Page 57 of Dark Seduction
I chuckle, glancing at her briefly before focusing back on the road. "Now, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore, would it?"
The city lights pass by, a blur of illumination as we drive through the bustling streets, the night laid out before us like a promise.
We pull up in front of a jeweler's shop, the soft glow of its elegant storefront lighting up the early evening. Dalia looks out the window, her expression shifting from curiosity to shock as she recognizes the place.
She gasps, her eyes wide as she turns to me. "What are we doing here?"
I flash her a reassuring smile, my confidence unwavering. "I think it's time for Claude to make amends," I tell her. "He's got some things that rightfully belong to you, and we're here to get them back."
Dalia looks unsure, her gaze flickering back to the store. I reach over and take her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"Trust me," I say, looking into her eyes. "I've taken care of everything."
After a moment's hesitation, she nods, placing her trust in me. Together, we step out of the car, our steps synchronized as we approach the entrance.
Chapter 25
Dalia
"I’m not sure about this."
We pause just outside the store, the gleaming display windows inviting, but daunting. I turn to Lev, the uncertainty clear in my voice.
He gives me a knowing smile. "I understand why you’re nervous," he reassures me, "but trust me, when it's over, you'll be glad you did it."
Despite my reservations, something about his assurance makes me feel like I can indeed trust him.
"I've also arranged a private viewing of the latest from Claude’s collection—some very rare pieces."
"OK," I reply, drawing a deep breath to steady my nerves. “Just… you’re not going to kill him, are you?”
He laughs. “Not part of the plan. What I have in mind is a little more subtle than that.”
He holds the door open for me and together we step inside. The interior of the store is every bit as fancy as I remember, withluxurious displays of expensive jewelry that sparkle under the sophisticated lighting.
As I admire the pieces around us, I lean closer to Lev and whisper, "While Claude did steal some of my designs, it's not as though he doesn't have talent of his own."
As I wander through the aisles of glittering jewelry, my eyes are drawn to a particularly stunning diamond engagement ring.
It's a breathtaking piece, with a large, brilliant-cut diamond set in a delicate platinum band, encrusted with smaller pave diamonds that catch the light with every subtle movement.
The sight of the ring stirs something within me. Lev had mentioned that he was planning to propose, but for some reason he hasn't yet.
Lev, noticing my lingering gaze, comes over and asks softly, "Is there anything that's caught your eye?"
I shake my head. "No," but the quick, knowing glance he gives me suggests he saw me staring at the ring.
As I take in all the glittering pieces, my stomach drops. Across the room sits a display that's unmistakably familiar. My steps quicken as I head over, heart pounding. Laid out before me are my designs, my creations, showcased as if they belong to someone else and priced like treasures.
Lev comes over, his brow furrowed as he looks at the display.
"Are these yours?" he asks.
"They sure are. And look at the price tags. Claude always brushed them off, said they weren’t worth much." I can’t hide the bitterness in my voice.
Lev’s jaw clenches as he takes it all in, his displeasure evident.
Before we can hash it out further, a voice calls out, overly cheerful and way too familiar.