Now I’m sitting cross-legged on the floor of our penthouse surrounded by wedding magazines, fabric swatches, and catering menus.Alexia and Maeve are sprawled on the couch behind me, debating the merits of blush pink versus champagne gold for bridesmaid dresses.Isabella is perched on the arm of the sofa, scrolling through the internet on her phone and occasionally contributing opinions that are far more practical than anything the other two have suggested.
It feels surreal.Normal.Like we’re just four women planning a wedding, instead of survivors of a criminal conspiracy that almost destroyed everything we love.
“I still think you should do the ceremony at our property in Wychmere Harbor,” Alexia says, reaching for another magazine.Dave’s wife has become an unexpected source of support for me.She experienced the worst kind of shadows and came out stronger on the other side.“The views are incredible, and it’s private enough that security won’t be a nightmare.”
“Shelby mentioned that.”I flip through a binder of venue options Maeve compiled.The engagement ring Shelby gave me catches the light, that stunning square-cut diamond surrounded by sapphires that match his eyes.I’ve been wearing it for three days, and I still catch myself staring at it like it might disappear.
Like all of this might disappear.
“Hey.”Isabella’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.My sister sets down her phone and moves to sit beside me on the floor.“Where did you go just now?”
“Nowhere.”I shake my head.“Everywhere.I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.For something to go wrong.”
“That’s understandable.”Alexia’s expression is knowing.“After everything you’ve been through, your brain is still in survival mode.It takes time to believe that you’re safe.”
“Does it get easier?”
She exchanges a glance with Maeve, who has faced her ordeals at the hand of Dracul.
Alexia replies, “Yes.Slowly.And then one day you realize you’ve gone hours without looking over your shoulder or planning escape routes.You realize you finally trust the happiness.”
I want that.God, I want that so badly.
“Speaking of happiness,” Maeve says, “when is your husband getting home?We need his input on the honeymoon destination.”
“He had a meeting at the Syndicate.”I check my phone, finding no new messages.“Something about his new role.”
The transition has been surprisingly smooth.Shelby stepped back from active enforcement operations to head the Syndicate’s logistics division, a position that leverages his tactical brilliance without requiring him to be in the field.He told me it was his choice, that he wanted to be present for our life together instead of constantly disappearing into danger.
The elevator chimes, and speak of the devil, Shelby walks through the door.He’s carrying a bottle of champagne and wearing an expression I’ve come to recognize: barely suppressed excitement mixed with that careful control he maintains in public.
“Ladies,” he greets the room, but his eyes find mine immediately.Something passes between us, electric and intimate.
“We should go,” Alexia says, already gathering her things.Maeve and Isabella follow suit with suspicious speed, as if they’d planned this exit.
“You don’t have to—” I start.
“Yes, we absolutely do.”Maeve winks at me.“Planning can wait.Enjoy your evening.”
They’re gone, leaving behind a tornado of wedding materials and the lingering scent of three different perfumes.
“They’re not subtle,” Shelby observes, setting down the champagne.
“They really aren’t.”
He crosses to where I’m still sitting on the floor and lowers himself beside me, careless of the expensive suit.His hand finds mine, threading our fingers together with easy familiarity.
“How was the meeting?”
“Productive.Dave approved the new security protocols for the businesses, and we’re ahead of schedule on dismantling the remaining trafficking infrastructure.”He pauses, something shifting in his expression.“Ray found another holding location.Twenty-three more victims recovered this morning.”
Twenty-three more lives saved because we didn’t stop fighting.
“That’s good,” I say softly.“That’s really good.”
“It’s because of you.”Shelby turns to face me fully, cupping my cheek with his free hand.“The intelligence you gathered, the systems you helped Maeve build to track the money.None of this would have been possible without you.”
“It was possible because we worked together.All of us.”
