Page 10 of Older Hotter Grumpier
There’s a flash of panic on her face and I flip open the box.
“I can’t wear that!” she protests, but goes to touch it anyway.
“Why not?”
“Everyone will think…” She licks her lips, leaving them shiny, and kissable. Or fuckable.
“Ella. I told you. I don’t date. Everyone will think whatever they like. This way, you’ll be convincing.”
“That’s… True.”
I pluck the ring out and toss the box aside, taking Ella’s small hand in mine. She stretches out her fingers and there’s a velvet silence as I slide the band onto her finger.
The relief when she accepts my ring is as strong as that time the Camden mafia stopped pulling my fingernails out. And when she twists her wrist so she can admire it, a pleased little smile twitching her lips, that’s magical.
“I love it. Thank you.”
“No more than what you deserve.” I should have been spoiling her twenty-four hours a day since we met.
She makes a modest, equivocal noise. “Where are we going?”
Ahhh.
I didn’t think this through.
“A charity event.” I wonder if I can avoid her meeting my brother? I can really do without him spilling the whole story of how we were penniless orphans, blah blah blah, climbed our way up from nothing, so dull. Sev and I control the parts of London most mafias consider beneath them. Ridiculous.
“Oh?” She peppers me with questions about the charity, which I evade. I’ve been her boss, the influential mafia boss. What will she think if she discovers I was a rejected kid, and I spend every Wednesday teaching art at my old school like an absolute sap?
Far too soon, we arrive at the upscale hotel I hired for the evening. There’s intimidation in Ella’s gaze as she takes in the impressive facade and bright lights, even before the flashes of paparazzi cameras pop.
“Are you sure about this?” she says in a tone of panic as I get out of the car and go to open her door. There is a crowd milling around outside the hotel, and she looks up at me when I block their view with my body.
My heart drops when I see her tugging at the engagement ring I gave her.
I’ve reached down and grabbed her hands in mine before I can even think. I want my claim on her finger.
“They’ll see it!” she hisses. “You’ll be dealing with the fall-out for eternity!”
I pull her out of the car, slamming the door behind her and trapping her with my body and arms braced on either side of her on the metal. I lower my head to her ear. “Let me worry about that.”
“I don’t think I can do this,” she whispers. “I’m not sophisticated and…”
I feel her shrug.
“You can, sunshine dragon. You can do anything.”
That doesn’t comfort her. She snorts.
“Do you trust me?” Because though I have my doubts as to the wisdom of this, the one thing I am certain about is that Ella is absolutely perfect for this situation and any other. She’s smart and beautiful and capable.
“Yes.” She doesn’t hesitate on that point. My heart expands painfully.
“Then don’t be nervous. Be my good girl, smile for the cameras, and stay by my side.”
A tiny whimper escapes her.
“Can you do that for me?”
