I nod. “You have it all figured out.”
“I do.”
I don’t actually have to go through with a marriage. I just get to use the name Black, same as him and pretend to be his wife while at the club. Easy enough. It’s the best, for both of us.
“Fine. Let’s get fake married.”
“Good.” Enzo walks over to a painting of a deer on the wall. He slides it open revealing a safe behind it.
I chuckle.
“What?” he asks.
“I just feel like I’m in some sort of spy movie. I didn’t realize anyone really kept safes behind paintings.”
He shrugs. “This isn’t my safe. It belonged to my father, and I haven’t opened it since he died.”
“Why are you opening it now?”
He enters a code, and it pops open before he reaches inside.
My breathing stops as I wait to see what he’s retrieving, but somehow I already know.
A small box appears in his hand. He walks over to me and holds out the box.
I set my glass down on one of the end tables next to several luxury chairs before I carefully take the box from his hands without touching him.
I open the box.
A simple diamond ring sits in the center. I couldn’t tell you if it was a princess cut or emerald cut or what. I couldn’t tell you if the diamond were real or fake. All I know is it is the most beautiful, elegant ring I’ve ever seen.
Whoever wore this before wore it with love. I can feel the love oozing from the metal ring.
“It was my mother’s,” Enzo says.
“It’s beautiful.”
“If you don’t like it, we can get you any ring you want. And when we are do
ne, you can sell it for money. The ring is worth millions. You could live off the money for the rest of your life if you lose.”
My gaze slowly drifts up to his—this sad boy’s eyes. And in this moment, I forgive him a little more.
For almost killing me.
For forcing me to survive a night in the sea.
For selling me.
For betting against my life and claiming me.
For the lies.
I’m as close as possible to forgiving him for all of it.
Because in his eyes I can see how much this ring means to him. The only treasured possession from a forgotten mother. Something we have in common. A mother who left us and was the only one who ever truly loved us.
Enzo is willing to give it up to provide me with security if I lose.