Page 40 of Redemption of a Prince

“I was supposed to have a meeting first thing this morning, but it was postponed until I can be there in person. Karsen texted me and told me to take a couple of days off until I can get home.”

He didn’t believe that for a minute. “Will you?” he asked to clarify.

“Not entirely. I have some work I can do from here. I would rather be helping with clean-up, but since we can’t do that, I need to go upstairs and get my things.”

“You might need a parka.” He sat up and swung his legs to the floor. “Grab a coat out of the closet in your room, and I’ll head up there with you to get whatever you need.”

He went to the room he’d be staying in for the next few days and changed into a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved, collared shirt, and work boots. Grabbing a coat, Zeke headed back into the living area where Nikki was already leaving the flat.

“Not waiting for me?” It didn’t surprise him. Even as a teen, she’d been independent and a little bit headstrong. That had worked in her favor when her parents kicked her out.

She shrugged. “You have longer legs than I do. I knew you’d catch up.”

They walked to the stairs in silence. When they reached the third floor, Nikki stopped and stared into the ballroom.

“I’d love to see photos of it all decked out and gorgeous.” Her voice took on a wistful tone.

Enough light filtered in from outside to get a good idea of what it would look like unadorned, but nothing like it would really be.

“You’d rather actually see it in all its glory, wouldn’t you?” He watched her face.

“Well, yes, but that’s not likely to happen, so I’ll settle for pictures or video. I know they’re not released to the public very often, not from here.” With a sigh, she started for the stairs.

Zeke followed her until they reached the apartment where she’d stayed. “If you want to pack up your clothes, I can get your work stuff together.”

“Thanks.” She went into the bedroom to pack.

Zeke stared at the papers they’d spread out while eating dinner. He gathered them into folders, then put the folders in her attaché case. Her laptop was already powered down, but the cord needed to be wrapped up and put away.

By the time, he finished getting everything ready, Nikki was walking out of the bedroom pulling two suitcases behind her. Another bag hung over her shoulder.

“That was fast.”

Nikki shrugged. “I just threw everything in the bags. I didn’t have to pick and choose what to take. If it was in a drawer or the closet, it went in the suitcase.”

“Makes sense.” He held out her attaché case. “You carry this. I’ve got the bigger bags.” They’d have to carry them down the stairs this time.

Or was there enough power to the elevator from the generators?

Zeke stopped and pulled out his phone.

“Who are you calling?”

He held up a finger as Henry answered. “Is there power to the elevator? Or can there be for a few minutes?”

“There can be. Give me a few minutes.”

“Thanks. We’ve got Nikki’s bags already, but I need to get a few of my things to bring down. It would be much easier with the elevator.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll let you know when it’s up and running.”

“Thanks.”

“We don’t need the elevator,” Nikki told him. “I can carry my bags if I need to.”

“We won’t let the generator run full force any longer than we have to. We can preserve fuel that way. But we have the ability to use the elevator to take our luggage downstairs, so why run the risk of hurting ourselves carrying heavy bags when we don’t have to?”

She muttered her acquiescence.

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