“Congratulations,” he said. “Dat vas one of the better coups I’ve vitnessed in a century.”
Menace grinned. “Didn’t exactly goas planned.”
Rafe laughed, big and booming. “That’s the best kind. The ones you can’t script.” He leaned in, dropping his voice. “Now comes the real fight. You need to secure the loyalty of every Alpha in your territory. And you’ll need a witch to read them all. Anyone gets clever, you’ll know.”
Kazimir nodded. “My Lucia recommends Eliana Meinhardt. Young, but ruthless. Can read man’s heart like tea leaves.”
The Chairwoman set down her gavel, eyes weary. “You’ll also need a council of your own. The wolves are not used to centralized power. They need the illusion of representation, or they’ll revolt before the year is out.”
Menace accepted it all, the advice and the threats, as if he’d been born for this. Maybe he had. He shot a look at me, checking for signs of breakdown or revolt. I gave him nothing. I was too tired for either.
Juliet, slouched in her chair, piped up. “Don’t forget about us little people. Somebody’s gotta make sure you don’t fuck this up.”
Bronc snorted, then said, “He’ll do fine. He’s got Red. She’s the brains. He’s just the teeth.”
They all laughed, even the Chairwoman. For a moment, the room felt almost safe.
But Kazimir wasn’t done. He raised his glass, eyes glittering. “You are King of Midwest now, Menace. But remember—every throne is just fancy guillotine. Rule well, or you’ll end up like the last one.”
Menace toasted him, unbothered. “I look better in red, anyway.”
Afternoon crawled in, and with it, the realization that the world would not pause for us. There were calls to be made, agreements to be signed, and a thousand details that required attention.
But before any ofthat, Iron Valor gathered one last time. They met us in the lobby—Bronc, Juliet, Wrecker, Doc, Arsenal, Big Papa, all looking battered but whole. Bronc gripped Menace’s shoulder, then pulled me in for a hug that lingered just a beat too long.
“You’re sure you’ll be alright?” he asked, worry peeking out from under the Alpha mask.
Menace nodded. “It’s a kingdom, not a prison.”
Bronc didn’t buy it, not entirely. “Your dealership—”
“My GM will handle it,” Menace cut in. “I’m not selling. I’m just… taking a sabbatical.”
Bronc grinned. “Heard that before. Usually means you’re coming back twice as crazy.”
Juliet grinned too, eyes dancing. “Just promise you’ll help with the Skeeter problem once we know who’s behind it. You’re still our problem solver.”
Menace looked at me, then back at them. “Soon as you call, I’ll come running.”
Wrecker shook his hand. “You need backgrounds on any of those Alphas, call me. I’ll dig so deep their mistress’s boyfriends won’t be safe.” The bro hug and laughter told me he appreciated the reassurance.
Arsenal told him to find the biggest, baddest enforcer and keep him close. Doc had visited our healer. He liked her and told us she could be trusted. That was a huge relief. Of course, Big Papa gathered us all in a circle and prayed over everyone. The tears fell then. I silently prayed that Menace would find a group of men he could trust in our new home.
The group dissolved into hugs and backslaps. It was over too fast. Everyone loaded into SUVs, and that left Menace and Bronc. I knew it was killing him to have his mentor and best friend leave. But I also knew Texas was only a couple of hours away by plane. And we had the miracle of FaceTime now.
I stood with Juliet as these two amazing men said their goodbyes. I didn’t want to let her go, either. “What am I going to do without you?”
“Well,Sawyer,” she laughed.
“Yeah,Julia?” I laughed back.
“Our journeys started out as mirror images didn’t they? And look at where we are now.” I pulled her into the tightest hug. “I sure am glad I have you in my corner.”
“I’ll always be there, girl. You call me if you ever need anything. I love you.” She wiped the tear that had escaped her eye.
I wiped my tears. “I will. I promise. Love you, too.”
When they’d gone, the lobby felt hollow. The silence was deafening.
