Page 87 of Untamed Protector

She grits her teeth, looking at Lexi with pure hatred. “You signed your death sentence when you came here to the city, looking for answers. You should’ve taken the money my dad gave you and stayed in that hole you came from. I hesitated, damn it. I actually hesitated for once. But I didn’t play my last card.”

“You won’t get away with it. No one’s going to give you immunity. You’re going to end up behind bars, no matter how much money you have,” Lexi confronts her, eyes narrowed and voice laced with steel.

“I’m afraid you’re wrong, country girl. This isn’t over. Just wait. My dad’s going to do whatever it takes to get me out. And this will be your lesson: not to trust anyone. You can only trust yourself. Stay independent and always have an exit plan. Just like me. You might as well learn something since you got out of this alive.” With a sad smile, Anita allows herself to be pushed toward the exit.

“Take them away,” Damien says to the cops as they come in. “There won’t be any deal, Anita. I’ll track down everyone you wanted to turn in myself.”

Peter looks at me, deeply pained. I feel sorry for him.

“Anita!” I shout, and she looks back. “You two need our protection. If we spread the word that you snitched, you won’t make it through a single night in jail. So, you’re right; the negotiation isn’t over. But we call the shots now.”

The room empties, one by one. It feels stuffy in here. We need to get some fresh air and sunshine to forget what just happened.

Holding Lexi in my arms, I can’t help but wonder if the answers will bring her peace. Time will tell. She was in the wrong place when the accident happened, but her relentless search for the culprit set off a chain of events that changed the lives of so many.

A man in love who wanted to pamper his girlfriend with a luxury car. A woman who grew up without love, craving power in a world that never gave her a chance.

Their choices sent ripples outward, crashing into our lives—a woman who grew up haunted by survivor’s guilt and a man who thought he didn’t deserve to be loved. And then a miracle happened—Lexi and I found each other.

Epilogue Lexi

When you live by the sea, the end of summer hits like a bittersweet tiredness. That’s how I used to feel when I had to leave the salty breeze and endless blue for the same old routine in my small town. Every summer, a few weeks were stolen away at Lena’s grandma’s beach house. Those days were pure sunshine and happiness. And then I’d feel miserable during the long, sad, and lonely winters of my childhood, especially after it was just my dad and me.

Dad tried his best to fill the empty space left by my mom’s departure and losing a child. He worked hard to make our home feel safe and happy—that’s just who he is. Yet, I always felt hungry for love. He gave me everything he had left, even though his heart was broken. My mom had no room in hers for me, and once she left, there was no emotional connection between us anymore, only occasional money transfers that helped us make ends meet some months.

So, my life now feels like I tumbled straight into a fairy tale. Here I am, in a house by the sea, in the arms of a loving man with a heart as warm as the sun, who just wants to see me happy.

Gabriel’s arm wraps around me, pulling me close as we sit on a sandy hill. Below, the waves crash against the shore in a mesmerizing rhythm. Duke, the ball of fluff I found abandoned, chases after a tennis ball with boundless energy. Six months old and already a walking hurricane! After Vargas kidnapped me, Gabe created a temporary den for Duke in the bathroom. One of his guys then took him to the vet—it turns out he just needed a little TLC and a forever home, which he definitely found with us.

Sunrise strolls with my favorite goofballs. That’s our new normal. We started this on the first day after Anita and Vargas’s case was handed over to the authorities. First, playful wake-up calls from Gabriel, those kisses urging me out of bed for a walk on the beach before breakfast. Even Duke knows the drill now, that furry alarm clock launching himself onto the bed every morning. Coffee’s next, and it’s a hilarious battle between Gabriel balancing a steaming mug and Duke’s happy attacks. Training that lovable hurricane is next on our list.

I might be the slowest one to get moving these days, but Gabe and that furry tornado of a dog won’t let me stay under the covers. Gabriel swears the sun, the sea air, and a lot of love are just what I need to blossom again. He’s not wrong. Turns out, I’m healing with the help of the best doctor I could find.

Coming here was supposed to be temporary—a few nights to hide from danger, appeasing a boss who insisted I needed protection. A week to let Gabriel find the creeps who were threatening me. Three months later, I’m still here. Not just safe under his roof, but safe in his arms every night.

“I’m going back to university. And I’ll start looking for a better-paying job, too,” I tell Gabriel, slipping my arm under his. Lena pulled some strings and got me a temp job as a research assistant after I left Grain Inc. I used to help her out with her documentation for articles, anyway. Now I’m getting paid for it. It’s not much, but it gives me purpose and keeps me focused. Gabriel set up a spot in his living room for me to work from home and lets me use his office when I need to.

“That’s great. I always thought you should go back to school, get a scholarship, and have a career in science or research. You can do so many amazing things with your skills.”

Seeing Gabriel beam about my future makes my heart skip a beat. He pulls me in, his strong legs wrapping around me. The sun glints off his tanned skin, peeking through the ripped knees of his jeans. Today’s a lazy Sunday. We slept in, packed some sandwiches and coffee, and, of course, treats for Duke. We’re sprawled out on the beach, just us, sunshine, and pure love.

For the past few months, Gabriel’s been by my side like glue. He hasn’t been away for a single night, so I guess he hasn’t taken on any new clients, especially not the VIPs or special jobs.

“I’ve decided to change my major. I want a job where I can work with people and put my skills to use. Two days ago, I applied to have my first year of math count toward my first year of financial studies. I’m pretty confident I can catch up in just a few weeks. Maybe I’ll even get a scholarship.”

“Yeah, so you can still use your number skills, just in a different way. That’s great. You’re going to love it. But why bother with the scholarship? You’re rich now. The money should come in soon,” Gabriel whispers in a lazy voice.

“Rich? I don’t think so. My dad has other plans with that money. And I wanted it for him, anyway.”

“You can work with us, the Protectors. We could use your skills. Just think about it.”

“Thanks, but it would look like you’re doing me a favor by hooking me up with a job. I want to be independent and build a career with my skills. I have a dream of my own, you know.”

It’s true. I’ve always wanted to start my company, and now I finally can. After Anita and Vargas were handed over to the cops, Damien helped my dad and me navigate the whole aftermath. Dad didn’t go to the hearing or file a formal complaint; he just left a statement about the accident. He understands why I want to get even, but prefers to put this mess behind him and not spend another day dwelling on it.

After we found and handed over the car, the authorities dove in, and the charges started piling up: causing the accident, fleeing the scene, shooting Gabriel, kidnapping Lucas and me, and attempting to cover their tracks. The investigation into Vargas revealed he was deeply involved in stolen luxury goods and had ties to criminal groups. As for Anita, initially, obstruction of justice for disappearing after the accident was all they could pin on her. Both she and Vargas claimed to have been driving, turning it into a he-said-she-said mess. But one thing was clear—they were both in that car, and their night of chaos was finally catching up with them.

The court ruled in favor of my father and me as victims and ordered a payment of two million dollars for moral damages. I promised myself this would be the last time anyone calls me a victim. Peter paid on behalf of Anita. The state seized Vargas’s estate and will use it to make the moral damages payment to my dad’s account.

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