“Actually, I don’t,” she said. “Unlike you, I honor my family. You will, however, be taking the fall for all these deaths,” she motioned around the room. “You’ll go to prison for the rest of your life, and you can spend your days in jail thinking about the many, many, many mistakes you made throughout your life.”
“You’re gonna call the police here?” he said. “You’d be dumb to do that.”
“I don’t think so.” A sly smile on her face got bigger. “You’re not the only one with contacts.”
“What do you mean?”
She pulled her phone out and brought it up to her ear. “Got that, Lor?” Then she nodded. “Come on in.”
“The cops will sweep this place as a crime scene,” Vincent said.
“Yeah, and thanks to you, they’ll find nothing,” I said, looking down at him over Avion’s shoulder. “All my illegal records went up in smoke in the place I burned up because you threatened a war.”
“All that’s here are the cookies that Tamryn baked yesterday.”
SWAT in heavy gear entered through the front door, sweeping the place and taking Vincent into custody. Lorie walked in behind them, wincing and shivering as she stepped around all the carnage but then pulled Avion into a big hug.
“I’m glad you thought this was worth it,” Avion said. “These people were innocent.”
“Don’t expect a ton like this from me, but… yeah. I am too.” She looked up at me and put on her bravest face. “You better treat her well! If I find out that you hurt her I’ll… I’ll do something.” She then reached down and rubbed Avion’s stomach. “Send pictures.”
Avion nodded. “I will.” Lorie walked out after that, taking the police with her, and Avion looked after her sadly. “She says that we can’t really be friends because I’m staying with you.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
Avion shook her head. “When I told her I needed her help, and that our baby did too, she didn’t hesitate. Even if we can’t be best friends like we used to be, Lorie will always have my back. I can count on that.”
I grabbed Avion’s hand and pulled her into a side room. “You were incredible.”
She crinkled up her nose and smiled. “I kind of was, wasn’t I? I think I was always supposed to be here. I wish you’d kidnapped me sooner.”
I laughed. “You and me both.”
Tamryn stepped into the room, sweat on her face and blood and grime all over her. “Thank god you’re both okay. Looks like Lorie came through.”
“Yep. I knew she would,” Avion said. “How are Merrick and Kelly?”
“Both stable. Both have a long road of recovery against them.” Then she flicked her gaze up to me. “Did she tell you she blew Milli’s head off?”
“Off?!” I said. “How?”
“I think there’s a little demon inside of her,” Tamryn said.
I set my hand on her stomach and laughed. “I think so too.”
Tamryn’s eyes widened. “No. No!” She grabbed Avion’s hands. “You’re pregnant?!”
“Yeah.”
“I’m gonna be a grandma!” She turned and bolted from the room screaming for Merrick even though he was one floor up and couldn’t hear her.
“Avion,” I said. “I’m not saying that this kind of stuff is par for the course, but it’s more common than you’d think. Not just you, but our baby will have a much rougher life if you stay here. You’ll never be one hundred percent safe. I’ll protect you with everything I have, but--”
Avion stood up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “I love you, Giovanni Raines. Maybe staying by your side will be scary, but not being by it would be worse.”
I smiled and nodded, taking her into my arms. “I love you too. So much.”
She sighed and said, “I guess we probably should go let my dad out now that my brothers are dealt with. Get a move on making up that debt he owes you.”
