Page 137 of Mountain Daddy

He nods. We’re in agreement.

For a moment, he's just a man. Not a mob boss. Not an enemy. Just a father, looking at another father's loss.

“I'll take care of this,” he tucks the photos away. “Make it right with the families. As much as can be made right.”

“Do that.”

He leaves without another word. His guards follow, eyes never leaving us until they disappear into the shadows.

Ivan exhales beside me. “Jesus. I thought we were dead for sure.”

“Not today,” I say, though I'd calculated our odds at fifty-fifty walking in.

We drive back in silence. My mind racing ahead to Lilly. To Chleo. To what this means for us.

Peace.

A chance at normal.

A future that doesn't involve looking over my shoulder every second.

The bakery comes into view. Sugar and Spice. Warm lights. Inviting. Home.

“You should be the one to tell her,” Ivan says as we park. “About the agreement.”

“We'll tell her together,” I say. “She deserves the whole truth. From both of us.”

Lilly's face when we walk in is cautious. Hopeful. Scared.

“Well?” she asks, wiping flour from her hands onto her apron. “What happened?”

“It's done,” I tell her, pulling her close. “We have peace.”

Her body sags against mine in relief. Then she turns to Ivan, questions in her eyes.

“I need to tell you something,” he says. “Should have told you years ago.”

We sit at one of the small tables. Lilly listens as Ivan explains everything. His connection to the Bratva. How he tried to get out. How he came to Fern Falls to start over.

“I kept it from you to protect you,” he finishes. “I'm sorry.”

She's silent for a long moment. Processing. Then she reaches across the table, takes his hand.

“You're family,” she says simply. “That doesn't change.”

The forgiveness in her voice makes my chest tight. This is who she is. Forgiving. Loving. Loyal.

“I'm leaving,” Ivan says. “Going back to Chicago. Just for a while.”

Her hand tightens on his. “Why?”

“To make sure the peace holds,” he explains. “To finish cutting ties. To make a clean break.”

She nods, understanding in her eyes. “And then?”

“Then I find my own Fern Falls,” he smiles. “My own fresh start.”

He stands. Hugs her tight. Whispers something in her ear that makes her eyes fill with tears.

---