Roman Vasquez's POV

The next morning after I arrived in New York I received an extraordinary summon for a private meeting with the legendary Daniel St. Clair in his Hamptons estate the very same day, if possible. I hadn't met the big man in person before but I knew that he was ruthless when it came to business. Some said that his heart was as hard as the diamonds he sold.

What could a formidable businessman like him want from me? I thought silently. Suddenly, my brain snapped at the possible answer. Was it possible that Daniel St. Clair knew I was married to one of his granddaughters?

There's nothing else to do but answer his call for a private meeting. If he was, indeed, knew something about my marriage with Red and he didn't want it? Could I lay out the law with a man like him?

After long hours of driving from the city, I arrived at the huge Hampton estate owned by Daniel St. Clair called The Jewel. The three-story castle-like house was magnificent in every direction. It stood proudly at the center of the estate with several courtyards, tennis courts, swimming pools, English gardens, and ponds. It was the kind of residence that would fit for the king of diamonds.

I parked my Ferrari in the main courtyard and rang the doorbell of the main door. A uniformed maid curtsied and without question invited me inside the house.

Inside the splendid manor was more impressive. With high ceilings, marble floors, and priceless paintings, amid a huge receiving area with a huge portrait of a beautiful woman—probably in her younger years proudly hanging above the fireplace.

The maid led me to the grand staircase going to the second floor and escorted me to the rows of hallway after hallway. I should remember every corner we entered or I'll find myself missing in this huge fortress.

Finally, after endless turns and walked the maid stopped in front of the door at the far end of the hallway we last entered. "Mr. St. Clair is inside."

I nodded my thanks and tapped lightly at the door. I mentally prepared myself for this encounter with the American billionaire.

"Come in." A commanding voice said inside the room.

I let myself enter the room. I was amazed when I saw the huge two-story library with shelves filled with first-class collection books. The silverheaded man sat behind the study table with cold emerald eyes that matched my wife's eyes—who, at the moment, was busy studying me closely. He was no doubt the grandfather of my wife.

The room could make one feel intimidated. And apparently, Daniel St. Clair thought of using his library to frighten me. Not that I was the type of man who could be easily scared by the grandeur of his library.

"Sit down, young man." Red's grandfather said authoritatively. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't pinpoint at the moment.

I obeyed him without question like a man meeting American royalty, taking one of the leather chairs in front of him and making myself comfortable even though that's the last thing I felt right now.

"Whiskey?" Daniel St. Clair asked, pouring his finest whiskey on the two glasses on the tray. It seems that he planned this well. A clever man, at his age he still knew what was going on with the lives of his granddaughter.

"No. Thank you." I shook my head when Daniel handed me the other glass. I should keep his wits with me when dealing with my wife's family. I knew this meeting would not go as smoothly as I wanted.

"One glass will not hurt you, lad." He insisted on giving me the glass of whiskey. I took it reluctantly but didn't drink the content.

"I want to be clear-headed when I deal with you, sir."

The man surprised me by laughing. Was that a reverence I see in the depth of his green eyes? "You have confidence in you that I like, Vasquez."

My eyes narrowed slightly. This was not a social visit, then? For, I was certain that we didn't meet before this day. "Let's get to the point, sir. You know me very well, are you? And how I am related to your granddaughter?"

"Yes." He answered casually, drinking his whiskey. Like a predator toying with his prey before killing it. "I admit, I investigated the man who paid a visit to my twin granddaughters in their penthouse in Carnegie Hill."

I admired Daniel's connections that he was quick to find out everything he wanted to know in less than twenty-four hours of hearing that a man had visited his granddaughters.

"Then you must know that I am—"

"Ruby's husband?" He completed it for me, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. I frowned silently. Did I see a gleam in his eyes? "I should confess I didn't expect that one coming. But I'm very happy."

"Don't get your hopes very high, sir," I told him bluntly. Whatever good fortune I found upon meeting this legendary man I would take it with pleasure. "It was just a marriage of convenience. Red—I mean, Ruby made it clear, that she will seek for divorce in three months."

Deviousness showed in his dark green eyes. "You will be surprised what determined grandfather is capable of when getting his granddaughter a good husband."

"What do you mean?" I cocked my eyebrow in his direction. I was starting to like Daniel St. Clair and his deviousness. "You think I am a good husband for Ruby?"

"Let's just say, yes." He smiled evilly. The man was cunning, all right? And I like him for it. Now I knew where my wife got her slyness. "You see, I want to see my granddaughters be married before the year's end. And Ruby just practically served herself on a silver platter to me. It's still January and Ruby helped me a lot when she came home already married to you. Now I have eleven months to figure out how to marry off my three remaining stubborn granddaughters. Will you help me with my first quest?"

I felt myself twitching with a smile. For the first time in days, I might finally have the answers to my problems with my wayward wife. "What do plan to do? Ruby wanted out of our union she made it clear to me."

"There will be no divorce," Daniel stated resolutely, as he raised his glass for a toast. "You have my word. Leave it to me, lad. By the end of three months, Ruby is still your wife. You can now consider me as your grandfather-in-law. Welcome to my family, young man."

