“A vacation?”
“Longer. Administrative leave.”
The chief grew serious. “Fill out the paperwork and we’ll see what we can do.”
Nick did exactly that and left the moment his shift was over. He needed to stop at the jewelry store. He had a ring to buy before he met Rowan for dinner and more important things to do than could be found in a police precinct.
* * *
Rowan signedthe papers Adrienne placed in front of her, her heart overflowing with joy. The land under Sunrise House was hers. With the signing of these papers, she owned it. No lease. Bought and paid for.
“How did you pull this off?” she asked, shaking her head.
Her lawyer, Adrienne, grinned and collected the stack of paperwork from her desk. “I didn’t. Stevenson offered it to me of his own free will, and I bought it on behalf of your company. I’ve been pursuing him for months. I have no explanation.”
She inhaled deeply as a fine shiver ran along her skin. Nick had entered the building. A moment later, he appeared in her doorway, a shiny black bag dangling from his fingertip.
“You wouldn’t know anything about Stevenson selling me the land under this building, would you?” She gave him a welcoming smile.
He crossed the room and pecked her on the lips. “It seems Stevenson is capable of doing the right thing when given the proper motivation.”
“What motivation could that be?”
“Selling the building or death? I’d sell the building too, under those parameters.”
“Nick, you didn’t!”
“After the deed was done, I gave him some of Harriet’s potion and made him forget we’d ever had the conversation. I think it worked out just fine.”
Adrienne closed his attaché case and stood. “I have to agree, and I think the kids who come here every day will think so too.” He held out a hand to Rowan, who shook it, and then to Nick. “Always a pleasure. Enjoy your evening.”
“Say hello to Sally for me,” Rowan said.
He gave her a wave before slipping into the hall.
“Stevenson and Soren were arrested today; your building is yours. I’d say this was a good day,” Nick said.
Rowan grinned. “One of the best.”
“What’s left on our to-do list?”
“You mean Verinetti? Harriet helped me with something. It’s only a matter of time before it takes effect.”
“I don’t want to talk about Verinetti on our date tonight.”
“Good, neither do I. What do you want to talk about?” They were going to seeCursed Childand then having dinner at Eleven Madison Park. She couldn’t wait.
His brows pinched together. “There’s just one hanging thread we need to tie off.”
“What’s that?”
He reached into the bag and popped the top on a ring box. “Will you marry me, Rowan?”
Her mouth dropped open. The diamond inside was lovely and surrounded by rubies. “A princess cut?”
“No longer a princess of Paragon, but my princess instead.” He looked at her through his lashes.
She withdrew the ring from the box and tried it on.
