Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Maddie

It takes hours to sort out the police and the other emergency services.

My house is mostly gone.

It’s a good thing I’ve got a buyer, and he’s assured me he’s not backing out of the deal. And I’m talking about Mason.

He’s even got papers for me to sign in the morning, but the weird part is, I’m not even worried.

Roman is not going to turn me out onto the street. I even hear him whispering to Mason about letting the insurance come through before the sale.

Not that it matters.

I’m pretty sure I’m marrying a billionaire. Once we’re all done at the police station, Lucia, Josh, and Mrs. Higgins are shuttled into a limo and taken to Roman’s apartment building.

While we’ve been busy being questioned, Mason’s assistant has seen that two other apartments have been outfitted with basics. A bed, linens, a couch in each, and bar stools at the island.

Roman hands a set of keys to Mrs. Higgins and then another to Lucia.

“How much is the rent?” she asks, taking the key and unlocking the door. When it swings open, I hear her gasp, “Do you see those windows?” Wait until she gets a look at the bathroom.

“Lucia. This is not a rental, you’re welcome to stay as long as—” Roman starts but Lucia cuts him off.

“I’ll never move out, if you continue to talk like that.”

“What my wife means,” Josh inserts, “Is that we would never take advantage of your generosity and as hard-working adults, we’d feel better paying rent.”

“We’re not billionaires, though,” Lucia adds. “And being a vet is not the same as being a doctor. As you think of numbers, bear that in mind.”

I smile, hiding it behind my hand. After a long night, it’s so nice to have a bit of banter, but also…my smile turns into a yawn. “How about we discuss the particulars of rent in the morning? I’m exhausted.”

Roman’s arm comes around me, his lips grazing my forehead. We make our way to the elevator as I count three floors until we reach the penthouse. I laugh to myself. Roman has created a nice buffer between us and them for very obvious reasons.

We don’t say a word as we make our way into the bathroom, Roman turning on the shower as I start to strip off my clothes.

I hear him shrug off his jeans and shirt before his hand clasps mine, pulling me into the hot spray.

Tired as I am, I don’t hesitate to press my body to his, winding my arms around his neck as his lips find mine.

“Oh Maddie,” he rumbles against my lips. “I was worried, after the house, you’d change your mind.”

I sigh, shaking my head before I kiss him again. “I can’t believe both Vigo and Vincent are dead.”

“I’m not crying over it,” he says squeezing me tighter. “But I didn’t actually want them dead either. Even after everything.”

I thread my hands into his hair. My billionaire bad boy is learning to use his heart. “Me either.”

“Still, it’ll be easier for Luke and Kate to come back with them gone…”

I nod. Roman told me hours ago that Kate was alive. “I know I only knew Kate for a night, but I’d take her coming back over my house.”

He squeezes me tighter. “That’s why I love you, Maddie.”

“I love you too.” So much.

His hand trails down my spine. “You know…I have asked you to marry me…a couple times now.”

I smile kissing him with all the passion building inside me. “My answer is yes.”

“Thank fucking God.” He lifts me into his arms, my legs wrapping about his waist as his cock nestles into my folds.

I’m already wet but Roman spits into his hand, rubbing the spit at my entrance before he pushes inside me.

My back arches as I take him in, a needy moan falling from my lips. “When do you want to get married?” he says even as he pumps into me.

It’s either the best time or the worst time to have this conversation. I can barely think as I tug at his hair. “I don’t know. Everything has been so fast. We can take our time with the wedding, can’t we?”

“Agreed,” Roman slows the pace, kissing me long and deep. “Tomorrow we shop for a ring, though?”

I nod. I am absolutely fine wearing a piece of jewelry that tells the whole world I’m engaged to Roman Kincaid. “Definitely.”

“Anything you really want?”

I lean back, biting at my lip. The sparkle of jewelry is mostly lost on me. “I trust your taste.”

His hands are on my hips as he lifts me up so that I slide back down his cock, so full, I moan again.

“A sapphire, I think, vintage.”

I gasp at the thought of a dark blue stone, a color I’d be more likely to see than a pale diamond. And old with a bit of dinge is so me. It’s perfect.

We don’t talk as Roman picks up the pace, working my body until I explode around him.

When we finally get out of the shower, we collapse onto the bed, and I fall instantly asleep on his chest.

For a day filled with so much bad, there has also been so much good.

Lucia is just a few floors away, I’m safe from the Vendettis forever, and I’m marrying the love of my life.

How could things get any better?