“You think this ends here?” Blood stains his teeth as he laughs. “I still own enough judges to?—”
“To what?” Evie crouches beside him. “To hide evidence that’s already public? To protect allies who are turning on you? Face it, Luca. You’ve lost, just like you lost me. Lost our daughters. Lost everything.”
“Breach teams moving,” Chase reports through comms. “Building secured. Death’s Head retreating.”
“This isn’t over.” Luca spits blood at Evie’s feet. “You’re still mine. Always will be.”
“No.” I pull her close, letting him see. “She’s ours. The girls are ours. The family you tried to break is stronger together.”
Tactical teams flood in, securing him for transport. Through my earpiece, I hear reports of his men surrendering, of Death’s Head’s alliance being exposed, and of an empire falling.
“Status?” I ask Rose as they drag him out.
“Complete success.” She watches him go. “Teams found his records. Offshore accounts. Evidence of every crime we suspected and some we didn’t. He’s done.”
Evie sways slightly. I catch her, feeling fine tremors course through her body.
“Hey.” I turn her to face me. “You okay?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice cracks. “Six years of fear. Of running. Of survival. And now…”
“Now you’re free.” I brush tears from her cheeks. “You and the girls. Finally free.”
She presses her face to my chest, shoulders shaking. I hold her while dawn breaks over Wolf Pike, painting the world in new colors.
Through the window, I watch FBI vehicles roll out. Watch our MC brothers secure the scene. Watch the sunrise on a day I never expected—the day Elena Delgado’s past finally burns.
The day our future truly begins.
The gallery feels different in the afternoon light. Glass is swept away, and windows are boarded until repairs are made. But the weight of truth changes everything, making our sanctuary feel both stronger and more fragile.
Chase works at his station, pretending to sketch while actually watching Rose coordinate with her teams. She moves between calls, her professional mask firmly in place as she dismantles what’s left of Luca’s empire.
“Another account located in the Caymans.” She makes notes as she listens. “Yes, freeze everything. Track all transfers from the last six months.”
Zane lounges nearby, close to Evie’s desk, where she sorts through paperwork. Real paperwork this time—legitimate gallery business separate from the laundered millions.
“The money’s gone.” Rose ends her call, looking tired but satisfied. “Lost in so many shell companies and false trails that even our forensic accountants can’t trace it all.”
“Convenient.” Chase’s tone stays neutral.
“Necessary.” She meets his gaze. “That money bought freedom for dozens of women. New identities. Safe houses. Lives rebuilt.”
“And the gallery’s part in it?” I have to ask.
“Clean.” She hands me a file. “As far as any investigation shows, you were legitimate businessmen who happened to bank at certain institutions. Nothing ties you directly to the laundered funds.”
My brothers and I exchange glances. We spent six months unknowingly helping hide mob money and providing cover for an operation bigger than we imagined.
“Death’s Head is falling apart.” Zane scrolls through messages on his phone. “Their connection to human trafficking exposed. Members turning in evidence to save themselves.”
“Good.” The word comes fierce from Evie.
I study her as she works—her fingers steady on the keyboard, shoulders straight. No more hiding. No more pretending to be less than she is.
“The girls settled at Jamie’s?” I ask softly.
“Safe.” She glances up, something vulnerable crossing her face. “Though Daisy keeps asking when we can go home. When things will be normal again.”