“We can’t,” he murmured against her mouth. “We need to take our time and do this the right way.”
To his relief, humor gleamed in her eyes in place of anger. “Do you think either of us is capable of that?”
“We better be or I’ll have a tribe of Dantes willing and able to take me apart.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“Are you saying you’re ready to wear my ring? To commit to marriage?” He didn’t need to hear her response. “No, I can see from your expression that you’re not.” He snatched a swift kiss, then set her firmly from him. “Come on. Let’s go upstairs. I need to change.”
He escorted her to his apartment and left her in the great room with its expansive view of the city while he disappeared in the direction of his bedroom to shave and change. He joined her a short time later and found her studying the 3D replica he’d made of the Diamondt building for his presentation to the family, along with a thick book of drawings and samples that detailed the various aspects of the renovation.
“This is gorgeous,” she marveled. “I love how you’ve melded their name with the updates to the building. Are these beveled diamond panes going to be made from leaded glass?”
“Good eye. There are a lot of leaded glass windows in the older homes in the Seattle area. Since this is an older building, it seemed to suit. We’re also planning an immense stained-glass window for the foyer.”
“I wish I could see it. I’ll bet it’s gorgeous.”
“We’re still negotiating the contract, so unless there’s a problem, I won’t be going up there until it’s ready to be signed. But next time I do, you’re welcome to accompany me.” Maybe it would even be as his wife, though he was careful not to say as much.
“Thanks. I just might take you up on that.”
She studied the building a final few minutes, a frown growing between her brows. That couldn’t be good.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I’d almost forgotten. It wasn’t until I saw this model and the Diamondt name that I remembered,” she murmured. She shook her head in annoyance. “It would seem you were right. That drug David gave me affected me more than I realized.”
Constantine studied her in growing concern. “What have you remembered?”
“Something David said about a diamond. I was going to ask you about it the minute I saw you.” She shuddered. “I hadn’t expected my escape to be quite so dramatic or frightening, or I would have thought of it sooner.” Her gaze shifted from the model to him. “Have you ever heard of a diamond named Brimstone?”
Figlio di puttana! He fought to keep his voice even. “You might say that. Are you telling me David knows about Brimstone?”
She nodded. “He seemed to think I should, too. In fact, he seemed certain that you either had it in your possession and used it to finance Romano Restoration…or you were marrying me in order to get your hands on it.” She tilted her head to one side, pinning him with her jade-green eyes.
“What is Brimstone, other than a fire diamond? And why is David d’Angelo trying so desperately to find it?”
“I suspect he’s desperate to find it because it’s worth somewhere in the neighborhood of ten million dollars.” Constantine shrugged. “Perhaps more. And to answer your other question, Brimstone is the reason your cousin, Lazz, and my sister, Ariana, married, sight unseen. To be honest, it’s a long story, and it occurs to me that we missed breakfast.” He gestured in the direction of the kitchen. “Why don’t we throw something together while I tell you about it.”
“Now that you mention it, I’m starving.” She followed him into the kitchen and took a moment to explore the generous area. Then she made herself at home, raiding the refrigerator. “Looks like you have ingredients for omelets. And maybe… Yup. Fruit salad?”
“Sounds disgustingly healthy.”
She held up a package of bacon and a small wheel of cheese. “Better?”
“Much.”
He pitched in to help cut and chop right alongside of her while bacon sizzled in the background. She gestured with her paring knife. “So, go on. You were going to explain about Brimstone. What is it? Where did it come from? David seemed to think it disappeared.”