Had Will stole it from her mother's body and kept it all this time? Where did he keep it?
Jordyn didn't dwell on that thought for long. She simply plucked up the plain gold band and slipped it down her index finger for safekeeping.
The final item cemented all of Jordyn's tumultuously confused thoughts.
It was a note, scrawled in the same handwriting as the check.
Our apologies, it read.
Freedom is never free.
Jordyn didn't quite realize how true that was until she stared at two words that meant nothing at all to her, and absolutely everything at the same time.
• • •
Jordyn barely managed to subdue her agitation as she waited for the elevator to take her up to the highest floor of the hotel. She wasn't sure why she was sent here with a black velvet box in her possession, but it was Antony's request she do a quick run for him before the party.
All dressed up, heels on, hair pinned back in waves of curls, and her makeup flawless.
Why it couldn't just wait until Monday, she didn't know.
Sighing impatiently, the moment the elevator dinged and opened to the top floor, Jordyn was slipping out between the spreading doors and hurrying down the hall to find the room number. She was much more interested in seeing Lucian, whenever in the hell that was supposed to happen tonight, than delivering this stupid package.
Jordyn almost wanted to open the small box just to know what was inside and if it was really that important. She didn't, though. Somehow, Antony would know she did and he wouldn't be pleased. Jordyn wasn't into invading other people and their privacy, anyway.
Finally, she found the correct room at the very end of the hallway, a Do Not Disturb sign hanging off the doorknob.
Too bad, Jordyn thought.
She didn't have time to wait for whoever was inside to wake up from their nap, fuck session … or whatever. Knocking just hard enough on the door to be annoying, Jordyn smirked as she heard footsteps behind it.
When the door swung open, Jordyn nearly stumbled back on her three inch heels in surprise at the smiling face staring back at her. She almost dropped the box she was holding, too.
"Good evening, sweetheart. Have you missed me?"
Lucian looked amazing in his form-fitted, black tuxedo with the navy blue vest and tie to match her evening gown. She choked on words trying to tumble out of her chest as she took an inventory of him one more time. Nothing was different about him, but for the slight stubble he usually kept shaved clean. Glinting hazel eyes still regarded her like she was the most important thing to grace his presence.
"Yes, I've missed you," she finally managed to get out. "I've been waiting for you all day."
Lucian laughed. "God, how I've missed you, bella mia."
Those words were all the encouragement Jordyn needed. She flew into his embrace, practically knocking Lucian back inside the hotel room from the force. The fresh scent of his soap mixed with whatever cologne he was wearing soaked into her senses like it as a drug. Just being held by him was a high she couldn't quite comprehend.
Instantly, his hands found her jaw, cupping gently to tilt her face up so their lips could meet. Jordyn vaguely registered the door being kicked shut as his tongue dove into her mouth and those hands of his wandered down the sides of her dress over the jeweled bodice and the empire waist.
She lost herself in the kiss, her body reacting to his closeness and touch by heating up from her middle and spreading outwards fast and swift. When he reluctantly pulled away, she giggled quietly while cleaning the red lipstick from his mouth.
"You look so beautiful, it'll be a shame when this gown meets the floor tonight," Lucian breathed against her cheek, grinning. "Cecelia did well picking the dress. She didn't torture you much, did she?"
"Yes," Jordyn mumbled, nodding. "It was awful."
"But you enjoyed it … "
Jordyn scowled playfully. "A little. I didn't realize this was going to be such a big deal. I already feel out of place and I haven't even made face with you, yet."
"Don't be ridiculous," Lucian said darkly. "You fit perfectly at my side. Why would you be worried about that?"
Shrugging weakly, Jordyn replied, "I'm not a trust fund baby or a hand-me-down-riches kid, Lucian. We're talking Ivy League, high-society, and lifestyles of the rich and famous. I've never even worn a gown before, and that includes graduation, considering I didn't go. It makes me nervous. What if I screw up or say something stupid?"
