Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Knight reaches behind me and takes his gun back, and while I make the payment, he digs his knife out of my handbag before shoving it into the side of his boot.
“Thank you, Christakis,” I say, avoiding the goodbye kiss and only giving his arm a squeeze.
“Most of the suits will be ready in three weeks, but the ones with hand stitching will take two months,” he tells me as he walks with us to the entrance of the store.
“Okay. Just give me a call.”
He nods. “It was good seeing you.”
“Likewise,” I reply before I head out of the store with Knight. “Now for casual clothes.”
“There’s more?” he asks.
“Oh, so much more.” I grin at my man.
It feels good taking care of him.
We climb into the SUV, then he says, “Before you get all excited about getting me more clothes, we have to stop somewhere.”
“Okay.”
As he drives to our next destination, I realize I feel lighter than I’ve felt in months, if not years.
The pressure of learning about the business and trying to please Dad, while trying to do things my way, is gone.
The grief isn’t as intense anymore.
I feel grounded and happy, and it’s all because of Knight.
I turn my head and look at him. “Thank you for sticking by my side when I tried to push you away.”
His eyes flick to me before returning to the road ahead. “You’re welcome.”
He slows the SUV down, and after parking it, we get out, and he comes to take my hand.
When he leads me to a jewelry store, his thumb brushes over my ring finger, and he says, “I hope I got the size right.”
My eyes widen, and I’m at a loss for words when he leads me into the store.
“When did you have time to go ring shopping?”
“While you were working in the office. I left Davies to watch you while I went out for thirty minutes.”
We stop at a counter, and the lady behind it smiles brightly when she recognizes Knight.
There’s a surge of jealousy in my chest. I move closer to my man, and with my eyes locked on hers, I rub my cheek against his shoulder while practically marking my territory.
Not noticing a thing, he wraps his arm around my shoulders while saying, “Hi, Evelina. I’m here for the ring. Knight.”
“Of course.” Her smile isn’t as bright anymore.
I watch as she pulls a box from beneath the counter and places it on the glass top.
Knight grabs it before she can open the lid. “Thanks.” He turns his back to me, and I assume he’s looking at the ring.
I hear the box snap shut, and without saying anything else, I’m steered out of the store. Knight shoves the box into his pocket, and when he notices my questioning look, he says, “Patience, little goddess. I have somewhere specific I want to give it to you.”
Excitement bubbles in my chest, and I start picturing Knight going down on one knee.
Chapter 31
KNIGHT
“Why do you want to stop at Santiago’s compound?” Cassia asks as I steer the SUV toward his place.
“There’s something there I want to show you,” I reply vaguely.
When Santiago first brought me home with him, I thought the compound was insanely overstated. The huge property looks more like a resort, and he has more than a hundred people living in cottages that surround the villa.
When we drive through the heavily guarded gates, I give the guards a nod of my head.
“Do you know why Santiago has all these people living here?” Cassia asks.
“They’re all people he saved who had nowhere else to go,” I answer. “Every week, he comes home with someone new.”
“God,” she gasps. “That’s incredible but a lot of responsibility for one man.”
I nod in agreement. “It makes him happy, which is all that matters.”
I stop the car near the front door, and after we get out, I take Cassia’s hand and lead her inside.
When I spot Pedro, who’s in charge of security, I ask, “Is he home?”
Pedro nods. “Outside in his usual spot.”
I head out to the large pool that’s surrounded by lounge chairs and plants and see Santiago sitting in his favorite chair, staring out over the hill at the sunrise.
He seems to be deep in thought while twirling the diamond ring on his pointer finger.
The day a fortune teller told him he’s moving closer toward meeting the love of his life, he got the ring.
He turns his head, and when he sees us, he climbs to his feet.
“Morning,” I say. “Planning how you’re going to take over the world?”
He lets out a chuckle. “Always. My kingdom grew with four more people during my last raid.”
“Hi, Santiago,” Cassia murmurs. “I don’t think I mentioned it the last time I was here, but you have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you.” His eyes drift over her, then he asks, “How are you feeling?”