought about what style of ring I would want when the day came that I got engaged. I kind of silently chuckle at that. I have thought of everything else but that. I’ve always seen it as something my fiancé thought I should have. A ring he saw me wearing. Something that suited me, my personality, and my taste. To me, that would show the intimacy we shared between us. The small details that only someone paying attention to their partner would know.

I admire each of them, my own eyes reflecting the shine from their sparkle until I hear the man’s voice on the security screen demanding Domenico give him the diamonds. His Russian accent is too familiar, and I find myself gravitating towards it. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m standing at Demetri’s side. He glances over at me, scanning my face in question. When he sees what he’s searching for, he goes back to his interrogation. If it bothers him that I’m now intruding in on his business, he doesn’t show it. My gaze goes up to the CCTV camera. I watch the man smash the glass in a rage. His Russian accent gets heavier the angrier he gets. I feel Demetri’s eyes on me, so I glance his way. I squirm in my stance when I realize both men are now watching me.

“She knows something,” Domenico accuses, pointing his finger at me. “You know that man, don’t you?”

“What? No!”

Demetri peers down at me, analyzing me.

“I…”

“She knows nothing.”

“She’s lying,” Domenico disagrees.

The next thing I know, Demetri snatches Domenico up by his tie and smashes his face into the glass case. Blood splatters. I gasp in shock and jump back. When I go to take another step away, my wrist is grabbed, and I’m hauled back to my original spot. Breathless, I stare into Demetri’s hard eyes. Domenico struggles to get free as I stand there, watching this man fight for his life as he’s getting choked out.

“Did you just disrespect my woman?”

“N-No, sir.” Domenico struggles for breath.

I want to tell Demetri to let him up. To leave him be because he is right, that I might know him, but I don’t want to go against his word. My hand starts to shake as I watch Domenico turn purple. Demetri glances over at me.

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