Page 195 of Ice Princess

“Rebel, don’t be so dramatic. I don’t need the police.”

“Mom,” I hiss, “Stewart is a dangerous guy. Who knows what he’ll do to you?”

“He’snotdangerous.”

I lean forward, wishing I could sprout wings and fly to her. “You have no idea. Mom, I haven’t told you anything about what’s been going on, but the truth is?—”

“He asked me to marry him.”

I flop back in shock.

April glances over, a deep line marking her forehead.

I shake my head. “W-what did you say?”

“Stewart Kinsey just asked for my hand in marriage.”

CHAPTER

FIFTY-EIGHT

GUNNER

After practice,I hit the shower and mentally prepare for another, exhausting stakeout.

Rebel and I have decided not to let the outside pressure get to us, but it’s still my job to keep her safe. The only way I can give her the life she deserves is to resolve this matter between my family and hers.

I just hope Uncle Clancy makes a move soon.

We can’t keep living in limbo.

“Gunner!” Thielan yells loud enough that I can hear over the hiss of the shower. “Your phone’s been ringing off the hook.”

I’m instantly on hyper alert and my first thought is:Rebel’s in trouble.

I wrap a towel around myself and skate out of the shower so fast I almost fall. Windmilling my hands to catch my balance, I keep running and wrench my locker door open.

My phone goes silent as I reach inside my duffel. Out of breath, I tap on the recent call logs.

The number on the screen isn’t Rebel’s.

It’s my dad.

I call back. “Hey, dad.”

“Son, I just heard back from my colleagues at forensics. We got a hit.”

My entire body turns rigid. “What did they find?”

“Uncle Clarence’s fingerprints.”

“Are they sure?” I already know Uncle Clancy will deny being involved until he’s blue in the face. There can’t be any room for error.

“Thankfully, your grandfather’s will was kept in a safety deposit box and rarely touched all these years.”

“Is that enough to end this?”

“No, but it’ll help build a strong case.” The sound of a harsh breeze fills my ears and robs some of dad’s words. A moment later, I hear a door slam open and shut. It gets quiet in the background again. “By cross-checking court records and legal document transfers, I spotted a 24-hour gap in the will’s chain of custody.”

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