Page 59 of Her Wicked Husband (The Huxleys #2)

Bryce

“Gotta say, I’m a little surprised you wanted to see me.”

I take the seat opposite Harvey at Merry. He already has a steaming coffee in front of him. I order an iced Americano and ask the server to prepare a box of desserts. Fiona’s been craving a lot of sweets.

“How’s your wife doing?” he says, crossing his legs. His expression is relaxed, but his eyes are sharp.

Just thinking about how she looked when I found her makes my blood boil, but I maintain a cool, indifferent smile. “Could be better.”

He makes a small noise in the back of his throat. “In case you’re wondering, it wasn’t me.”

“I’m not.” Harvey’s too methodical and rational to go after Fiona.

Mom, on the other hand, is another matter.

When it comes to family, she’s unable to think straight because she’s so hung up on how she isn’t part of it anymore—how she was robbed of her children. “Did Mom have anything to do with it?”

“Not sure, but…” He shakes his head. “Nah, probably not. Idiots like those two? She would’ve picked somebody more capable.”

I take a sip of the icy coffee placed in front of me. “Don’t you have spies?”

“Sure. But I can’t have her watched twenty-four seven. ”

Doubtful. He just doesn’t want to show all his cards yet. “Fiona’s pregnant.”

He uncrosses his legs and sits up, but there’s no surprise in his eyes. He probably heard already. Likely has spies at the hospital too. Not that I’m upset about that. You can’t hide a pregnancy, and sooner or later, Harvey would’ve found out anyway.

“Is she, now?” he says.

I nod, trying to decide how I’m going to use him to fulfill my promise to Fiona. I vowed that Jude and Aaron would stay in prison for life, but that isn’t likely based on the state penal code. And in any case, it’s not enough.

I’d take care of them myself, except I need to stay pristine for my wife and our unborn baby. But there are other ways to get what I want.

“Yup. Got a sonogram.” I pull it out of my pocket and show it to him.

Greed flares in his gaze. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t tried to break into the doctor’s office to grab a copy. I thought he’d read over the OB-GYN’s files already. He reaches for it.

I pull it back. I was going to show him the sonogram, then throw in a handwritten note as a bonus, but I guess that won’t be necessary.

His eyebrows snap together. “What’s this supposed to be?”

“You know what it is. Want it?”

“You offering it?”

“Aren’t you planning to steal it?”

He sits up straight. “You think I’m a common criminal?”

“Don’t answer my question with another question, Harvey.”

“Of course I want it. It’s my first grandnephew.”

“Might be a grandniece.” My heart is already melting at the idea of having a baby girl with Fiona’s eyes and spirit.

“Whichever. Children are precious. Yours in particular.” His eyes flash with calculation.

“Vincent would be thrilled to…you know.” I wave the black-and-white photo.

A corner of Harvey’s mouth quirks. “Do tell.”

I study my uncle. He’s so happy, it’s disgusting. It reminds me of Mom, professing love for me and my brothers as she tried to kidnap us. In some ways, Harvey and Mom are too much alike—nothing but self-interest at heart.

It irritates me that I have to use my unborn child as a lever, but if I don’t seize the opportunity, the Dunkels will take matters into their own hands.

I doubt it’ll end with just breaking into the doctor’s office and stealing medical records.

Harvey and Mom can’t remain civilized for long, not while half of Nesovia’s organized crime is at stake.

This way, I’m in charge of what happens and can extract concessions from Harvey.

Aaron and Jude will pay for what they did.

Harvey sticks his hand out, palm up. “I answered your question.”

“You can have the sonogram. And a signed affidavit from me saying it’s real. But there’s a quid pro quo.”

He leans back, his eyes narrowing. Now I’m speaking his language. “Aren’t you doing this to fuck your mom over?”

“No. But even if I were, you hate her more. I’m giving you a chance, Harvey. Vincent probably needs something to cheer him up in his old age. Just imagine if you could present him a sonogram of his first great-grandchild. What it would do for your prospects?”

His eyes are fully hooded now. “You know what it would do.”

I nod. “We both do. So earn it. Be a dutiful son to your father, taking care of the family. Be a good uncle to me and Fiona.” I hold his eyes. “ Twice .” I chug down the rest of the coffee and stand. “Thanks for the Americano.”

I leave the café behind. Harvey’s a smart man. He’ll figure out what he has to do.

I stop by Sebastian Jewelry on the way home, but don’t see anything appealing. Irritating. Harry Winston doesn’t have anything that screams Fiona’s name either. It shouldn’t be this hard to get something sparkly for my wife, should it?

I head to Peery Diamonds, hoping the store has something. The clerk smiles at me. “Good afternoon. Anything special in mind?”

“No. I just feel like my wife deserves something pretty.” A small grin tugs at my mouth as I think about Fiona.

The clerk obviously approves. “Mmm, romantic. ”

“Well, she deserves it.” I smile. “How about a marquise- or princess-cut diamond, ideally ten carats or bigger?”

“Certainly. This way.” She leads me to one of the private rooms. It’s cozy without appearing small, and the leather couch is quite comfy. I stretch my legs out as she places a dark velvet tray with several rings on the glass-top table in front of me. “These are some of our best items.”

My eyes skim over the rings—pretty, but nothing exceptional…

Wait…!

My heart pounds. This is it! I lean forward. “That one.” I point to a gorgeous marquise-cut red stone.

“An excellent choice. Red is the rarest of the colored diamonds.” She picks it up with a gloved hand and lifts it to the light, letting the exquisitely cut stone sparkle.

The shade matches the roses in the garden.

“It’s a little small, however. Slightly under eight, but I thought you might appreciate the quality and rarity.

” She turns the piece slowly, showing me the whole ring.

“The stones on the French pavé band are clear diamonds, round brilliant, 1.1 millimeter in diameter each.”

“Perfect. I’ll take it.”

She smiles, then prepares a purchase agreement. A little over eight million. Not too bad for a ring this perfect for my wife.

I have my banker deal with the payment with the clerk and leave with the ring, then pick up a case of the sparkling pear and peach juice Fiona has been addicted to since getting pregnant.

When I get home, she greets me lying prone on the couch, eyes hazy with sleep. “Did you nap?” I ask, then place a kiss on her soft mouth.

She nods. “I’m constantly sleepy.”

“Good. You need the rest.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sleeping my life away. I’m pregnant, not a hibernating bear.”

“Who cares? Do what you like.”

She looks at the glossy bags hanging from my wrist. “Are those for me?”

“Desserts from Merry, along with your sparkling pear and peach juice.”

Her eyes wide, she sits up and hugs me. “You’re the best. How did you know I was craving them? ”

I laugh. “Because you crave them every day.” I kiss her forehead tenderly.

“The baby craves them,” she says, even as she greedily eyes my gifts.

I chuckle. “Of course. How thoughtless of me.”

Grinning, she starts to pull out the miniature sweets. Before she opens the box, I gently grasp her left hand and drop to one knee. The smile on her lips fades slowly as she looks at me.

“Fiona. You’re the rose that makes my heart sing. The beautiful thing I’ve been searching all my life to brighten every day I live. I love you more than I can express. Will you marry me?” I open the lid.

Her gaze drops to the ring, then back to my face, her jaw slack. “Thank you…? But… We’re already married… Aren’t we?”

I smile. “Yes…but you deserved a better proposal. I want to replace that old, ugly memory with a beautiful new one. Will you let me?”

She cups the back of my neck and presses her forehead on mine. “Every time I don’t think I can love you more, you prove me wrong. Yes. And yes.” She kisses me. “Yes forever.”