Page 56 of Beastly Armory
Sitting back, I casually cross my legs and lay my arms on the sides of the chair, placing my chest on full display. Tony’s eyelids lower, as if he likes what he’s looking at.
“And what would you desire from me?”
The man grins like the Cheshire Cat, and I know without a doubt that Max is ready to jump across the desk at him.Pleasehold it together, lion.
“My father was a jewel man. It’s how we made our money. We were in possession of two exceedingly rare gems. They were perfect in quality, cut from the same stone. Legend has it that each half was made for two lovers, each taking a piece with the other. I always had a penchant for them; must run in my blood. Your mother liked them, too. I gave her one of those rings when I proposed, while I kept the other. They are the only two in the world. I want it back. It was?—”
Closing my eyes tightly, I try to stop the words from coming out of his mouth, not wanting to hear any more. “I know which ring it was. The purple sapphire?”
“Yes. Did she mention it?”
As if I died and am just returning to life, my pulse thuds back after a pause with a strong, forceful pace. “She willed it to me.” There’s no way. She willed that ring to me. It was the only thing she loved, and now I understand why. She was pining for Tony. That ring was her mental escape from my father, dreams she must have lost. Sometimes I would catch her staring at it in her room with tears in her eyes, seemingly in a faraway trance. Sheonce told me it was a family heirloom, and I hadn’t pressed her more about it, figuring she missed her childhood in the countryside. Tony gave the ring to her with love. It was hers, the only thing that wasn’t tainted with Von Dovish blood.
“Wait, all you want is a ring?” Max relaxes fully, as if he’s found an easy solution to a problem. My ire raises at his callousness, not even bothering to discuss things with me before speaking.
Tony peers at him. “Yes. I mean, I wouldn’t say no to an evening with Yvette’s daughter…” Tony gives me a wink, and I cross my arms. Darting his eyes back to Max, Tony smiles at him smugly. “But I have a feelingyouwould have something to say about that.” He chuckles. “Besides, Yvette wouldn’t have liked it.”
“Do you know where it is?” Max’s black waves fall in his face as he turns to me, and I want to slap his cheek. Getting that ring is out of the question. It ismine. It was hers. It’s the only thing my mother had that was her own, and now it’s the only thing I have of her.
Both men stare at me, awaiting my reaction, and all I can do is nod my response.
“Oh, well! That’s easy! Done. When do you want it by?” Max asks Tony.
My mouth falls open in outrage, heat rising to my cheeks and out of my mouth. “We willnotbe giving it away! Yougaveit to her!”
Tony’s long fingers spread before he drums them on his desk. “Yes, but I collect jewels. I gave it toher, not the Von Dovish clan.”
“She gave it tome. It was the only thing—” Snapping my lips closed, I stop myself. It feels like I’m going to lose this battle. Memories of my mother caring for me tenderly as a child flood my mind while picturing her with that ring in her jewelry box... Finally, my voice squeaks out, speaking only to Max. “I’m so sorry, lion. I can’t.”
He looks perturbed, his brows lowering as he purses his lips. As if strategizing a plan, he asks Tony, “You said there are two rings. Where’s the other one?”
Placing an arm on either side of his chair, Tony rocks back. “It was stolen years ago by a very crafty jewel thief. I heard one of my acquaintances from Appleton City may have bought it from him. But I don’t think the new owner would give it up for anything. Not even for a turn with Miss Von Dovish, despite her overwhelming beauty.”
“Appleton City. Who?” Max asks. Maybe he’ll let it go. I stay still, as if moving will cause this quest to get even worse than it already is. Can I trust that Max won’t try to steal it from our estate?
“A collector. I only know him as Zayne. He owns a museum, but we supply his guns. I’d be happy to divert that flow toyou, Mr. Freidenberg, if you bring me Yvette’s purple sapphire. Perhaps you can convince your lover here to give it up.”
Downing his bourbon, Max clears his throat and responds confidently. “Yep. I’ll get you the ring.”
“What?! I didn’t agree to that.” My spine snaps into a straight line as I sit up.
“I’ll get you that ring.” Max nods at Tony, the two ignoring me completely.
Speaking over me, they continue their conversation. “Thank you, Mr. Freidenberg.”
“Call me Max. I’ll bring it back to you.”
“No, you won’t!” My voice is almost a scream.
Max’s firm hand grabs me by the bicep, pulling me to a stand. While he’s dragging me out of the office, I yell at Tony over my shoulder. “No, he won’t!” But the man’s handsome face just darkens as he gives me a sly half smile.
“Shut the fuck up,” Max growls low in my ear, the sound causing ripples in my system of hating and tingling at his tenor. Shoving me out onto the front porch, the guards open the car doors for us. Max continues to push me into the driver’s seat forcefully and jostles me inside. Leaning into the car, his large body hovers over me as he places his face inches from mine. “Shut the fuck up, Livia. I got this one. You stay out of it.”
IknewI couldn’t trust him. This is the entire reason I hadn’t let him inside me. Emotionally or physically. “You willnotsteal my mother’s ring,” I say, venom spewing from my lips. When he doesn’t move, my eyes look past him and out the windshield. Quietly, I say, “It’s the only thing I have from her that’s mine, and I’m keeping it.” Sneaking my fingers in my front pocket, I rub my charm three times. It doesn’t feel so lucky anymore.
Max snorts. “Who knew Livia Von Dovish, mistress of pain, would be so sentimental over a fucking ring.” He reaches to grasp the hand in my pocket, but I pull it outquickly and snatch his. His fingers stroke the object. “Is that it? Is that the ring?”
Speaking through my clenched teeth, I tell him, “No. And take your fucking hand off me.”