Fiona’s nostrils flared, and she looked like she wanted to hit someone—preferably Detective Harrison—but she stalked out of the room. I matched her stride for stride, and footsteps behind us indicated that Harrison was keeping pace too. When we reached the elevator, Fiona turned to face Harrison.
“Can I leave?” she asked.
Harrison nodded. “No charges are being filed against you. You’re free to go, although we may want to speak with you more as a witness.”
Fiona’s eyes narrowed. “Give me at least twenty-four hours to recover, and don’t bother asking me to come in without my lawyer.”
Harrison rolled her eyes but didn’t comment.
“And?” I prompted the detective.
Harrison glared at me, and then turned to Fiona. “The department apologizes for any distress you may haveexperienced as a result of our investigation both now and in the past.”
“Thank you,” Fiona said.
While it was obvious Harrison hadn’t wanted to say it, she had, and apparently Fiona was going to take that as a win. Considering she’d lost her job four years ago, she’d be within her rights to sue, but Harrison hadn’t been the detective involved with that case, and honestly, I thought everything had worked out for the best. Well, everything except the fact that Fiona had stopped making art. She had a gift, and it was sad to know she’d cast it aside because of a cheating asshole who’d never deserved her in the first place.
Harrison handed Fiona her phone and her purse, then I took Fiona’s hand and we left the building together. As we stepped outside, she stopped walking and pulled me closer. She gazed up at me with dark, soulful eyes, and the edges of her mouth lifted.
“Thank you for getting me out of there,” she said. “And…” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I’m not sure exactly what’s happening between us, or where we go from here, but I want you to know that I love you.” She released a puff of breath. “It’s completely crazy, but I do. I love you, Ezekiel Watts.”
I gathered her in my arms and breathed her in, squeezing my eyes shut against the waves of emotion crashing through me. I’d known I was falling for Fiona, but it wasn’t until she was out of my reach that I realized I’d already fallen for her.Caput. I was done.
“I love you too,” I murmured against her hair.
“Yeah?” She pulled back and dabbed at her damp eyes.
“Yeah.” I smiled and kissed her. “I’m crazy about every sassy, strong, unbreakable piece of you.”
Her expression softened. “What about the broken bits?”
“Oh, Fi.” I cupped her face. “Don’t you know? They’re my favorite.”
She blinked rapidly. “You asshole. Now I’m going to cry.”
Grinning, I kissed her. Once. Twice. Again. Peppering her beautiful face until she laughed and pushed at my chest.
“Where to now?” I asked. “Want me to take you home?”
“I’d really like that.” She hesitated, then added, “Will you stay with me?”
“Always.”
