Her burst of relieved laughter turned into tears. When his strong arms enfolded her she held on tight, the cathartic release of weeks of worry triggering even more sobs.
Their baby was okay.
Maybe they would be okay too.
Several hours later, as she dressed for the event, that hope had taken a firm little root in her heart.
Securing her hair on one side with a discreet silver clip, she arranged the heavy fall over one shoulder. The stylist the concierge had sent up had done amazing things with her eye make-up, the smoky shadow bringing out an extra sparkle that highlighted the joy glowing inside her.
Her baby was safe.
She was still smiling when she answered the knock on her suite door a few minutes later.
Ramon’s gaze locked on her face, his body growing stock-still before his gaze trailed a blazing path down her body.
‘This dress...this one is my favourite,’ he muttered.
The red evening gown was a little tighter than when she’d first tried it on weeks ago in Miami, especially around the stomach area where her waist had thickened, but even she had to admit it looked amazing on her.
She smiled. ‘I know.’
‘But it’s lacking something, I think.’ He stepped inside, reached into his pocket and brought out a glittering necklace.
More diamonds.
Even more spectacular than her engagement ring. Before she could find the right words to express her shock, he was stepping behind her, securing the priceless jewellery around her neck.
Turning her around, he stared down at her. ‘Your pregnancy suits you, guapa. You’re glowing.’
‘With all this bling I’m sporting, how could I not?’ she joked.
One corner of his mouth began to lift. The buzzing in his pocket made him draw away from her.
Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen. And tensed.
‘What is it?’ she asked.
Tucking the phone against his chest, he traced a finger down her cheek. ‘Sorry, belleza. I have to attend to some business downstairs. Stay here—I’ll be back up in ten minutes to escort you down.’
She started to nod, but he was already walking away. Frowning at his abruptness, she picked up her tiny purse and left her suite.
The butler offered her a drink but she refused, on account of the sudden nerves zinging through her stomach. Unable to settle, she slowly paced the living room. As she passed the open terrace doors a breeze blew in. She shivered, hating the disquieting vibes raising goose bumps on her flesh.
When she heard footsteps behind her, she turned gratefully. Only to be confronted with the last person she expected to see.
Svetlana Roskova was a magnificent vision in white. With her silver-blonde hair perfectly coiled on her crown, her figure-skimming halter-neck dress displaying graceful shoulders and a body that photographers and designers begged for, she was impossible to dismiss.
Bright grey eyes surveyed Suki from head to toe before she glided forward and paused in front of her, her six-foot height on top of her heels making Suki feel like a midget.
‘You must be Suzy?’ she asked in a smoky voice.
‘It’s Suki. Can...can I help you?’ Suki asked, hating her stumbling voice.
Her smile was shockingly warm. ‘Oh, honey, I’m here to help you.’
‘I... I didn’t realise I needed help.’
‘That’s okay. I don’t mind helping a girl out.’ Gliding past Suki, she walked in a small circle, her gaze flitting through the suite. ‘I love this hotel. My personal favourite is the Abu Dhabi one, though. Ramon spared absolutely no expense with that one. Which was why it received a seven-star rating, of course. It’s also a little less...old-fashioned, shall we say? I don’t see the draw in antiques to be honest.’ She gave a sultry laugh. ‘Which was why I couldn’t get the decorators into that mausoleum he calls home in Cienfuegos fast enough.’