Page 45 of Wicked Throne

"Very. But Thierry and I have proposed working together. We're going to open The Deuce, but I'll be running it. He's going to bankroll it."

The girls looked at each other.

"I thought you hated him," Naomi said.

"Oh, I still do."

Liar.

Taking a breath I finished off the wine. "I'm getting him to trust me....and then I'll crush him and take back everything my father just thought to give away so carelessly."

"Can't yall just play nice?" Trey asked.

"Just cause you married his brother doesn't mean Thierry is suddenly a nice guy."

"I don't know," Trey winced. "He's been trying to plan how to give you the ultimate Christmas in New York."

"He what?"

She winced again. "Yeah, I overheard him and Enzo talking. Something about making peace with you and..."

The waiter arrived before I could fish for more details. I had had no intentions of doing anything else for the holidays. My club had burned down the night of Thanksgiving....the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate. I was too busy running through color schemes and lighting in my head, basically designing every nook and cranny of the new space. I didn't need any more festivities.

Once our brunch was over, I headed back to the jewelry store to go over some last-minute scheduling details. Business had started to pick up at The Magnolia Bloom, which I was happy about considering the extra money I wouldn't have from The Diamond.

As I opened the door, I heard someone call my name and turned to find Nathan behind me. A deep breath escaped from my lips as he followed me into the store. My sales girls looked up and I gave them a friendly wave before heading to the back where Nathan followed.

I shut the door to my office.

"Nathan, why are you here?"

"Something came over me...I wanted to see you."

"That's funny," I replied shedding my coat.

There was a coat rack nearby, that I placed my coat on gently. Tucking my loose hair behind my ears, I faced him. There were golden flecks in his amber eyes that use to drive me wild. I'd thought he looked liked a golden lion. Strong. Pretty. Protective.

"You need to go home to your wife, Nathan," I smiled.

He came in close and I knew he wanted to kiss me. Part of me wanted it too, the old part of me that I hadn't quite turned off. Sometimes it took years before feelings died. One day I hoped to be completely rid of them.

"But I'm here with you right now, Diamond. I want to be with you."

I'd had enough.

We would never be again. Even if I wasn't married to Thierry, the shit between Nathan and I had needed to stop. What would it have looked like if we'd said fuck it and had kids together? Had decided to get the big house and picket fence....yeah right. Society would have torn us a new ass hole.

"You need to go..."

My cellphone started vibrating and I halfway expected to find Thierry's face on the screen. Instead, I saw Nautica's face pop up. I groaned. What in the hell did she want? Looking between her face on my screen and Nathan's, I took the call. He smirked and put his hands up stepping away and leaning against the wall. He wasn't going to fucking leave.

Great,I thought.

Answering, "Hello, Nautica."

Her sobs hit my ears before I could get much else out of her. She sounded like she was in so much distress.

"Nau...Nautica. Take a breath. I can't understand you."