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Griffin shot a scathing look at Reese, and then turned back to Maylee He took a swig of his chalass down He took her hand in his and noticed it was tre I’ve never told anyone else" He paused, then exhaled slowly "I’min a secret society All of us are"

Her brorinkled together "Um, okay"

He waited

"Is that all?"

"It’s very secret," he stressed "It could ruin us financially if it got out Six billionaires working together would ated by every tax auditor in this country"

"Okay," she said, still giving hiht this was souys don’t sacrifice kittens, I think I can handle it"

"Only on holidays," Gretchen joked, but Audrey shushed her

He squeezed Maylee’s hand "That information cannot leave this roo you with?"

She nodded "I do Thank you"

Griffin smiled at her "But that wasn’t what I asked you here for"

Her brows dren again "It’s not?"

"No" He looked over at Audrey

She smiled and hurried forward, her loose blouse just barely hinting at her rounded pregnant stomach She disappeared down the hall and returned with a small silver tray and a man at her side, who held a ca to herself He took the box from Audrey, and then turned to Maylee The box was velvet and oblong and she’d probably recognize the shape--inside it were the Verdi Emeralds "You wore these once before, at the ball in Bellissi honking earrings and a necklace"

He chuckled "Those are the ones There’s another piece that goes with this set, though, and I want you to have it"

And he opened the box and pulled out a ring

It wasn’t the s Like the rest of the Verdi Emeralds, it was very old, square cut, and surrounded by tiny dia

Maylee’s eyes widened into saucers, just as the ca "What is this, Griffin?"

"That," he said, gesturing at the photographer, "is aon a news article to send home to Bellissime about you and I" He looked back at her, and then dropped to one knee "Maylee"

"Oh," she breathed, frozen in place in front of hian

"Glad to hear hiround

He ignored her "And I know you worry that I think you’re not good enough for me So I wanted you to kno much I value you These people in this room are the only family that have ever mattered to me I stay in the States not because I don’t love my country, but because my family--my real fa out to her "And you’re the most beautiful, most worthy wo anyone this ring until Iat the photographer "Why is he here again?"

Griffin leaned in andto be splashed on a dozen Bellissime papers as the American who captured a viscount I do hope you don’t mind the invasion of privacy, but I wanted people to know that ere getting married, because I’m rather proud of my woman"

Her face blossoer at him in that sexy way that made his heart flip and his ck ache

As he stepped forward, she gave an undignified squeal and ju in bed, after all the celebrations wound down, Maylee curled her fingers in Griffin’s happy trail and felt incredibly content The rock on her finger eighing her entire hand down, and it was a rather ugly cuss of a ring, but it ed to Griffin and so she loved it