I lifted my head and looked him right in the eyes, seeing the honesty within him, before I divulged the one truth I’d never told anyone else. Not even my father. The man I trusted most in the entire world.
“Because the last time I escaped was after he raped me.”
Episode 22
Dinner for Two, Plus One
RUBY
The ring on my finger was the most beautiful thing I’d ever owned in my entire life. I kept staring at it, holding my hand out in front of me like a lunatic, watching the ruby and diamonds sparkle against the backdrop of the many casino lights.
Noah led me through the doors of a stunning resort called The Alexandra. The design was unique, with its white stucco walls and floors that mimicked cobblestone but were ultimately flat to walk on. Like a layer of glass sitting on top of a rocky floor to give the illusion of walking on something more earthy. There were water features that ran through the lobby and lush green foliage with blooming purple and blue flowers that I thought were called morning glories. Overall, the resort was elegant and comforting without being flashy and overly lit up like the other resort casinos I’d seen as we walked down the Strip.
“What are we doing here?” I whispered, keeping hold of Noah’s elbow as we moved deeper into the building.
“Have you eaten this evening?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I was too nervous before the auct— ”
Noah shifted in a flash, curling an arm around my waist, and bringing me flat up against his chest. He pressed a finger to my lips preventing me from finishing saying the word auction.
He frowned while his dark gaze met mine. “First rule of being with a Pennington—never air your business out in the open. If the media got wind of how you came to be with one of us, it could ruin everything. As you know, how we met wasn’t exactly conventional.”
A sense of apprehension and uneasiness tingled low in my belly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” I muttered, allowing the misery to sink deep within my veins.
Noah cupped my cheek. “No worries, love. Honest mistake.”
I swallowed down the cotton coating my throat and croaked out, “Yeah. It won’t happen again.” I searched his eyes for any hint of anger or regret that he’d chosen a stupid girl who wasn’t smart enough to keep her trap shut when it mattered most.
He smirked, adding a charming boyish smile, instantly melting the tension surrounding us.
“I have faith in you, Ruby.” He backed up, lifted my hand that held his ring, and kissed my knuckles.
“Brother, someone like you shouldn’t have to work quite this hard to gain an advantage over me.” Another English accent broke through our stare-off. Both Noah and I turned to see Nile standing several feet away.
Nile’s gaze was sharp and piercing, locked on the two of us, while the rest of him looked perfectly put-together and gorgeous as ever. With his hair swept back, his suit fitting like a glove, and those sexy glasses, he looked exactly like a hot college professor who all the young girls doted on.
“Brother.” Noah grinned as he dropped my hand and then put his hands in his pockets. “I remembered after we left Ruby earlier that I needed to take care of a little something we’d neglected to do before leaving our beautiful bride-to-be. ”
Nile adjusted his pristine suit coat, buttoning the jacket before clasping his hands in front of him. “Do tell?” He cocked an eyebrow, scrutinizing Noah with a look I did not want directed at me. Already his tone and stance were icy cold. I’d dealt with pissed-off rich guys in the past. Not that any of my regulars had the kind of money these brothers did, but it was never a good idea to be standing anywhere near an angry muscular man. Regardless of his poise and sophistication. Those things often flew out the window when a guy was raring for a fight.
Noah smiled even wider. “No Pennington intended should go without a proper engagement ring. So, I sought to fix the problem.”
Nile’s brow furrowed, and his gaze went to my left hand. He approached and held out a hand, gesturing for mine.
I lifted my hand and placed it on top of his.
Nile leaned close to the ring and looked intently at it while turning my finger from side to side. His cologne wafted in the air around us, and I inhaled the rich notes of wood mixed liberally with an earthy floral, vanilla, and patchouli scent that could only be a Tom Ford cologne. After sitting in a lot of men’s laps over the years, I knew my colognes.
“Tom Ford Noir,” I shared in a hushed tone.
Nile’s dark gaze flashed to mine from behind those expensive frames. “A discerning nose. Very good.” He smiled softly, and my heartbeat sped up, pride oozing through my bones as he continued to inspect my ring.