Page 187 of Twisted Trails
I choke on my next breath, and Mason squeezes me to him.
“We’re stepping back. Retiring from the sport. Effective immediately.”
The air in the living room seems to disappear.
“And to everyone who was ever on our team or stood by us these last ten years, thank you.”
The screen cuts to black.
That’s it.
Done.
The room is quiet. Likereallyquiet. The only thing Ican hear is the soft thrum of Toulouse’s snores and the muted buzz of my blood in my ears.
Because what the fuck do you say to that?
That wasn’t just a video. It was history being rewritten and lives being ruined in real time. I press my cheek to Mason’s shoulder, and my nose burns.
This is for me, but it’s for him too.
We might actually get to breathe again.
To live how we always deserved to.
Dane turns toward me, eyes still wide, like the video hasn’t quite settled in yet. “That must’ve been a hell of a conversation yesterday.”
“You’d think so,” I say quietly. “But no.Fuck, it wasn’t.”
Does Isaac have that kind of conscience?The kind that makes someone give up everything just because it’sright?
My gaze flicks back up to Mason. He’s still staring at the blank screen, breathing steadily but shallowly, probably trying not to move too fast and break whatever spell this is.
Then there’s a choked sob, but it doesn’t come from him or me.
Jim shoots out of the recliner, his hand pressed to his mouth, shoulders shaking, snapping Mason out of his stupor. He crosses the room to his dad in a few long strides and pulls him into his arms.
“I’m so damn proud of you,” Jim chokes out, gripping his son so hard that Mason grunts. “For hanging in with your head held high until karma came through for you.”
Mason holds his dad tighter. “Thanks for sitting it out with me.”
After a few more murmured words to each other, Jim looks up and sees us all staring, and his cheeks turn pink.
“Fuck, don’t look at me.” He wipes his nose on the back of his sleeve, making me chuckle.
Luc laughs and draws our attention. “Oui, we’re all very proud of our pretty boy.”
There are chuckles around the room as Mason wipes his face and glares at Luc.
It’s over.
The war is over.
Everything hits me so hard it almost knocks me over. Mason, as always, senses it and squeezes Jim’s shoulder before he comes back to Luc and me, wrapping his arms around us both. I press my face into Mason’s chest, which is harder than usual thanks to the chest guard he’s still wearing.
“So damn proud,” Luc whispers to us.
Mason slides his fingers into my hair, pulling at the strands to make me look up at him, a real smile spreading across his face. “Seems like we’re back to somebody again.”