What choice do I have but to clink my glass with Daniel? If he was the answer in keeping my wife to my side, so be it. "We'll see about that, sir."

Ruby St. Clair's POV

The next morning after my disturbing lunch with a Spanish billionaire who happens to be my lawful husband too. I found myself pacing Emerald's living room. So far there was no trace of him today. I was not sure if I was relieved at the fact that he was not around and bothering me or worried about what could he possibly do in New York right now.

I'm not missing him, I told myself silently. I'm just worried because he's in New York and the chances that he might bump into the members of my family were quite high.

I don't trust him. What if he suddenly decided to spill to my family that we're married I couldn't imagine the delight on my grandfather's face when he learns about this juicy detail. If that happened—God, I hope not—I would be forever stuck with Roman Vasquez. I knew that Granddad had been very vocal about wanting us to settle down and have our own family. But I was not ready yet. I knew this temporary insanity I made in Spain would bite me in the rear soon.

Thank goodness, Emerald was not around today because she had a photoshoot somewhere. After my lunch with Roman yesterday I've been avoiding my twin sister like plague because of the grilling she promised after I came back with my lunch.

I would lose my sanity altogether thinking about my problems if I stayed longer in this silent penthouse. I decided to visit my oldest sister, Amethyst to forget all of my problems. Changing into a more suitable dress for the winter I grabbed my bag and went out of the penthouse. I rode the waiting taxi the concierge called for me.

I gave the address of Amethyst to the cab driver and settled myself comfortably at the back of the cab. A few minutes later I finally arrived at my older sister's apartment. I smiled when a five-year-old boy answered the door. "Yes?" He said to me with innocent light brown eyes.

I smiled down at him. But before I could greet him my sister went out to see who visited them. "Ruby!" She said with such delight. "Say hello to your Auntie Ruby, Max."

Amethyst's son studied me for a moment. "You look like Aunt Emma."

I couldn't help but smile at him. He's so adorable. I've been away with my family for so long that I haven't seen him since he was born. I went down to my knees so I could be at his eye level. "Do I look like Emerald?" When he nodded, I added with a smile. "That's because we're twins. Hello, this is the first time we have met. My name is Ruby and you are?" I extend my hand for a handshake.

He grinned boyishly at me and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you. My name is Massimo. But you can call me Max for short."

"I will call you Max if you will give me a hug." As soon as I opened my arms he attacked me with the hug I requested. I laughed when we nearly stumbled back with his force. My heart melted when he suddenly kissed me on the cheeks.

"I always kiss Aunt Sapphire and Aunt Emma when they come for a visit."

I pinched his cheeks. Oh, God. He's so cute. "Then will you do the same with me when I come for a visit also?"

He nodded eagerly with a grin. My older sister who was silently witnessing everything laughed and joined the conversation. "That's enough the two of you. Let's go in the living room and have tea."

I walked hand-in-hand with my nephew until we reached the living room. I sat on the sofa while Amethyst went to the kitchen to get some tea and pies. Max showed me his photo album and chatted with me merrily.

I was listening to him intently when my older sister came from the kitchen with a tray of food. "You've been away far too long, Ruby. What's up?"

I smiled at my older sister. From her appearance, you wouldn't believe that she already had a five-year-old boy. She got pregnant at the age of twenty-two the same year I left New York City. Emerald told me the night I arrived that the father of Amethyst's son was unknown to everyone. No one knew about his identity our older sister claimed that it was just an affair and nothing more.

"Nothing much," Answered her question a while ago with a smile.

"Are you going to stay in New York for good?" Amethyst asked as she sat on the sofa beside me and poured the cups of tea.

"Yes," I answered almost absently, looking at Max's baby pictures.

"Have you talked to Granddad yet?"

That got my full attention. Something in my heart moved that made me nervous. "No, why? Is there something wrong?"

"Wrong?" My sister echoed with a frown. "What are you—oh silly, nothing is wrong. I'm talking about the fact now that you are here and staying for good perhaps he's going to give you a position in the St. Clair Diamonds."

"Oh," I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding. I carefully drink my cup of tea. "I'm not interested in working at the St. Clair Diamonds. Surrounded by gemstones is not my thing."

Amethyst smiled at me. "I knew you would say that. Granddad told us that you graduated in France as a chef is that true?"

"Yes," I smiled sheepishly at my sister.

"Are you going to open a restaurant of your own?"

I shrugged though that's my long-time dream. "I don't know yet." I would think about that when I resolve my current problem with my current civil status as a married woman.

"You are the only granddaughter of Daniel who is not working at his empire, Ruby." My sister remarked playfully. "I work as their exclusive jewelry designer. Sapphire is the general manager of the flagship store while Emerald is the face of St. Clair Diamonds that makes you missing in action in his empire."

"I'm sure Granddad would be satisfied with that arrangement. Three of his granddaughters are working for him. He wouldn't mind if the last one did not work for him." I muttered almost absently.

"What's wrong?" My sister asked worriedly. "You seem to have a problem. Care to share it with me?"

I smiled brightly in her direction. "I don't have a problem, Amy. You are worrying yourself for nothing. I'm fine."

At least, that's what I thought when my kept secrets were on the brink of coming to the open...