Page 176 of High Reward

“Home. To my suite. Where I always go.” Lili’s expression is the picture of innocence, and Grace narrows her eyes like she doesn’t quite believe it.

I say nothing at all, and let my new wife wonder.

Chapter 49

Victor

“Idon’twanttoleave everyone,” Grace murmurs against my chest as we stand in my office getting ready to head for the airport.

“I know, sweetheart. But we’ll be back in two weeks, and it won’t even seem like we left. But we need to go because I have a surprise waiting for you in the limo.”

We said goodbye to everyone already, and the limo is waiting in the back lot.

She stands and smooths the front of her travel dress then grabs her purse. “OK. I’m ready.”

I grip her hand and take her through the kitchen to the back door where our driver is waiting to open the door to the limo. I nudge Grace to slide in first.

The squeal when she sees her surprise is worth it.

“Lili! He lied and said you weren’t coming.”

I climb in behind her and gently urge her to sit so we can leave. Lili just smiles coyly until we’re moving.

“I wanted it to be a surprise when Victor asked if I would join.”

“We can’t have a honeymoon with one of us missing, butterfly,” I say against her ear as I nibble her neck. “But there are some things you need to understand about the next two weeks before we get on the plane.”

She squirms against me and Lili slides a hand along her thigh.

“Is she ready to listen to us, Vic?”

“I am. I’m listening,” she says, already breathless.

“We’ll see,” I say, kissing her temple. “First I need to give Lili something.”

I reach into the overnight bag I had placed in the front of the limo and pull out a small gift box, wrapped in the same deep purple as tonight’s tie.

Lili raises an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“Open it.”

She peels back the paper with far more patience than Grace ever manages, and lifts the lid to reveal a delicate silver bracelet, two charms dangling from the chain. One is a faceted crystal, cut to catch light like ice. The other is a flame shaped in warm gold, soldered right beside it.

“Fire and ice,” I say, watching her turn it over in her fingers. “Because you’re both. Sharp enough to cut and warm enough to burn, sometimes in the same breath.”

Lili’s throat works, and for a second I think she might actually cry, which would be a first. “Victor.”

“Put it on.”

She does, and it sits against her wrist like it was made for her, because it was.

“I love it,” she says quietly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Just wear it.” I turn my attention back to Grace, who’s watching the exchange with a soft, slightly jealous look that has nothing to do with the bracelet itself. “Don’t worry, butterfly. You’re getting something too. Later.”

“Later when?”

“When we get where we’re going.” I tug her fully into my lap, ignoring her huff of protest. “Now. Ground rules for the next two weeks, since apparently you need reminding just how thoroughly you belong to both of us even with a ring on your finger.”