Page 61 of Debt to the Mafia King

“That would spoil the surprise now, wouldn’t it? Wear something comfortable. I’ve already arranged for clothes to be waiting for us when we get there.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Ok.” Heading towards the bathroom door, I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Thank you, Viktor.”

He didn’t say anything. He just smiled.

Little things made me happy,things that meant people had listened to what I said and paid attention. It was one of the reasons I never knew what to do with random gifts.

What Viktor arranged wasn’t little, by any means, but it proved that he had listened last night, and I don’t think I had ever been so happy or so emotional.

“Viktor.” Looking out the limo’s window, I felt tears prickle behind my eyes as the huge grey stone building slid into view, and I realized where we were. “Viktor, this is too much.”

From the leather seat next to me, he chuckled. “So the private jet and designer dress were fine, but tickets to the ballet are too much?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t hope to explain it, but it was. The private jet and the sleek black dress were great, but I wasn’t the type of woman who liked the grander things in life. I liked simplicity and beauty.

It was just that in my life, up until recently, there hadn’t been time for them because I’d always had to work to survive.

“Are you crying because you are sad or because—”

Twisting in my seat, I surged forward, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that I hoped showed him exactly what I was feeling.

After a second, he curled his hand under my hair and opened my lips with his. His tongue invaded my mouth, lapping at me. Drawing a needy little moan from my lips.

“Happy,” I whispered as he pulled away slightly.

“Good.” One curt nod, and he straightened. “I have one more thing to give you. Now I know you don’t usually like jewelry, but this isn’t some random piece.” From a pocket of his suit jacket, he produced a blue velvet box.

I eyed it suspiciously. “I don’t need—”

He opened it, and the air left my lungs in a whoosh. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all. There was beauty in its simplicity.

“It belongs to my wife, and I should have given it to you beforenow.” Gently, he slid the single teardrop diamond necklace around my throat.

“It’s beautiful, Viktor.” Nervously, I pressed my fingers to it.

Back in my old life, before I had met him, I’d had some costume jewelry, but even that had been a push for my finances.

Never in a million years did I ever think I would have something so exquisite.

“It was my mom’s.” Bending, he pressed his lips to the hollow of my throat, and my heart sped up. “And her mom’s before her. If she’d had a daughter, it would have been hers, but she only had me, and I want my wife to have it.”

“Oh, Viktor.” I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him again.

It was my turn to be hungry for him.

And it was his turn to untangle me when I tried to climb into his lap. Holding me by the shoulders, he pushed me away slightly.

“Leah,” he said my name like a prayer. “You either keep kissing me like that or we go and watch this ballet. It’s the Nutcracker. That’s your favorite, right?”

It was my favorite, but I’d only mentioned it briefly last night.

I nodded but didn’t get to say anything because the driver opened the door, and a hand reached in to help me out. Viktor followed close behind. I stared at the driver and frowned.

I didn’t know him. Usually, when we were out in public, we had security with us. At least, I did. But I had never seen this man before.

Then again, we were in a new city. Our usual security would be waiting for us back home.

Our usual security, when had I started thinking all of this was normal for us?