The guard behind him forcefully clears his throat, and Eugene jumps slightly. He checks left and right before leaning in closer and lowering his voice. “Ah, may we come in? It’s much safer to explain the purpose of my visit while inside your suite.”

My eyes fall to the heavy briefcase, but still, I don’t move to let him enter.

Sensing my reluctance, he passes off the briefcase to one of the guards with clear instructions to hold on to it carefully. Then he extracts a pristine business card from his wallet and holds it out for me.

I inspect it as if looking for some kind of counterfeiting measures, but it hardly proves anything, as if criminals wouldn’t have access to paper this luxurious. Big deal?

I peer back up, and Eugene smiles gently. Then against my better judgment, I unlock the door and open it wide for them.

It’s stupid of me to allow them in. I’ve watched all the crime shows on Netflix. I’m well aware that this could be some elaborate ruse to kidnap me and demand ransom, but my intuition says it’s not, and I find out quickly enough that I’m correct in recognizing their true intent.

Eugene walks over to the small dining table in my suite and places the briefcase on top of it. Then he clasps his hands in front of him and turns back to me. “I appreciate your hospitality, and I assure you this shouldn’t take too long, though that depends on a few things.” He taps the top of the briefcase. “I have here a collection of stones for you to look over. Mr. Mercier insisted you are to have your pick of any of them, and if none of the stones I brought with me today meet your standards, I can set up an appointment for you to visit our showroom here in the city.”

Dumbfounded, I merely nod.

He turns toward the briefcase and discreetly keys in a combination before producing a silver key from his pocket. Once both locks are disengaged, the briefcase pops open, revealing a black velvet tray with two dozen stones evenly spaced in four neat rows. Though they vary in type—diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires—they’re all absolutely enormous.

“I’ve gathered for you today a collection of heirloom stones as well as uncut gems, and I assure you once you pick your favorite from among them, our masters at Leclerc & Co. will get right to work on customizing your one-of-a-kind engagement ring.”

I step closer and peer down into the briefcase, momentarily mesmerized by the light bouncing off the gems. The contents of this briefcase could fill an entire Smithsonian exhibit. I shudder to think of their combined worth—no wonder there are two armed guards near the door. I wouldn’t be surprised to find more stationed out in the hall.

I lean down, inspecting a diamond that would cover the entire width of my ring finger.

“Ah, the lady has good taste. That’s an emerald-cut white diamond, weighing ten and a half carats with a provenance that can be traced back to Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, originally found in a ring made by Cartier.”