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Faustus snorts. “Nonsense. No diamond is too big for a beautiful woman.”

“Pick the one you like,” I instruct. “You’re not leaving here until you do. Choose wisely.”

She rolls her eyes, making her seem younger and less overwhelmed. That, too, gets my dick hard. I smirk as she takes the pink diamond. I can tell she doesn’t like it.

“No pink,” I tell Faustus. “Perhaps something to match her eyes.”

I nod to the small tray that’s covered by a black cloth. Jewelers like him are all the same. They tease and tease until they get to the truly priceless gems. I don’t have all day. I want a ring on her finger by the time we leave this room. Preferably the most valuable one.

Faustus, clearly peeved that I’ve cut short his show, frowns at me before reaching for the tray. He swaps out the one on her lap for the new one.

“This is as rare as they come,” he explains, his voice turning to a whisper as he foreshadows what must be the best diamond here. “Priceless.”

He pulls away the cloth to reveal a square light blue diamond already set in a platinum band. It sparkles from the sun streaming in the window, nearly blinding me. This will do. This will do nicely. Her eyes have locked onto the ring and she can’t hide her appreciation for it. The blues in her eyes sparkle exactly like that of the diamond.

“This is a 24.18 carat emerald-cut vivid blue diamond called the Aster Blue. It comes from a South African mine and is the largest of five gems cut from a 122.52 carat rough blue diamond unearthed in 2001.” He smiles at her. “Blue diamonds are among the rarest this world has ever seen. This diamond even rarer due to the size and cut. The jeweler who first owned it selfishly kept it for his wife, but eventually sold it in an auction seven years ago.”

She looks up at Faustus. “Why did he sell it?”

Faustus’s smile falters and he shoots me a panicked look. I, too, am curious about how a man would give his wife a priceless stone and then sell it.

“Is it important? Look at the way it catches the light,” Faustus tells her.

Her head bows to inspect it, but irritation churns in my gut at his blatant refusal to answer her question. All it takes is for me to lean forward in my chair, my gaze burning into him, for him to give up the goods.

“He sold it because his wife left him. Ran away with his brother.” He cringes, shooting me an apologetic look. “She left the ring and a note. His broken heart could only be soothed by the hefty amount the diamond brought in.”

“Do you ever plan to leave me, moró mou?” I taunt, my voice dropping to a deadly low level.

Her blue eyes snap to mine, fear gleaming in them. With one hard stare, I challenge her to lie to me. We both know this morning, she’d done just that.

“I would like to try it on,” she says, ignoring my question and holding out her dainty hand to Faustus.

Beads of perspiration dot his forehead as he eagerly takes her hand, clearly desperate to change the line of conversation. He slides the massive light blue diamond on her slender finger. Possessiveness claws its way around my heart at seeing it on her hand. She’d be a fool to not choose it. It’s perfect on her.

“How much is it?” she asks, her nose scrunching as she regards him.

“Priceless.” He grins at her, before glancing my way. “Nothing a Demetriou can’t afford.”

“I guess I’ll take this one then,” she says in a breathy voice.

“You guess?” Faustus chokes out. “My lovely lady, this blue diamond is worth fifty-seven point seven million euros.”

Talia jerks her hand back, snapping her gaze my way, horror in her blue eyes. “That’s insane!”

“It is the one,” I tell Faustus blandly as I pick up my desk phone and dial Aris’s secretary, Carlene. When she answers, I bark out my request for her to wire the money to Faustus. By the time I hang up, Faustus is beaming and Talia looks as though she swallowed something poisonous. “I thank you for your time, Faustus.” With a nod, I dismiss them.

Talia remains still, the shiny diamond ring sparkling, as the men pack up the jewelry. They work quickly and quietly. After a brief handshake with Faustus, I rise and see them to the door.

“Talia, come,” I bark out.

She jolts at my words and stands. Crimson paints her neck red, making me wonder what it is she’s embarrassed about.

“Bring me the ring,” I order, holding out my palm.

Her nostrils flare, but she obeys, stalking over to me. She plucks the ring from her finger and hands it over. Once it’s safely encased in my fist, I grip her wrist and walk her out to my veranda.


Tags: K. Webster, Nikki Ash Truths and Lies Romance