22. Epilogue 1 Rhys
One Week Later…
After following Savannah back to Coronado, she invites me to stay at her place. Even though it’s cozy, I decide it’s far too small, and she deserves something much nicer. I also decide I’m making her mine as soon as possible. Being able to call her my wife is my highest priority.
Easy, Rhys. The last thing I want to do is move too fast and scare her off, but I’m a man who knows what he wants. And I have a list of things I’m going to do for her.
So, first things first. I deposit an obscene amount of money in her business account because I want her to be able to rebuild the restaurant she loved and lost. It’s a huge project because she’s choosing a new location—a place right on the beach, where Charlie’s Place can be bigger and better, but still maintain its cozy roots.
While Savvy is busy with the restaurant plans, I can slip away more easily and take care of two other things on my list. A bigger place for us to live in close proximity to the new restaurant—guess that means we’re going to live only steps away from the sand, because only the best for my woman—and an engagement ring to put on her finger.
I’m envisioning a big diamond surrounded by sapphires.
Or vice versa. Whichever sparkles brighter.
Speaking of sapphires, my mind turns to The Heart of Azure.
After telling the Turkish authorities about what happened in Istanbul, Adam Voss is no longer a threat.
Attempted murder by poisoning and breaking into a national treasure like the cistern and stealing a priceless necklace hidden there didn’t make him look very good.
I hope he and his thugs enjoy rotting away in a Turkish prison.
Meanwhile, as far as I’m aware, the necklace is still in police custody.
Due to its long and varied history and transition of ownership, where it ends up is really anyone’s guess.
It’s a bit of an orphan now. Just like me.
Or, like I was. Now, I’m happy to say I have a family which consists of Savvy, her sister and in-laws, and a merry band of former thieves.
The stolen copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was “mysteriously” returned to its owner.
But that didn’t deter me from tracking down an original 1865 first edition.
I have connections, after all. Might as well use them.
And I think it will make a lovely wedding present to my even lovelier bride. One day.
I thought retirement would be a sad ending to my career, but it feels amazing.
There’s no need to put on a show anymore.
I can just be me. Although, I still have an innate inclination to embrace my debonair side, and Savvy loves to tease me about it.
But no matter how hard I try to not be a snob when it comes to certain things, like clothing, you’ll never see me trade my linen lounge pants for a pair of loud boardshorts or my Italian loafers for Crocs.
Hideous. Makes my eyes burn and my skin itch.
After finishing the last thing on my to-do list this afternoon, I’m ready to share it all with Savannah.
I just hope she likes everything. No, I hope she loves it all.
Maybe I went with a way bigger home than we actually need and, perhaps, the ring I finally chose might be a tad too heavy for her delicate finger, but, hey, it’s me.
She knows I’m a show-off, and she loves it.
In fact, she borrowed my Ferrari to drive over to the new restaurant site today.
Which leaves me with her Civic.
Trying not to grimace, I manually unlock the door and slide into her Honda.
Is it a Ferrari? Hell no. But it smells like sunshine and lemons inside, and it’ll get me to my woman, and that’s all that matters.
Plus it’s sentimental and used to belong to her mom, so I understand.
I turn the key and the engine sputters to life.
While cranking the window down by hand, I decide I’m gifting her her own Ferrari as a wedding present.
Of course, she can keep this car, but it’s important that she has a reliable ride.
A warm breeze blows through the car and I glance in the rearview mirror at the little furry face staring out of the crate, watching the scenery pass. Savannah had mentioned wanting a simple life which included her family and a puppy one day. Today, she’s getting her puppy.
“You’re a lucky little girl,” I tell the dog. “We both are.”
I told Savannah I would meet her at the new restaurant site, and when I pull into the sandy dirt lot, she’s finishing up with a couple of construction managers.
They’re breaking ground tomorrow, and I know she’s excited.
The moment she sees me park, she waves and a huge smile breaks out across her beautiful face.
How the hell did a thief like me get a fairytale ending? I wonder.
I get out and wait for her to end her conversation with the construction guys. I timed this just right and the sun is beginning to set. Beyond the plot of empty land, the ocean rolls in and the horizon is starting to morph into a fiery display of red, gold and orange.
