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“No, sir. Thank you. This was a joy to work on and I think your lady is going to be very happy with it.”

“That’s the hope anyway,” I quip, chuckling, as I hand him a stack of cash. I had to dig into my old drug money to pay for this but I don’t give a damn. Kady’s worth every penny and then some. He hands me a receipt and checks the ring again before snapping the box closed.

“You want a bag?”

I shake my head. “Naw. I’ll just take it.”

Richard hands me the box with a smile. “Good luck, son.”

I grin. “Thanks, but I’m pretty confident that she’ll say yes.”

“Oh, I’ve heard that before but I suppose you don’t need to be hearing all the horror stories at a time like this,” he retorts and I chuckle as I shake my head.

“No, probably not. But this isn’t the first time I’ve proposed to her.”

“Well, this sounds like a damn good story.” He pulls up a stool and sits down on it before giving me an expectant look. I laugh as I start explaining Kady and my story to him and when I finish, his eyes are wide as he shakes his head.

“You told me she lost her ring but my goodness…”

I nod. “Yeah, we’ve been through some shit but we’ve come out stronger each time.”

“Love like that is the reason I got into this business.”

“Yeah?”

He nods. “Oh, yeah. My parents had it and I always longed for it myself.”

“You never found it?”

“Once,” he answers, sadness creeping into his eyes. “But she died before we could ever get married and start a family of our own.”

“I’m so sorry.” I imagine what my life would look like right now if Oliver had hurt her instead of holding her captive and it’s too painful to even think about. He waves his hand through the air, brushing me off as he stands and begins wiping down the glass case in front of him.

“You should probably get going so you can go get down on one knee for a second time.”

“You’re right.” I shove the box into my pocket before shaking his hand. I’m anxious to get back to my girl. Leaving her with Oliver still on the loose is so damn hard but sometimes it just can’t be avoided. “Thanks for all your help.”

“Thank you for allowing me to work on it and I hope to see you back in here when it’s time to buy your wedding bands,” he says with a wink and I laugh.

“I wouldn’t go to anyone else, Richard.” I walk to the door and turn back to wave at him before I duck outside and stick my hand in my pocket. The sun is starting to go down and there’s a chill in the air that makes me want to be back at the cabin even more, sitting in front of the fireplace with my girl in my lap. Maybe tonight, after dinner, we can cuddle up and I’ll pop the question again. I think about her reaction to seeing her ring again and smile as I stop by the truck, pulling the door open before climbing in.

My phone rings as I start the truck and Streak’s name flashes on the screen when I pull it out of my pocket.

“Stalkers anonymous. How can we help you fight your demons today?” I answer and he starts laughing.

“Fuck. That was a good one. I might have to steal it.”

I shake my head. “Get your own jokes, asshole. Now, what’s up?”

“Um… maybe nothing but isn’t Storm at the cabin with Kady right now?”

“Yeah. Why?” I ask, my heart sinking like a stone as I pull out of my parking space and press down on the gas.

“Well, it’s just that her phone is on the move. And moving fast…”

I can’t breathe as my heart thunders in my chest and my skin goes cold. “Did you call Storm?”

“Yeah, and he’s not picking up.”