Page 68 of His Kingdom

“I thought you were leaving me,” I admit. “I didn’t like it.

“I’m sorry you thought that. But I’m not going anywhere,” she says. “I do need to borrow a computer, though. I need to get a resume together and find a job.”

“Charlotte, you don’t need a job.” I finally loosen my grip on her and walk over to the kitchen.

“I actually do,” she says from behind me.

I pull out two bottles of water from the fridge before handing one to Charlotte. “You own three casinos on this strip. You don’t need a job.”

“Youown casinos. I don’t own shit,” she argues.

“We’re married. What’s mine is now yours. We didn’t sign a prenup, sweetheart.”

Her eyes widen. “Well, that was really stupid of you. Jesus, Louie, what if I was some gold-digging hussy who just wanted to take half of everything you own?”

“You’re not, though.” I laugh.

“But you don’t know that. I could be.”

“Sweetheart, you’ve been arguing with me for the last couple of days about needing a job. You’re not a gold digger,” I remind her.

“Well, it was still stupid of you to get married without paperwork. And we can just sign some now. I don’t care.”

“I care,” I tell her. “This marriage doesn’t have a timestamp, Charlotte. There’s no need for a prenup because there isn’t going to be a divorce.” Before she can say more, I take hold of her hand and drag her over to the sofa. “I got you something today.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the small red box and open it.

Charlotte’s eyes go round. “Oh my gosh!” she gasps.

“I shouldn’t have married you without getting you a ring first,” I tell her. “We can make it up, you know. Have a redo. A big fancy reception. A destination wedding. Whatever you want.”

“I like the wedding we had. I don’t need anything else.”

I take the ring set out of the box and slide it onto Charlotte’s finger.

“How did you know the size?” she asks me. “Louie, this is beautiful.”

I lift a shoulder in a half-shrug. It’s a single, princess-cut, diamond solitaire. Three carrots. The wedding band is rose-gold and lined with several smaller stones to complement the one in the middle.

Charlotte looks up at me. “Thank you.” She smiles, then frowns. “Wait.” She jumps up, and I watch as she rifles through her bag before returning with a pen. “I don’t have a ring for you, but I’m going to get one,” she says, taking hold of my left hand.

“I don’t need a ring, Charlotte.”

“I want you to have one. How else will all the women know you’re spoken for?” she asks me.

“Because I’ll tell them.” I chuckle.

“Well, until I get to a store, this will do.” She proceeds to draw two lines around my ring finger before adding letters to the middle.

“CG?” I ask her.

“Charlotte Giuliani. Now everyone will know you’re mine.” She smiles.

Leaning forward, I press my lips against hers. “Everyone will know I’m yours because I’m going to scream it from the rooftops,” I tell her.

* * *

I open the door and step aside so Paulie can enter. “Thanks for coming.”

“No problem. What do you need?” he asks me.

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