Beneath These Lies (Beneath, #5)(84)

Worthy of her. That was my hope. I’d do my damnedest to prove it.

I clasped his hand. “Thank you, sir.”

When I turned to leave, I paused at the door. “You and Jo going to pretend to be surprised when we tell you about the baby?”

Noble’s smile transformed into a grin. “My first grandbaby? Damn right we’ll pretend to be surprised.”

“Good man.”

I walked out of the courthouse, the weight of my task off my shoulders and approval of Valentina’s father lightening my every step.

Damn, but life was sweet. Now to pick up the ring and get to the gallery for Valentina’s big night.




The crowd in Noble Art quieted as Valentina made her way to the center of the room. Her royal-blue dress hugged her curves and reminded me of the shirt she’d worn the night I’d taken her to the club. That had been six months ago.

Six long months of me continuing to sneak in through the back way, and no one being the wiser about our relationship except for a very select few close friends. Not Hennessy, though. He’d disappeared without a word after he resigned from the NOPD.

Sorting shit out and bringing the existence of the NODOs to an end had taken longer than I’d expected, but my woman hadn’t complained. As long as I found my way into her bed every night, that was all she’d cared about.

The delay had grated on me, though. A woman like Valentina wasn’t meant to be kept in the shadows. She was destined to be standing in the middle of an elegant gallery, surrounded by friends and family, a champagne flute in her hand and a smile on her face that came straight from the heart.

She was meant for nights like tonight, and I would make sure she had hundreds of them.

“Thank you all for coming.”

That smile of hers was wide and easy, hiding the trace of her nerves from everyone but me. I could see them in her, but I was proud as hell that she was doing this.

“Tonight is very special to me for several reasons. First, the gathering of friends and family is always a reason to celebrate. Second, tonight is a night I never thought I’d have the courage to see through. And finally, because tonight is about giving back to the community that I love.”

She reached for a cord attached to a black drape that separated the original gallery space from the newly remodeled other half of the building she’d taken over when the antique store had given up its lease a few months back. She’d waited months, refusing to take this step and host this event without me being able to be present. I’d protested, but there were certain arguments a man had to know were pointless to keep pushing.

“So without further ado, I give you Noble Art’s newest collection, Beauty and the City, offered for sale by me and Trinity Rodgers.”

With a tug of the cord, the drape slid to the floor, revealing a room with two distinct styles of artwork hanging on the wall. The crowd began to murmur in approval.

“All profits from the sale of these pieces will benefit the Teach Life Through Art program, offered to the children of this city at no cost by the New Orleans Museum of Art.”

The crowd clapped loudly, shrill whistles filling the air. I glanced toward the sound, and Elle Snyder had two fingers in her mouth as she blew. Her man, Lord, laughed and tugged her into his side, interrupting the whistle.

“Cheers to Valentina and Trinity,” I said, raising my glass high. “An amazing project to support an amazing cause, which is nothing less than I’d expect from such an amazing woman.” Glasses lifted in hands all across the room.

“To Valentina and Trinity,” everyone echoed.

Trinity held her glass of sparkling white grape juice in the air as well, then curtsied.

Remy gathered the blue curtain up from the floor as people crossed the room into the new section to view the pieces.

A hand clamped over my shoulder.

“You’ve significantly added to the courthouse docket, son.” When I turned to see Harold Noble standing beside me, he added, “Proud of your work, and congratulations on the promotion.”

Seeing approval in Valentina’s father’s eyes meant more to me than I could explain. She was close with both her parents, and being inducted as an honorary part of their family was something I hadn’t expected. Family. It was something I hadn’t had in years.

“Thank you, sir. I’m definitely excited for the next challenge.”

I’d accepted the position as head of the gang task force, which put all of the knowledge I’d gathered undercover to work in a more direct way. Being able to think like a gangbanger made it easier to take them down tactically, which put fewer officers at risk. It was still strange to be cleaning up the streets in such an overt fashion, but I didn’t miss living in the shadows.

My gaze wandered to Valentina. Especially not when it meant that I could see my duchess in all her glory.

Elle and Lord joined me and Judge Noble near the edge of the room.

“So, when are you going to make an honest woman out of her?” Elle asked.

Noble and I exchanged a sideways glance before he adopted an amused expression. “That’s an excellent question.”

Jo smacked his arm. “Shush, Harry. These kids will get around to it when the time is right.” She smiled at me. “You don’t listen to anything he has to say. He thinks that everyone should propose within weeks of meeting, and that when it’s right, you just know.” When I just smiled, she winked at me knowingly before adding, “I’m excited for a few grandbabies, though.”