“Hey.” Jace’s voice cuts in, steady and sharp like steel. “Don’t you dare take the blame for their choices. Toby was a snake long before he turned on you, and Calista was a damn hurricane looking for a place to destroy. That isn’t your burden.”
Beck shakes his head, arms crossed, but his expression softens. “If anything, we should be apologizing to you. We pushed you away, blamed you for things that were never your fault.”
Zane steps closer until he’s right beside my bed, his voice low. “You saved our sister’s life, and your own. You think we’re going to sit here and let you carry guilt on top of that?”
Jace huffs a rough laugh. “We might’ve been born stubborn, but we aren’t stupid.”
Beck adds quietly, “You’re family now, Cole. Whether you like it or not.”
Something in my chest cracks at that—something tight, something old.
Mom sniffles behind me. “Listen to them,” she sniffs, wiping her eyes. “They love Ella. They love Aria. And they love you too. Even if they grunt more than they talk.”
Zane grunts. Jace grunts louder, like it’s a competition. Beck rolls his eyes.
And for the first time since waking up, I almost laugh.
Hank finally comes forward, his firm hand landing on my shoulder. “You didn’t fail my girl. You fought for her. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Zane clears his throat first, rubbing the back of his neck. “Dawson, about what happened. Look, man… I’m sorry.”
Jace steps up next, arms crossed, eyes lowered. “We were out of line. We thought we were protecting her, but… we made everything worse.”
Beck blows out a long breath. “You didn’t deserve any of what we threw at you. And after what you did out there… saving her like that… saving both of you…” His voice cracks a little, and he looks away. “Thank you.”
I stare at them—these men who could level a building with their hands, who could tear someone apart for looking at their sister wrong. And here they are, apologizing to me.
“I get it,” I tell them quietly. “She’s your baby sister. You were scared. So was I.”
It’s the truth. No ego. No pride. Just honesty.
It takes everything in me not to look toward the curtain like a starving man looking at food. The room buzzes with relief and worry and too many bodies in too small a space, and all I want, all I can think about, is Ella.
“Can we see her?” Ava asks the nurse.
She jumps in before anyone else can. “One at a time. Let her rest a bit longer.”
Everyone takes turns checking in on Ella.
My mother squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you’re safe, Cole. But I swear, if I ever see Calista ever again—“
“About that,” Zane interrupts, eyes bright with satisfaction. “They got them.”
“Got who?” I ask.
“Toby and Calista,” Jace says. “They were trying to cross into Mexico, but they didn’t make it far.”
“Ryder caught them,” Beck adds, a hint of pride slipping through his usual calm. “Dragged their asses to the FBI himself.”
Of course, it was Ryder. The ghost brother. The one who appears when things go to hell and disappears just as fast. I’ve never met him, but I’m grateful for him right now.
“They’ll be going away for a long time,” Hank affirms. “Attempted murder, arson, kidnapping—hell, they’ll have a new charge added before lunch.”
Mom makes a furious sound. “Good. Good. I hope they rot in prison.”
“We will make sure of it,” Hank promises her.
The nurse returns then, telling everyone we need more rest, and one by one the Morgans file out. Hank pats my foot on his way—silent but solid. Quinn gives me a small smile, Ava blows a kiss at the curtain separating Ella and me. Even Daisy waves shyly before leaving.
