Page 74 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

But as the first of the bikers began to fall, their confident sneers replaced by grimaces of pain, a realization clicked into place. Each Devil was hit in the shoulder or the hip, strategic shots meant to incapacitate rather than kill.

Andrew.

His position atop the nearby building, combined with his unmatched sniping skills, had turned him into our guardian angel. He was a shadow, invisible and deadly, ensuring none of the Devils got too close to us. I sent a silent prayer of gratitude to him. We needed every advantage we could get.

I could hear the sounds of their pain-filled grunts, their anger boiling over as they tried to figure out where the shots were coming from. It was the perfect diversion.

"Move!" James shouted from his position, signaling for us to get to the car.

With Kai and Finn acting as shields on either side, I darted forward. The night air was filled with a cacophony of anguish, gunshots, and roaring engines.

A few yards away from the car, a stray bullet whizzed past me, it’s close proximity causing a rush of adrenaline. The realization that death was so near, lurking in the shadows, waiting for one wrong move, was sobering.

Kai grunted, pulling me close as Finn unlocked the car. “Stay down,” he murmured in my ear, his voice filled with the kind of intensity only life-threatening situations can create.

The back door flew open, and James was right behind us, pushing me inside. As the tires screeched, and we sped away from the scene, the world outside blurred into a frenetic mess of colors and sounds.

For a split second, time slowed down. We were on the run, our lives hanging by the thinnest of threads, and the relentless pursuit of the Crimson Devils was a persistent nightmare. But in a sudden moment of clarity, I realized that wasn’t it. That wasn’t going to be where our story would end.

Like a symphony reaching its crescendo, the drone of helicopter blades roared through the sky, silencing the commotion of gunshots and engines. Massive spotlights from above cut through the darkness, bathing the entire motel in a stark, white brilliance.

A barrage of SWAT vans burst onto the scene, rolling through with an unmatched momentum that left no room for resistance. They were closely followed by sleek, imposing FBI SUVs, cutting off any potential escape routes for the bikers. The operation was methodical, swift, and ruthless.

The transformation of the motel parking lot was rapid. No longer a battleground, it became a theater of law enforcement. Officers, clad in full tactical gear, descended upon the Crimson Devils, neutralizing the immediate threats with a combination of gunshots and powerful tasers. Those that weren’t instantly subdued were quickly tackled and handcuffed, a sea of black leather and gleaming chrome quickly giving way to dark blue uniforms and the iridescent sheen of badges.

In the midst of it all, the sheer force of everything that was unfolding became too much. Finn and Kai, with their ever-present protective instincts, closed in around me, their warmth providing a much-needed anchor. My knees felt weak, and the weight of the past hours pressed down hard.

I was shaking uncontrollably. Tremors of shock, fear, and overwhelming relief ran through me. Tears, which I'd been holding back for longer than I cared to admit, poured freely now. Encased in the protective circle of arms and the assurance of safety, it felt as though a dam had broken inside me.

"You're safe now," Finn whispered into my ear, his voice breaking through the fog of emotions that threatened to drown me. His grip tightened, as if trying to pull me back to reality.

Kai gently brushed away the tears from my cheeks, his touch gentle yet filled with an intensity that sent waves of comfort down to my core. "We've got you, Julia. It's over."

“Yeah,” James said. “And we’re never letting you go.”

As the last of the bikers were being arrested, the entire place buzzing with activity, it struck me. What just happened wasn’t just a random FBI swoop-in. It was a well-planned, calculated sting, a culmination of all the covert operations, the careful preparation, and the risks that people like James had taken to bring the Devils down.

The nightmare was finally over, and the dawn was sure to arrive.

Chapter 35

Julia

The events of the day left me feeling like I had been trapped inside a damn washing machine, tumbling end over end, then spit out, dazed and disoriented. The motel, the gunshots, the terrifying certainty of impending doom… it all played out in my mind like a horrifying, disjointed film reel.

However, the night couldn't have been more different. It was as though someone had taken the color palette of my life and painted it anew. We found ourselves in one of Miami's swankiest hotel penthouses. High up in the sky, it seemed as if the city itself was laid out at our feet. The skyline stretched out in all directions, skyscrapers rising like glittering stalagmites, their windows shimmering with a thousand different stories. Beyond, the Atlantic sprawled, a vast stretch of black velvet under the moon, the waters twinkling with reflections of the distant city lights.

The penthouse itself was no less impressive. Open-plan, with glass walls offering an unobstructed 360-degree view. Plush velvet couches, a grand piano in the corner, and modern art pieces dotting the space. It exuded luxury. I didn’t need it, but the guys said I deserved it after everything I had endured.

Finn had brought in a tray filled with all my favorites—steak, fries, and a rich, decadent chocolate mousse— for the baby, of course, he’d said with a smile. Kai had run a bath for me, the heady scent of lavender essential oil filling the room. Andrew and James took turns massaging my aching shoulders and feet.

"You guys," I began, an uncomfortable feeling pricking at me. It was too much. I wasn't used to such unadulterated pampering.

Andrew interrupted with a chuckle. "Don’t say a word. Just sit back and enjoy. You’ve been through hell. Besides," he said, winking, "you're relaxing for two now."

James’ face was serious. "Jules, after what happened today... let us take care of you, okay? Just for tonight. Tomorrow, you can go back to your independent self.”

I couldn't help but smile. "Alright," I sighed, mock exasperation in my voice. "If you all insist."

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