Page 57 of Stone

She smiled. “I will.”

When the detective walked away, she found Nick waiting for her. He gave her a hug.

“So damn glad you’re okay.”

“Me too.”

He leaned back. “So, I guess I’m giving you my blessing about Knox.”

“I wasn’t asking for it, but I’m glad.” She squeezed his arm.

“I’ll tell Lainie. She’ll be ecstatic. We’ll have you and Knox over for dinner one night.”

“That’ll be nice.” And Nola couldn’t wait to see her friend and tell her all about Knox, as well as check to see how she was feeling.

“Someone’s waiting for you.” Nick jerked his head.

Nola spotted Knox standing there, with a bandage wrapped around his bicep. She squeezed her brother’s arm. “Thanks, Nick.”

He smoothed some of her hair back behind her ear. “Stay out of trouble. No more witnessing mob murders.”

A laugh huffed out of her. “Will do.” She walked toward her silver fox. “Hi.”

“Hi. You all right?”

She nodded. “It’s all done.” She looked around the destroyed office. “I can’t believe it’s over.”

He ran his fingers over her cheekbone. “So, I have an apartment upstairs…”

She cocked her head. “Oh?”

“I don’t have any food in the fridge, and not much furniture either. But we can order takeout, and I do have a bed.”

She grabbed his hand. “That sounds great. Add in a glass of wine, and I’m all yours.”

“I’m sure I can get a bottle from Hadley.” He entwined their fingers. “And I can guarantee no bad guys.”

“Sold. I am over my quota for bad guys this week.” She smiled. “Lead the way, my silver fox.”

EPILOGUE

Six months later

Knox opened the front door with his elbow because both his hands were full. He had a bottle of wine in one hand, and a take-out bag from Pepe Giallo, the Italian restaurant Nola loved. He’d ordered her favorite spaghetti carbonara.

It was a special night, after all.

“Hey, Sprite. I’m home.”

He’d had a busy day. He and Nick had tracked down some corporate thieves. He’d then had the pleasure of watching Devyn kick the ass of a cocky CEO who’d tried to run when confronted with the proof of his crimes. Then he’d watched Killian lose it because she was pregnant and not supposed to be fighting, especially guys bigger than her. She wasn’t showing yet, and pregnancy wasn’t slowing her down.

“Nola?” he called out.

“I’m…um…” Her muffled voice came from down the hallway. “I’m coming.”

He frowned and set the bottle and bag down on the kitchen island. She sounded weird.

His apartment had finally been decorated. Nola had moved in a month ago, and now it was splashed with extra style and color. He loved seeing her sweater draped over the back of a chair, or a vase of fresh flowers on the table.

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