Delta's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 1)

“Sir.” Georgan held the car door. He stared straight.

“Thank you. I need to make one more stop before we return to the palace.”

“Yes, sir.”

I ducked into the backseat. “I’d like to stop by Vitania’s.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

We sped away from the club. That chapter of my life was closed. No more nights feuding with Sebastian over women. No more drunken parties that ended in one night of fucking. One tender had changed that. It had changed me.

Georgan communicated with the security vehicle behind us. We arrived at the rear entrance of Vitania’s. It was unconventional, but I was steering our path as far from royal tradition as I could. Something about the unsavory exchange with my mother had pushed me further. There was value in the history and the tradition of our family, but there was also an ugly side. A side that had made my mother a bitter woman. She was controlled by the confines of the past. Those shackles wouldn’t hold me down any longer.

I waited in the car while the officers did a quick sweep of the patrons.

“It’s clear. There is no one shopping.”

“Thank you.”

The officer pulled the door open for me. A small bell jingled as I entered. I hadn’t been in this store since I was a child. It was the official jeweler of the royal family, but they usually made house calls. It was one more way I was bucking the system. I could shop for myself.

The woman inside the store nodded. “Your Majesty, this is an honor.” She seemed flustered, immediately straightening her apron.

“Thank you. I could use your help today.”

Her glasses were attached to a chain around her neck. She had thick spongy hair like a curly helmet.

“Anything you need. What are you shopping for today?” she asked. “I-I really am honored you have chosen today to shop.”

I walked toward the first glass case. I didn’t see anything I liked.

“An engagement ring,” I stated.

The woman gasped. “Your Majesty!”

I put my finger to my lips. “Shh. It’s a secret. My family has shopped at Vitania’s for years because of the discretion here. I’m sure that hasn’t changed.”

Her curls shook. “It has not. I will not tell a soul.”

“Good. Then I’m looking for something with sapphires.”

“We have a beautiful selection. I have some pieces in the back. Let me gather a few. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at her.

The guards stood like statues at the doors. I wouldn’t be able to maintain the secrecy for long, but after tonight I wouldn’t have to.

A few minutes later the shop keeper returned with a black velvet tray. She pulled back the cloth covering the surface to reveal three stunning pieces of jewelry.

“Your Majesty, we can also custom make any design you like if these don’t suit you.”

I plucked the middle one from the tray. I held it toward the light. It was flawless. The sapphire was the perfect shade.

“I assume these are perfect quality.”

“Oh yes. These are the highest quality diamonds and sapphires. If you would like to exchange a stone for one of your family stones, we can do that as well.”

“That’s not necessary.” I didn’t like the suggestion. I wanted a new beginning. I was tired of the same rings being handed down for two hundred years. That wasn’t Molly.