The moment she turns toward me, I stroll forward to meet her. She goes up on her toes to give me a hello kiss, and I wrap my arms around her waist, lifting her up. Loving the press of her body against mine.
“Did you have a good day?” I ask, brushing her long hair over her shoulder.
“So good! I’m so excited for tomorrow.”
“I know.” I release her and take a step back.
“I’m so proud of you, chérie.” My original plan involved a walk along the beach and proposing down there, but I didn’t think I was going to adopt a dog today.
But the moment I saw her cute face, I had to have her before someone else came along and snatched her up.
So now, I don’t want to leave her in the car too long, even with the windows down.
“I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you.”
“You could have,” I assure her, taking her hand in mine. “When you put your mind to something, you accomplish it.”
“You’re so sweet,” she murmurs.
Looking at the serene joy on her face and hearing those words from her, I know the moment is finally here.
The sky on fire all around us, a harbinger of good things to come, I reach into my pants pocket with my other hand.
As I pull out the velvet box from Cartier, my nerves flare.
Of course, I chose an exquisite ring from the most prestigious French jeweler in the world. Nothing but the best for Savvy.
“The night I got stabbed and passed out on your doorstep was the best thing that ever could’ve happened to me.
” Her wide smoky green eyes lift from the box and focus on me.
“You taught me it’s okay to be myself. To rise above the guilt that nearly consumed me.
I can never repay you for that, ma chérie, but I’m going to try.
I’m going to try every single day for the rest of my life. ”
“Rhys,” she whispers, eyes tearing up.
“Back in Denver, you told me what you wanted most—a simple life hanging out with your sister and niece, reading books on your patio, getting a puppy. You said you didn’t want to run around the world and you didn’t need a sapphire as big as your fist. Well, how about a diamond?
” I open the lid and Savannah’s jaw drops.
“Oh, my God.” She claps a hand over her mouth.
“I can be simple, too—well, for me—as long as it’s with you, chérie.” Dropping to one knee, I look up at the woman who has changed my life in the best possible ways. “Will you marry me, Savvy?”
Her hand drops from her mouth, and a radiance lights her up like I’ve never seen before.
“Yes,” she whispers, and a tear slides down her cheek.
I slip the enormous diamond surrounded by sapphires onto her slim finger.
And it shines brighter than any ol’ Heart of Azure.
Because this jewel glints with the reflection of our love.
“Oh, and there’s one other thing. Well, two, actually. Here.” I pluck a set of keys out of my other pocket and hand them to her.
“What’re these?”
“The keys to our new house.”
“What!”
“I hope you like it!” I call over my shoulder, leaving her slightly dumbfounded as I hurry back to the car and open the back door.
Unlocking the crate, I reach in and pluck out the tiny ball of cream fur.
I don’t have far to go because Savannah is already running up.
Once again, her jaw drops and then her voice raises about five octaves as she starts cooing to the little wigglebutt trying to squirm out of my hands.
Handing the puppy over, I laugh at the absolute joy on both their faces.
“Where did you get her? Oh, my God, I’m in love!”
“With me, I hope.”
“Yes, with you, silly. But with her, too.”
“That didn’t take long.” I give her a dimpled grin. “I rescued her from the shelter. They said she’s a Pomeranian mix. I figured I’d throw in a puppy to sweeten the deal.”
“You’re spoiling me, Rhys!” Savannah cuddles the furball to her chest and kisses the puppy’s tiny head. “I’m going to name her Alice.”
Staring at the way she holds the puppy, I have a sudden flash of her cradling our future child. She’s going to make an amazing mother.
“I love you, Monsieur Laurent.” She steps over, grabs my shirt and tugs me down for a long, steamy kiss. When the puppy gives a yip of approval, we both laugh.
“And I love you, Mademoiselle Grant.”
My world is complete. Savannah Grant loves me and I love her. In all fairness, I did warn her I’m never giving her back. Nope, I’m a good enough thief that I managed to steal her heart, and now it’s all mine.
Forever.