Page 127 of Brutal Heir

“This,” she says, setting it on the counter and flipping it open with a reverence that makes my heart stutter, “is from our heritage collection. The center stone is a rare emerald, deep green, but with fire beneath the surface. It’s flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds and set in a platinum band with Celtic knotwork etched along the sides. Handmade. One of a kind.”

The light catches the stone, and something in my chest clenches.

It’s perfect.

Fiery. Regal. Irish to its core.

Just like her.

“She won’t expect this,” I murmur, staring at the emerald like it’s already hers.

“Then it’ll mean even more when you give it to her.”

I’m pulling out my wallet and swiping my black card from my wallet without a second thought. “Wrap it up. She’s going to say yes.”

She smiles softly. “She’d have to be crazy not to.”

And I hope like hell Evelyn is right. Because I’m not just buying a ring.

I’m claiming a future with the only woman who’s ever made me feel whole.

CHAPTER 49

ONE LAST BREATH

Rory

“I want to take you out on a real date.” Alessandro’s voice, low and oddly reverent, catches me off guard as I sip the caramel macchiato in a quiet corner of the café.

My eyes lift to meet his guarded ones as I fiddle with a lock of hair that’s fallen free from the messy bun atop my head. Secured by my trusty hairpin dagger of course. “Excuse me?” The café below his penthouse has been the farthest I’ve left the apartment in days.

“You heard me, Red.” He shifts in his seat, toying with something under the table. “Our relationship hasn’t exactly been conventional, and I want to fix that. You deserve a real date, the nice restaurant, fancy dress and whole nine yards.”

“Now? In the midst of all this shite with Conall?”

Alessandro heaves out a breath and sits back in his chair. “I don’t want thatpezzo di merdato dictate our lives more than he already has,” he grits out.

“I don’t disagree with you, but…”

“But what?” He reaches across the table and covers my hand with his big one. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

I snort on a laugh, the unexpected turn of phrase catching me off guard. “Afraid of a date with you, McFecker? Please…”

“So, it’s a yes then?”

“Of course it is. Any reason to get out of the penthouse.”

He chuckles, the warm sound sending delightful tingles across my skin. “And don’t worry, it’ll be perfectly safe. I’ll arrange for a whole horde of guards and a private dining room?—”

I raise a hand, cutting him off. “You don’t have to sell me on the idea, Ale. A real date with you sounds perfect.”

“Good.” A soft smile spreads across his handsome face, and my heart flip flops at the sight. Jesus, Mary and Joseph… I’m so gone for this man.

I lift the macchiato back to my lips, letting the warmth coat the sudden nerves wiggling around in my gut.

My phone buzzes against the table. I cast a quick glance at the screen.

It’s an unfamiliar number, except for the country code. Northern Ireland.