Page 102 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

“Z? How long do you think it would take to teach someone something like that?”

It’s not until we reach the threshold of the door that his survival instincts kick in. Garrett thrashes against us wildly, his pleas becoming muffled screams of escalating horror.

I grab a fistful of hair and crank his head back. I stare down into his wild, terrified eyes.

"I don’t know, Levi," I say quietly, as all pretense of civilization begins to crack and fall away. "But, we’re all about to find out. Aren’t we?"

Chapter Forty-Five: Epilogue

Sunny

Itrailmyfingersalong the freshly painted walls, breathing in the scent of new beginnings. Three years ago, I couldn't imagine I'd ever be standing here, let alone a part of creating something so beautiful from so much darkness.

"What do you think, Angel?" Levi's hand slides into mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in that familiar way that still makes my heart skip.

"It's perfect." My voice catches as I take in the warm, welcoming space of the women's center.

Zane appears on my other side, linking his arm with mine. "Hard to believe it's the same building."

The warehouse that once housed Garrett's horrors has been transformed. Where there were cells, now there are counseling rooms. The basement that imprisoned so many women nowholds art therapy spaces and a daycare. Every inch of space is now designed to heal, to protect, to empower.

It had taken me eight months before I could set foot in here during construction. Even then, Zane had to carry me out when it got to be too much—my body remembering what my mind had been trying so hard to forget. It took coming back, again and again, staying a little longer each time—to make this space something more than I remembered.

"Chase did an amazing job with the security systems," I say, pointing to the carefully concealed cameras. "And Jade's ideas for the layout..."

"Speaking of Jade," Levi chuckles, "she's threatening to name the baby after me now."

"Poor kid." Zane smirks, earning an eye roll from Levi.

I lean into Zane's side, watching Levi inspect the reinforced windows. These moments still feel surreal sometimes—being safely held between these two men who'd move heaven and earth for me if I asked.

They've helped me heal, helped me learn to protect myself. It took them almost a year to convince me that counseling would be a good idea. But they never gave up. And they've never let feel alone in any of it.

"Wolf called earlier," Zane mentions. "They found two more of Garrett's old contacts in Seattle. They're cooperating, giving us names of more women who passed through the network."

My chest tightens, thinking of all the survivors we've helped over the past few years—offering them safety while they rebuild their lives. We've helped dozens of women relocate, establish new identities, find therapy and support.

Each success feels like a personal victory over Garrett's legacy.

"I got a message from the construction crew at the house this morning. They’re set to finish the new wing next week," Levi says. "Rex is already claiming the biggest bedroom."

Home. The safehouse has truly come to feel like one. We've expanded it to accommodate our growing family—all of the men I've come to love like brothers, and Jade and Colt with their coming baby. Every night I get to fall asleep between Levi and Zane, and wake up to the chaotic sounds of our family moving through the house.

I still have plenty of hard days. Days when the monsters find their way back to me. Nights when even the steady reassurance and closeness that Levi and Z give me can't keep my skin from feeling too tight and my mind from spiraling. But, it doesn't happen as often as it used to.

In fact, there are times I'm so busy living that I manage to forget.

"Remember when you two could barely be in the same room together with me?" I tease, reaching for both their hands.

"Now we're stuck with each other," Zane deadpans, but his eyes are soft when they meet Levi's over my head.

We make our way through the center's kitchen where Jayce has been setting up cooking classes. The schedule board is already filled with sign-ups for everything from basic nutrition to advanced baking. Next door, the classroom space where Ty and Chase will teach self-defense stands ready.

"Three years ago, I couldn't imagine ever feeling safe. I didn't even know what it looked like." I admit quietly. "Now we're helping others find it."

It's an accomplishment that's been a long time coming.

Levi pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my temple and running his finger over the silver heart necklace he bought me all those years ago. "You did that, Angel. You showed us how to turn all that darkness into something beautiful."

---