Page 89 of Beautiful Vengeance

“Two,” said Megan, her face set.

“Three,” Kiyomi finished.

They pressed the button together. Amber’s screen went blank, but Megan’s feed from a small drone Amber was operating showed the van as it erupted into a ball of fire.

No one spoke. The only sound in the interior was the crackle of the now burning van.

“That was more humane than she deserved,” Megan finally said.

“But we got our justice,” Kiyomi said. “Valkyrie justice.”

Trinity put her arm around her waist and leaned her head on Kiyomi’s good shoulder. Megan and Amber mirrored the posture. Then Eden and Chloe, and Briar and Georgia.

“So…it’s over,” Chloe murmured, and Kiyomi wasn’t sure if she sounded disappointed or disbelieving.

“It’s over,” Trinity confirmed, smiling even though her voice was rough.

Kiyomi’s throat thickened. She swallowed, blinked against the sudden sting of tears, and glanced around. It was so sudden. So hard to believe. “You guys…”

Megan’s face crumpled. She dissolved into tears and reached for Kiyomi, careful to avoid her bandaged shoulder as she drew her into a gentle hug.

“Gah, now I’m crying too,” Eden said with a soggy laugh. “Ihatecrying.”

Tears rolled down Kiyomi’s cheeks. More arms engulfed her. It still hurt even though everyone was being careful of her, but she didn’t care.

The Architect was dead. Jane was no longer a threat to any of them. People within her circle had either been exposed or soon would be. She would never hurt anyone ever again.

Everyone was crying, even Briar and Georgia. Kiyomi might not know them well, but it didn’t matter. They shared a bond that was unlike any other. They were sisters.

“I love you guys,” Kiyomi said through her tears, wishing she had the use of both arms to engulf these incredible women.

Someone sobbed. She couldn’t tell who, but suddenly she was the center of the group hug, and she was swarmed by Valkyries.

“Watch her shoulder,” Eden said.

“And don’t squeeze Trin,” warned Briar.

“I’m okay,” Kiyomi gasped out, trying to catch her breath. She didn’t even know what she was feeling, but the physical pain was way off in the background. Right now there was only elation. Relief. Shock.

Hope.

A watery laugh escaped her. “Oh my God, we’re finally free.”

“Free,” Trinity whispered in awe, kissing the top of Kiyomi’s head.

It was too incredible to contemplate. Where did they even start?

They all jumped when someone knocked on the side of the van. Everyone scrambled apart, looking embarrassed at being caught unawares.

“Jeez, how sad is that, for someone to catch eight lethal assassins off guard?” Chloe muttered, climbing back up front to get behind the wheel. “Oh, it’s just Marcus.”

Kiyomi reached over to unlock the door and slide it open. Marcus’s scowl disappeared the instant he saw her. “What the hell? What’s wrong?” he demanded, reaching for her.

She stopped him from dragging her out of the van, laughing softly as she wiped the heel of her hand over her wet cheeks. “Nothing’s wrong. Not anymore.” She smiled up at him, dizzy with love and relief. “It’s over.”

His brows drew tighter together. “Why, what—”

“I’ll tell you later.”

---