Miles Away (Carrion #1)(73)
With a cocky smirk, Miles asked Letty, “You do love me, right?”
Letty chuckled a bit before she answered. “That, Miles Capadonno, is a stupid question.”
Leading the way into the jewelry store, Miles approached the counter and nodded at Mr. Herschmann. Extending his hand, Miles greeted the man warmly.
“Mr. Herschmann, we spoke on the phone. I’m Miles.”
“Ah, yes. Mr. Cormack…”
Letty stared over at Miles at the mention of the name.
Cormack? Interesting.
“This is the woman I was telling you about. I am going to ask her to marry me,” Miles said as he looked back at Letty with a wink. Letty’s lips parted as a sharp breath escaped from her mouth. “Show her your most elegant pieces. Whatever she wants, she gets.”
“Okay, future Mrs. Cormack. If you come over to the parlor, I’d be happy to show you some of our best pieces. Mr. Cormack has made it very clear I am to cater to your whims.”
“My whims?” Letty asked as her heart raced in her chest. “Miles, I don’t need anything fancy.”
“You’ll get what you want. Don’t show her the price tags. Just let her pick the one she likes the best.”
Letty looked completely out of her element as the jeweler brought over a tray of platinum-band diamond engagement rings.
“I’ll be right over here if you need me,” Miles said with a smile as he went to stand by the door.
As Letty looked at the dozens of rings before her, and tried to find a way to narrow down her decision, Miles kept a close watch on the door. Letty didn’t notice though, because she was too busy trying to decide what she wanted. With so many beautiful choices to choose from, Letty’s head was spinning. Finally after forty-five minutes of indecision, Letty had made her decision.
“We have a winner!” Mr. Herschmann called out to Miles, who was still standing by the door. He almost looked like he was standing guard.
Miles smiled as he approached Letty and the jeweler. Letty pointed with her index finger to a simple but beautiful two carat princess-cut diamond set into an exquisitely detailed antique gold band. It wasn’t the most elaborate of rings, but it certainly wasn’t anything to scoff at either. The ring suited Letty, who wasn’t known for being flashy, and the antique band reminded Miles, they had a history together.
“Is that the one you want?” Miles asked as he looked down at Letty.
Letty nodded her head, eyes filling up with tears, as she replied, “Yes, Miles. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
“Great. Mr. Herschmann, I’ll be paying in cash. Do you have a box?”
“We won’t be needing a box, Mr. Herschmann,” Letty said slyly.
Miles raised an eyebrow at Letty as he laughed.
“Oh, no?” Miles asked.
“No. I won’t be taking it off,” Letty said in amusement.
“There you have it,” Miles said as he paid the bill.
“Best of luck to you both,” Mr. Herschmann said. “And when you’re ready to purchase wedding bands, come pay me a visit.”
“You got it,” Miles said as he dug his hands into his pants pockets.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Herschmann,” Letty said as she grabbed her purse off of the counter.
“Ready?” Miles asked as he rocked on his heels.
“Ready,” Letty said as she nodded.
A moment later, Miles and Letty walked out the door far happier than they were when they had walked in. As the door of the jewelry store swung shut, Letty grabbed the fabric of Miles’s t-shirt. Pulling him down to her level, Letty rushed Miles’s mouth giving him the most desperate and passionate kiss he had ever experienced in his life. As their lips parted, Miles smirked just slightly.
“As long as I have you, Letty. That’s all I need. You and G.”
“That’s exactly what you’ve got. C’mon. Time for bed,” Letty said suggestively, as she pulled Miles towards the revolving door of the casino.
“Mmmmm,” Miles said groaning in a guttural tone. “Your wish is my command.”
Pushing the revolving doors, Letty stepped out of the casino first, but it was Miles who saw the man step from the shadows of the garden. Pulling Letty behind him in a sharp jerk, Miles placed himself between Letty and the fast approaching man. Immediately, Miles recognized the man’s allegiance by the P tattoo on his neck.
“Can I help you, brother?” Miles asked as he spread his arms, making it hard for the man to pass him.
“Long way from home, ain’t ya, Capadonno?”
“Not really, Pena. Quick drive down the turnpike.”
Mark Pena replied with a bite, “I’m surprised you’d dare to step foot in AC.”
“I’m a free man. I can step anywhere I damn well please.”
“Had a chat with your old man recently.”
“Oh, yeah? Me, too. What did the old traitorous bastard have to say this time?”
“He don’t like you much, you know. Kind of f*cked up that a father is paying big money to have his kid killed.”
“What else is new? The bastard’s been trying to kill me for the last seventeen years,” Miles explained as he placed a hand on the back of his waist band. “I know you’re packing, and you should know, I’m packing double, and I never miss a shot. Move aside.”