Page 30 of Claimed Gem

“Sirs, I am going to take my leave now,” Detective Pataros told them. “I will be in touch when we have something new to report.”

Ries and Nicolai thanked the man before Nicolai turned to Ries with a knowing grin. “You look happier than I think I’ve ever seen you, which is odd seeing as how you were shot yesterday. What gives?”

Nicolai’s eyes slid over to Stephanie as though he already knew the answer.

13

Stephanie felt Ries’eyes on her. She tried not to blush when he explained his recent happiness.

Nicolai winked at her and then whispered, “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. You’ve been good for him.”

Stephanie merely nodded as Nicolai bid his brother farewell and instructed Chris to do whatever was necessary to keep everyone safe. Moments later, she was once again alone with Ries and the way he was looking at her was unnerving. She gave him a smile and then moved out from under his arm.

“Let me go get you some breakfast, and I’m sure you’re ready for some more pain medication by now.”

“Don’t run off,” Ries reached for her but she eluded him.

“I’ll be right back. Would you rather eat up in your bedroom?”

“No, here is fine. Chris,” Ries called out, snagging Stephanie’s arm and keeping her from leaving the room.

“Yes?”

“Could you ask the housekeeper to fix us both some breakfast? And if you have my prescription, I wouldn’t refuse a pain med right about now.”

Chris reached into his pocket and withdrew a prescription bottle. He set it on the table and then left the room, saying, “I’ll have breakfast brought in to you shortly.”

“Thanks.”

“I could have done that,” she told him.

“But you don’t have to. My brother seemed to like you,” he murmured as he led her over to the couch and pulled her down next to him.

It had beenodd to see someone looking so much like Ries, and yet who carried himself so differently. Nicolai was a man in charge of his surroundings, and she’d only seen a glimpse of that character trait in Ries. She chalked it up to Ries being the youngest and needing more time to grow into his responsibilities.

Meeting Nicolai and having him talk to her gave her the appearance that he was truly listeningto her. When she woke up the second time in Ries’ arms, the light of day had brought about a new set of worries to her mind.

Ries came from a wealth she’d never even imagined and the thought of a future with him was overshadowed with doubts about acceptance and how she would ever fit into his lifestyle. A lifestyle that was as foreign to her as the language he spoke.

She had not decided if it was a risk she was willing to take or if she was going to play it safe and distance herself from Ries. The only man who had made her stop and think about the future.

“What are you thinking about?” Ries asked quietly.

“Your brothers. It didn’t sound like your oldest brother is very happy with you and I don’t understand why,” she told him, neglecting to share with him her worries over her place in his life.

“Damon is perpetually angry with me about something. He’s…” the ringing cellphone interrupted Ries.

Ries pulled it from his pocket and then grimaced, “Speak of the devil.”

Ries held her hand and said, “Stay with me. I might need your moral support.”

“Damon,” Ries greeted his brother on the video screen.

“What were you thinking, Ries?” Damon demanded. His expression was one of disarray.

“Well, I wasn’t intending to get shot, if that is what you are suggesting,” Ries answered with a trace of sarcasm and anger in his voice.

“You were asked to do a simple job - and involving yourself in a shootout at a public beach was not it.”