Page 43 of Oliver

I stood there for a second, watching him go, feeling my heart stretch in all the best ways.

Oliver appeared behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

“He’s a good kid,” he said.

“He’s the best kid,” I whispered.

Oliver pressed a kiss to my neck. “You’re stuck with us now, you know.”

“Good,” I said, leaning into him. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

The kitchen smelled like melted chocolate and maple syrup.

Olly sat at the counter, chin propped in his hand as he watched the first pancake bubble on the skillet. “You’re a way better cook than Dad, but he’s a good cook too,” he said casually.

“Hey! It’s a good thing you added that last part,” Oliver called from the fridge, holding up a carton of orange juice.

Emery laughed as she flipped the pancake perfectly onto a plate. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle breakfast. You two sit and enjoy your breakfast.”

“Done,” Oliver said, stealing a kiss on her cheek as he passed. “But I get the next pancake.”

“You cantry,” Olly said, already reaching for the syrup.

They ate together at the small kitchen table—bare feet brushing under the chairs, mugs full of coffee and milk, the sound of birds outside the window.

For the first time in weeks, everything felt normal.

Safe.

Halfway through her second cup of coffee, Oliver’s phone buzzed on the counter.

He picked it up, scanned the screen, and raised his brows.

“It’s River,” he said, swiping to answer. “What’s up?”

Emery sipped her coffee and tried not to eavesdrop.

That didn’t last.

“Wait. Say that again?” Oliver stood straighter. “Are you sure?”

He listened for a few more seconds, then let out a breath and nodded. “That’s... incredible. Thank you. Yeah, I’ll tell her.”

He hung up and turned to Emery.

“They got them,” he said.

She blinked. “Got who?”

“All of them. The FBI arrested the arms dealers. And the corrupt CIA handlers who were running the whole thing. Turns out they’d been selling military weapons and secrets overseas, pocketing millions.”

Emery set her mug down slowly. “Wait...all of them?”

He nodded. “Victor talked. The men who tried to kill you. Everyone who played a role in covering it up. The phone you saw? That blew it all open. They raided three safehouses this morning.”

Her jaw dropped.

“They said you don’t have to worry anymore,” Oliver added gently. “You’re officially off their radar. You’re safe.”

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