Page 62 of Hard Corps (Selected Sinners MC 7)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Early Winter 2014, Austin, Texas, USA

“Do you have anything in white gold? I’ve never much cared for yellow gold,” I said as I gazed at the display of jewelry he had placed in front of me.

“We certainly do, it’s one case over, follow me,” he said as he reached for the jewelry.

After securing the bracelets in the display I followed him to the next case, peered down at the jewelry, and grinned. They were exactly what I had in mind. The thought of giving Katie a gift she could enjoy for a lifetime was exciting to me, and although I realized life offered no assurances, I had no reason to believe we wouldn’t be spending the rest of our lives together.

“Here are three that are my personal favorites,” he said as he placed three velvet-lined boxes on the glass surface.

I picked up the one in the center, studied it, and slid the box to the side. The diamonds were larger, had better clarity, and the bracelet appeared to be of slightly better quality than the others. “These are custom, correct?”

“That is correct, our jeweler hand-crafts them all,” he said with a nod. “That particular piece is 8 carats total weight. The stones are VS1 clarity and E color. We have less expensive pieces, but we do not have a better quality. If cost is something you’re concerned with…”

I found it unnerving that because of how I was dressed and that I rode in on a Harley he would find me less capable to purchase his jewelry than anyone else who would happen into his store.

“Did I mention cost?” I asked.

“No, Sir. You did not,” he said.

“I’ll take this one,” I said as I placed my hand over the bracelet I had set to the side.

I watched his Adam’s apple rise and fall as his eyes shifted downward and recognized which one I had chosen.

“That particular piece is $21,000. There will be state tax added, increasing the total to $21,650,” he said flatly.

“Put the others back in the case, I’ll take it. Do you take cash?” I asked.

He swallowed heavily again. “We certainly do.”

I nodded my head and lowered the pack from my shoulders. After checking over each shoulder and determining the store was still empty, I carefully lifted the pack to the counter. I wanted Katie to have something that would act as a constant reminder of my presence in her life, and it’s been said diamonds are forever. Nothing would make me happier than to see her pleasure from a gift I had chosen for her.

“Safe to count it here?” I asked.

He glanced over his shoulder, flipped a switch on the wall, and nodded his head. “Yes, it is.”

I counted 217 one-hundred dollar bills, placed them on the counter, and after his recounting and totaling the amount, he gave me fifty-dollars change.

“Would you like me to gift wrap it?” he asked.

I reached into my pack and removed a hand towel I had brought with me. “No, Sir. I’ll take care of that myself.”

After wrapping the box in the towel and placing it in my pack, I zipped the pack up.

“All secure?” he asked.

I pulled the pack over my shoulder. “Couldn’t be safer if it was in Fort Knox.”

He reached to the side and flipped the switch, deactivating the electronic door lock. “You’re free to browse the store if you like, or the door’s uple kissinglocked whenever you’re ready.”

“Appreciate it,” I said over my shoulder.

“My pleasure,” he said. “Glad we could be of service.”

I pushed the door open, paused, and turned to face the store. “Do you make custom rings as well?”

“We certainly do,” he said with a smile.

I nodded my head and turned away.

Good to know.

If things keep going my way, I may need one here pretty soon.