Page 64 of Coercion

“Check this out,” Noah says, pointing to the footage that’s still rolling. “See that, he pulled his hood off.”

I frown, staring at the figure in question. All of them are stocky, with muscles big enough to show through the dark padded gear they have on. They’re wearing balaclavas, but clearly one thinks he’s out of view and pulls his up to reveal his face.

We only get a side view, a glimpse at best. Noah hits the pause button and we all squint at the blurry image. For a second my breath catches. I blink, seeing the resemblance, seeing that same nose I know so well.

Surely not? Surely that’s a coincidence. Only, I don’t believe in them.

I snap a picture with my phone, send it to Nico, and start barking out orders. I need this shit sorted, I need everything cleaned up. We might have been caught with our trousers down but we’re not going to shout out about it for the entire city to hear.

It’s late by the time I get back. Ruby is in bed, but she’s awake with the lamp on like she was waiting for me. As I reach for her, she snuggles in with a contented, almost dreamy sigh, like she can’t imagine any place better than my arms.

God, this girl is too fragile, too delicate for someone like me.

“Did you miss me?” I ask, driving that thought away, cursing it, because she is mine. She is.

She nods. “And I did my homework.”

The words seem to linger between us. Oh, I know what she’s hinting at but right now I’m not concerned about fucking her, I need to hold her, I need to reassure myself that she’s here, in my bed, far from all the politics and people that would try to take her from me.

Far from the ghosts of her family too.

“Don’t worry about that tonight.” I say, taking in a deep breath, feeling that hint of jasmine hit my senses as she relaxes further into me.

And then I reach over, pick up the small box and place it on the covers in front of her.

She frowns staring at it for a second.

“What is it?” She asks.

“Open it and see.”

She lets out a tiny huff, that, if I didn’t know better, I’d think was annoyance at my reply, but she cautiously takes the velvet box, pops it open and then lets out a gasp so loud it could be a shriek.

“What do you think?”

It’s like she can’t form words. She just stares at the necklace, her fingers skating the huge diamond that’s glinting in the low light.

“You had one before.” I state, having done some digging and pulled up some old photos of her family. I was going to have them printed but it feels too much right now, especially with everything going on. “I know this won’t replace it but…”

“It’s a trilliant cut.” She breathes, talking over me in her sudden excitement, and I can hear the awe in her voice which tells me I chose well. Her old necklace was a smaller carat, pear cut, not nearly as fancy as this, though I know it had a deeper, sentimental value.

“You know your diamonds.” I murmur, stroking her hair with my hand.

She nods, with a slight smirk I swear that I enjoy more than I should. “Did you expect anything else from a Holtz?”

That makes me laugh. I ease out the chain and motion for her to lean forward so I can clasp it around her neck.

“You didn’t need to…” She begins but her fingers are there, touching it, like she can’t quite believe this moment is real.

“I did.” I reply. “You’re my wife, and a Holtz, you should be covered in diamonds.”

Her eyes meet mine and I swear for a second I get lost in that look. I pull her in, wrap my arms around her once more and she murmurs her thanks like she still thinks this is all some sort of a dream.

“You’re my wife,” I repeat. “Whatever you want, whatever you desire, you will have.”

Even if I have to kill to keep that promise, even if I have to break the world to ensure her happiness, I’ll do it.

I’ll do whatever it takes .