"What, like hello?" Lucian asked sarcastically. Then, he shook his head, staring her straight in the eyes with one of those piercing gazes that rooted her in place and kept her from moving or saying a word. "I don't care much about the people you'll meet tonight. No one does, really. They like to think everybody cares about them, but that's a problem they have to someday handle on their own. Besides, we'll give them something to gossip about other than themselves for once. Who knows, maybe it'll be humbling for them."
"You're awful," Jordyn teased.
"I'm aware." Lucian pressed another feather light kiss to her mouth. "Seriously, don't work yourself up over those people. Smile and enjoy the night. That's really all that matters."
Jordyn had another thought, one that sent sadness spinning into her heart. "Are you coming home with me tonight, or do you have to stay away again?"
"You did hear me say it'll be a shame when your gown comes off, right?"
Heat pinked Jordyn's cheeks. "So you are?"
"I've missed my bed, and you in it," Lucian replied gruffly.
"Does that mean they know who is trying to hurt you?" she asked.
Lucian snorted. "Kill, not hurt. And I'm not sure, but I gave Antony the two weeks he wanted. If he hasn't figured it out yet, I certainly will. I doubt I'll be as nice as he's been about it."
A shiver crawled up Jordyn's spine. "I don't like the sound of that."
"Tough. I'm still coming home. I won't keep hiding. I have a life." Lucian smiled and added, "We have a life we're only starting together. I'd like to get back to it."
"I wasn't going anywhere, Lucian."
"Oh, I know, sweetheart."
"Mmm, you have been watching, haven't you?"
Lucian shrugged. "I couldn't be far from you for long."
Jordyn remembered the box she still held and tried to hand it over. "From your father."
"Actually," Lucian said in that cocky way of his, " … it's from me for you. I had him pick it up when it came in a few days ago. I wanted you to have something from me tonight to wear with your gown. Go on, open it."
Not entirely sure what to expect, considering the last gift she revived from a Marcello that came in a box like this was thousands of dollars' worth of diamonds, Jordyn took a breath and opened the box. For a moment, she didn't look down, not wanting to be overwhelmed again by jewelry she couldn't ever afford on her own.
"Look at it, sweetheart. I promise it's not pretentious and you'll love it."
Trusting him, she finally regarded the gift. A single strand of white pearls with matching earrings rested inside the box. Between every globe was a tiny diamond separating the pearls. The piece wasn't ostentatious at all. In fact, it was delicate and simple in design and very much to her taste had she been the one to pick it out. She hadn't even given thought to her jewelry for the night, and it was one thing Cecelia didn't bother to mention.
Now Jordyn understood why.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, still awed. "Thank you."
"You're more than welcome. It felt like you. I wondered how they would look on you. May I?" Lucian asked, waving at the pearls.
"Yes, please."
Carefully, Lucian removed the pearls from their case and under his urging, Jordyn turned so he could place the strand around her throat. Warm fingers ghosted along the expanse of her neck as he clasped the back of the necklace closed before releasing the jewelry and kissing the side of her neck. He let her put the earrings in herself, refusing to remove his lips from her throat all the while.
Jordyn sighed into the kiss. "Yeah, I definitely missed you."
"Love me, too?"
"Of course."
"Good," Lucian murmured as his arms wrapped her frame once more. "And I know you're worried about tonight, but you really shouldn't be, Jordyn. Money might give people all the control and power in the world they can buy, but it doesn't give them what's most important. Designer dresses doesn't give a woman beauty if she's not amazing in her heart. Diamonds won't give her dignity if she has no good in her soul. Education doesn't make a man worthy. A last name won't garner someone respect unless they can work for it. Those are things we earn by being who we are. You are wonderful. I wouldn't want anyone else to stand with me tonight while I celebrate my mother."
Oddly, those words were all Jordyn needed to hear to make the nerves disappear.
• • •
"Buon compleanno, Mamma," Lucian murmured in his mother's ear as he came up behind her, wishing her a happy birthday.
Antony met his son's gaze and smiled, pride shining through strongly. "Good to see you, son."